How to clean copper products at home. How to remove green plaque from copper products. Two Quick Ways to Clean Copper Coins

During use and storage, copper products become covered with a dark or green coating. The oxide film is formed as a result of the interaction of the metal with atmospheric oxygen. Heating or using the item outdoors or in rooms with high humidity accelerates plaque formation. At the same time, dishes and decorations lose their appearance and look untidy. In the sailing fleet, most of the metal parts of the ship were made of copper, and there was even such an expression as “scrubbing a piece of copper.”

In addition, the chemical compounds that make up plaque can have harmful effects on human health. Therefore, copper products must be cleaned regularly.

Since ancient times, people have been improving cleaning methods, using both mechanical and chemical methods.

In order to clean copper coins from many years of dirt and oxides, you can use the following methods.

If a yellow coating begins to form on the surface of copper coins, most likely the copper has begun to come into contact with nearby lead. You can clean coins from such deposits by simply immersing them in a ten percent solution of acetic acid. You can prepare it yourself by simply mixing one part of acetic acid with nine equal parts of clean water. After the plaque has dissolved, the coins should be taken out and washed with warm water.

If your copper coins have a reddish coating on them, you can get rid of it with ammonia. Cleaning occurs as follows: coins are dipped into a pre-prepared ammonia solution (ammonia solution) of five percent concentration. After some time, you can observe the reddening of the solution due to the dissolution of the reddish coating.

If a greenish coating begins to appear on copper coins as a result of long-term storage at home, you can clean it as follows: pour one tenth of citric acid into a glass and add water at room temperature to it to the edges of the glass. You need to put your coins in the resulting solution and watch what happens.

Under the influence of an acidic environment, a greenish coating will begin to move away from the walls of the coin and color the entire solution in the corresponding color. As soon as all the plaque has left the copper coin, it must be removed from the glass and rinsed well in warm water. Then it is advisable to polish the coin a little to give it a sparkling appearance.

Nowadays, copper coins are no longer made, but those that were inherited from grandparents now have antique value. This is what makes the question “How to clean copper coins” relevant.

There are several ways to clean copper coins at home, the choice of one of which depends on the color of the coating on the metal surface:

• If the surface of the copper is covered with a yellowish coating, then it is better to clean it with a 9% vinegar solution. You can prepare this solution yourself: you need to mix 1 part vinegar and 9 parts water. After the plaque has completely dissolved, the coins should be removed and washed under running water.
• It is quite possible that there is a reddish coating. It is better to remove such contamination by dipping a coin in a 5% solution of ammonia or ammonium carbonate. It is better to buy them in specialized stores. As the coin itself is cleaned, the solution will turn red. When the coating is completely removed from the surface of the copper, the coins are removed from the container with the solution, washed and dried with a napkin.
• Greenish patina is best washed off with a 10% citric acid solution. The same phenomenon will be observed here as in the previous cleaning method. As soon as the solution turns a characteristic green color, the coins are taken out, rinsed thoroughly in running water and dried.

Cleaning copper coins requires a lot of attention and accuracy, so if you are confident in the high antique value of a particular coin, then it is better to entrust the removal of contaminants from its surface to a professional.

Basic cleaning methods

Despite the positive aspects of using copper products, over time they can develop dark or green deposits, leading to a loss of shine. To return a copper product to its original appearance, you can use some secrets for cleaning it at home.

In order to clean your favorite copper product, you need to take a small container of hot water, add a little of any cleaning product and dip a sponge or soft rag into the solution. Then you should gently rub the copper product with this sponge, and then lower it into another container with clean water. In this simple way you can rid a copper product of minor contamination.

To clean copper items at home, freshly squeezed lemon juice works great. They need to rub the copper product and then rinse with warm water.

You can clean copper using regular tomato ketchup. Squeeze the required amount of ketchup into a deep bowl and lower the copper product into it. Leave for about ten minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly in warm water. An object made of copper will look new.

If a dark stain appears on your favorite copper alloy household item, dip it in a weak vinegar solution, where two tablespoons of table salt have previously been dissolved. Then place the container with the product in the vinegar solution on the fire and boil for ten minutes. Under the influence of acetic acid and elevated temperature, the process of dissolving the oxides that have appeared on the copper will begin.

With the active use of copper kitchen appliances and the constant wearing of jewelry made from this metal, copper is exposed to oxygen, heat and moisture. This leads to the formation of a greenish coating on the surface of the products. It is impossible to prevent the appearance of such a patina, however, there are many proven ways to clean copper without difficulty and special costs.

These techniques will help restore the lost shine to copper utensils and jewelry:

1. Cleaning copper with regular tomato ketchup is one of the easiest ways to make copper cookware shine with renewed vigor. To do this, apply it to the surface to be cleaned and leave for 1-2 minutes. After this, the ketchup is washed off under running warm water and the surface of the product is thoroughly wiped. This procedure will quickly return copper cookware to its original appearance.
2. There is a second option for cleaning copper using tomato paste. You need to dilute the ketchup in a small container with water, immerse the product there and leave for 10-12 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. Then remove the item and rinse thoroughly in running water. However, this method is only suitable for small products.
3. Cleaning a copper basin for making jam is a difficult task for many housewives. The whole difficulty lies in its size: not every house has an even larger container than a basin. However, a way out of this situation was found - you can use lemon juice or just a piece of it. To do this, you just need to rub the stained areas with lemon juice until the stains disappear, and rinse off the remaining residue with plenty of water. You can also clean a copper samovar, inherited from your grandmothers.
4. You can also clean copper at home using the so-called “vinegar test”. To prepare it, you need to mix wheat flour and vinegar in equal quantities. Next, this mixture is applied to the surface of the product and wait until it dries completely, after which the resulting crust is removed along with all contaminants. Copper will acquire greater luster if, after cleaning, you polish its surface with a soft piece of cloth.
5. Do you need to quickly make your copper cookware look presentable? Vinegar is a universal assistant for removing oxide films from metal; it is used to remove contaminants from copper, brass and bronze. To do this, you need to prepare a solution from water and vinegar, with the latter 50%, add 2 tablespoons of table salt and stir until it is completely dissolved. Afterwards, the solution is brought to a boil and contaminated objects are immersed in it. It is recommended to boil for 10-15 minutes, but for severe or old stains, the time can be increased. Next, remove the item from the boiling water, allow it to cool and wash it in cool water. It is important to keep in mind that this method is only suitable for small-sized products.
6. If the dirt does not look scary, then you can use one of the simplest cleaning products for copper products - soap solution. You just need to dilute liquid soap in warm water and wipe the contaminated areas with a piece of soft cloth. Then you should thoroughly rinse off any remaining foam and wipe the surface dry with napkins or cotton cloth.

These simple methods will help remove stains and restore the original appearance of jewelry, interior items, and even an antique samovar at home.

Home Cleaning Methods

The use of natural remedies for cleaning copper objects and utensils from blackness and green oxides involves using various combinations of the following ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda (sodium carbonate), flour, salt, lemon and ketchup. Instructions for use:

Today, the arsenal of tools that can be used to clean copper has expanded significantly. Together with ancient vinegar, sand and wire sponges, a large number of both specially designed products and those adapted by folk craftsmen are used. Among the latter there are some quite unexpected ones.

How to clean copper

• Tomato ketchup. Apply a small amount of tasty seasoning to the stain and leave for several minutes. Rinse off with plenty of water.
• In case of light stains, you can try washing them with a regular gel detergent. The gel is squeezed onto a soft sponge and then applied to a copper object. After leaving for a minute, rub the surface and rinse with water.
• Used for large products, such as a samovar. Cut the lemon in half and rub the half over the surface of the product. Next, clean with an elastic fluffy brush and rinse with water.
• Vinegar dough. Mix vinegar and regular table flour in equal parts. Stir until a homogeneous paste-like mass is obtained. Next, the paste is spread in a thin layer on the surface to be cleaned. After waiting for complete drying, remove the product with a rag or wooden spatula. The product must then be polished with a soft cloth.

If the above methods do not lead to success, use the following method:

• Prepare a stainless steel basin or pan.
• Pour vinegar and add a couple of tablespoons of regular table salt. Stir thoroughly.
• Immerse the item to be cleaned in the solution and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and leave to cool at room temperature.
• Drain the cooled solution, rinse the copper object and wipe dry.

If you decide to clean copper, take precautions. The use of protective gloves and glasses is mandatory. If you dilute vinegar essence, you should ensure ventilation of the room.

Home Cleaning Methods

How to clean copper

Copper utensils and jewelry should be cleaned regularly. With regular care, copper cleaning is carried out by regular washing or wiping with kitchen or sanitary gel. If plaque covers a significant area and cannot be removed by simple means, more radical cleaning methods are used.

How else can you clean copper?

• Citric acid powder is diluted at the rate of a tablespoon of acid per liter of water. Add a teaspoon of table salt and stir thoroughly. Use the resulting solution to wipe away plaque stains using a sponge or cloth. The method is convenient for items that do not fit in the sink: large figurines, door and window fittings, samovars, teapots, etc.
• Black deposits should be cleaned with ammonia. If you have to clean dishes, be sure to thoroughly rinse the utensils with plenty of water. If ammonia enters the human body, it can lead to serious poisoning. In the case when individual stains merge into a continuous layer of plaque, it is better to soak the entire product for one to three minutes.
• It is better to clean red stains with an ammonia solution with a strength of no higher than 10%. Carefully! Ammonia is poisonous. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation.
• It is good to clean yellow and black stains with a mixture based on regular 9% vinegar. To one part vinegar, take one part salt and two parts water. Immerse the item to be cleaned in the tank with the solution and bring the mixture to a boil. Carefully monitor the disappearance of stains - as soon as they have dissolved, stop boiling and allow the tank to cool. Next, the product should be rinsed with plenty of water and wiped dry.

Before you begin cleaning the entire copper item from oxides, you should test the effect of the cleaning composition in an inconspicuous place or in a small area. If the product is effective and does not damage the surface, you can clean the entire product.

When copper objects come into contact with iron objects, in addition to patina, rust may appear on them - flaky iron oxides.

Rust can be cleaned with strong acid solutions. The sequence of operations is as follows:

• Prepare two containers of the same size made of ceramic, glass or stainless steel.
• Wear personal protective equipment: goggles or a clear face shield, gloves and a respirator.
• Pour an aqueous soda solution into one container.
• Pour the acid solution into the other.
• Slowly and carefully, using tweezers or pliers, completely submerge the copper object.
• During the reaction, dark smoke will appear.
• After cleaning the copper object, it should be removed from the container with the acid and immersed in another - with a solution of soda for quenching.
• Rinse and dry the item being cleaned.

In addition to chemical reagents, Coca Cola drink can also be used to clean copper products. It contains orthophosphoric acid. (A good reason to think about whether you should drink such a drink)

Care rules common to all copper products

To ensure that your favorite dishes or exquisite jewelry serve you longer, you should pay attention to the rules, the implementation of which will extend the life of copper products:

1. Copper products should be stored in rooms with low humidity - moisture from the air can accelerate the formation of an oxide film on the surface of the metal.
2. When cleaning copper, you should only use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the metal. Also, do not use abrasive products to clean copper.
3. Do not use copper utensils coated with oxide. The ingress of oxidation products into the body will seriously harm your health, so you should not neglect cleaning products that come into contact with food.
4. It is also not recommended to store food in copper containers - this will only shorten its service life, and it is unlikely to enrich the food with useful compounds. But the content of harmful substances will definitely increase.
5. We must not forget about personal protective equipment. Before cleaning any product, take care of the skin of your hands and wear rubber gloves.
6. It is important to remember that after any method of cleaning copper, it is recommended to boil the products in clean water and dry thoroughly. This will certainly help get rid of any remaining copper cleaner.
7. In order for the dishes to serve longer, you need to polish them more often.

How to make copper products shine

If you simply clean copper, the stains will go away, but the item itself will not shine. A dull surface can be made shiny using one of the following methods:

• Mechanical polishing with newspaper or printed leaflet printed with black ink only. Rub the surface until the shine is restored.
• Wiping with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid. Precautions must be taken: the room must be well ventilated, and the use of protective gloves and goggles or a transparent face shield is mandatory.
• Mix equal parts vinegar, table flour and regular salt. Stir until it becomes a thick paste. Apply the paste to the cloth and polish the surface until shiny. At the end of the operation, rinse the item with warm water.

To restore the shine to copper products, you should regularly care for them. Then it will be possible to do without the use of strong chemicals that are hazardous to health.

Giving original shine to copper products

Often ordinary people are interested in the trivial problem of cleaning copper to give it its original shine. Here are some effective ways to achieve the desired result.

To give copper objects a sparkling shine, they need to be rubbed with a mixture consisting of equal parts of flour, table salt and vinegar essence. After this, the cleaned copper items should be rinsed well with running water and wiped dry.

You can restore the shine of copper objects using ordinary black and white newspaper. Roll it into a small ball and polish tarnished items with it. Everything will shine again!

It is not enough to clean the copper surface of the oxide film; you also need to restore the shine and attractive appearance of the products. There are also several effective ways to do this:

• Crumpled newspaper will not only help get rid of stains on glass, but will also help restore shine to tarnished copper items. To do this, their metal surface is thoroughly rubbed with a piece of crumpled newsprint.
• You can also use salt, wheat flour and vinegar mixed in equal parts. Using a piece of cloth, rub the copper product with this mixture until it shines, after which it is washed off with plenty of water, and the surface of the metal is dried.
• When performing the following procedure, you must equip yourself with a pair of rubber gloves. A piece of cotton cloth is soaked in a solution of hydrochloric acid and the surface of the copper is gently polished with it. It must be remembered that working with hydrochloric acid requires high-quality personal protective equipment and good ventilation in the room.
• Another way to make the surface of copper utensils shiny is to use kerosene and chalk, which you can buy at any office supply store. To do this, the surface of the object is lubricated with a small amount of kerosene, and then rubbed with ordinary school chalk using a soft woolen cloth.
• One of the easiest ways to polish copper products is to use toothpaste or powder. However, cleaning copper requires the same care as brushing your teeth, so you need to be very careful when polishing the surface of the metal.

If you do not clean copper products in a timely manner, they will become covered with a dark coating and stains, and eventually the surface will lose its decorative properties and become cloudy, and timely cleaning of the dishes in which food is prepared must be followed, just as a clean person looks after his teeth, trying do not become a dental visitor.

To prevent this, you need to know how to clean copper and regularly pay attention to the cleanliness of utensils made of this metal. Careful attention and timely cleaning of copper at home will not only ensure beauty, but will also allow copper utensils and jewelry to please the owner’s eye longer.

Causes of plaque on copper

As copper products are used or stored, their shine gradually fades, and they begin to become covered with plaque - oxide films. They have a variety of shades - from dark green to light blue.

There are several main causes of plaque:

• Due to contact with oxygen in the air, the copper surface becomes covered with a layer of green patina.
• Copper jewelry darkens when it comes into contact with skin and sweat secretions. If the copper darkens very quickly, it may indicate a health problem
• Plaque also occurs when there is high humidity or direct contact with water.

Craftsmen often deliberately patina their products, giving them a more antique appearance. This is the so-called “noble patina”

Precautions when cleaning copper

The white coating is also an oxide film. It most often occurs on the surface of copper alloys. Its color is determined by the metals that make up the alloy. This oxide layer can be cleaned using the following methods:

• when the content of other elements in the part material is low, sulfamic acid is used. This potent chemical should be used with great care, limiting the time and area of ​​exposure. Careful adherence to safety precautions is mandatory.
• A mixture of two tablespoons of salt per glass of whey is made. The resulting composition is rubbed onto the surface using a soft cloth. After you have finished cleaning, you must thoroughly rinse and dry the product.
• You can also clean white deposits with regular ketchup. A little seasoning is applied to the item, the acidic environment of ketchup restores its original appearance and shine. After cleaning, rinse with plenty of water and wipe dry.
• A thick layer of white plaque should be cleaned by boiling in a mixture of table salt and 9% edible vinegar. The item is boiled until the plaque dissolves, cooled slowly and washed with plenty of cold water.
• Another way to clean white plaque is a mixture of ammonia and powdered chalk. The resulting thick paste after mixing should be applied to the object and rubbed with a stiff brush. At the end of the process, wash and dry the surface.

To properly clean copper objects, you have to spend a lot of time and effort, but brightly shiny products will be pleasing to the eye.

To preserve the health of people and material assets, you must strictly follow the safety rules:

• When working with chemically active substances, be sure to ensure ventilation of the room.
• Clothing and shoes should be tight and not leave any exposed skin.
• The use of protective gloves and glasses (face shield) is mandatory.
• Do not lean over containers with reagents, especially if a violent reaction occurs with the release of gaseous products and splashing.
• To avoid scratching the surface, do not clean copper products with hard wire brushes or rough abrasives.
• There is no need to keep objects in acidic solutions longer than necessary - in addition to the oxide layer, it is also possible to dissolve the product itself.
• Valuable figurines, coins and decorative items should be cleaned only with mild products. It would be a good idea to consult with experienced specialists.

Timely and regular care will allow you to maintain a beautiful appearance, true color and radiant shine for many years.

How to clean copper from black and green deposits

If you need to clean copper from green and black deposits, use the following methods:

• Moisten the cloth with a mixture of oxalic acid, turpentine and ethanol and wipe the object several times. Ethanol degreases the surface, acid dissolves the oxide layer.
• A mixture of powdered chalk and kerosene is made. Lump chalk should be pre-crushed. This product can not only clean, but also polish copper objects.
• Warm soapy water (or other non-abrasive detergent). The product is completely immersed in the solution and wiped with a thick sponge.
• To clean copper products, you can also use a special composition for cleaning copper coins and medals Trilon B.

Important: Black and green deposits are harmful to health; kitchen utensils covered with them cannot be used for preparing and preserving food.

Determine if your item is made from solid copper. If the item only has a copper coating, you risk damaging it. To clean such an item, simply use warm water with a mild detergent and a soft cloth.

• The easiest way to determine whether an object is copper is by applying a magnet to it. If it is magnetic, then the object is made of another metal and is simply plated with copper. If the magnet does not cling to the object, then it is made of solid copper.

1. See if the item has a varnish coating. Varnish can add extra shine to copper and protect it from oxidation. However, if the varnish coating is damaged, the item may begin to oxidize unevenly. Some of the methods mentioned in this article may cause damage to the varnish.

   Pour water into a saucepan and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda for each liter. The pan should be large enough to completely immerse the copper item. If your item is too large, then you will have to process it in stages.

   Place the item in the pan. If the item you are cleaning is too large, you will have to process it in sections. Place the item in the water; You will need to repeat these steps later to process the other (protruding from the water) parts of the object.

   Bring the water to a boil and boil the item for 30 minutes. If you are working with a large item, boil one side of it first. After 30 minutes, turn the item over on the other side and boil for another 30 minutes.

   • Keep an eye on the water level. The water will gradually boil away. If any part of the item begins to show out of the water, add water to the pan.

2. Take the item and scrub it with the rough side of the dish sponge. Hot water will soften the varnish coating. A rough sponge will allow you to remove it completely. Do not use steel wool for this, otherwise you will scratch the copper.

Beginning collectors and the lucky ones who have found themselves in the hands of ancient copper pennies, rubles, money, fifty kopecks, altynniks or hryvnias, looking at them, wonder: how to clean an ancient copper coin? And, as it turned out, their most common mistake is trying to return the shine to the coin. And this greatly reduces its market value! After all, during the cleaning process, the main thing is not to overdo it and not to deprive the coin of the noble patina that emphasizes its antiquity! Let's try to clean coins at home and not cause damage to our collection.

What a beginner should remember

Of course, it’s better if your rarities are cleaned by a professional, but you can handle this task yourself. To begin with, a numismatist needs to remember that the natural oxides on an ancient copper coin that are dark brown and sometimes black in color are called patina. They cannot be deleted! They not only add value to your rarity, but also protect it from the destructive effects of the environment. Examine the patina - if it is smooth, then simply wash your coin with warm water and wipe with a soft cloth.

Citric acid will help in cleaning coins

In cases where the oxide layer is uneven and thick, it must be removed. Several methods are used for this. First, you should find out how to clean using citric acid, which can be purchased at any supermarket.

• Dissolve three parts of acid in seven parts of water, thus obtaining a 30% solution.
• Place a coin in it and wait no more than 15 minutes.
• As a result of a chemical reaction, cleansing will occur and dirt will rise to the surface.
• If the coin acquires a pinkish tint, it will change in a few weeks.
• After restoration with acid, the coin must be washed in water and soap containing alkali to stop the effect of acid on the metal.

Sometimes the cleaning process may need to be repeated for better results.

Can I use laundry soap?

The collection can be cleaned in another, safer way. Numismatists know very well how to clean copper coins with laundry soap. To do this, grind it on a fine grater and prepare a solution (ratio: 1 part soap and 8 parts water), stirring it thoroughly. The coins are placed in soapy water for two weeks. Periodically put the water on the fire and heat it up without bringing it to a boil. During this time, the dirt from the coins will begin to come off, however, sometimes (especially if the oxide layer is thick) you have to make additional efforts to clean them (for example, brush them with a soft toothbrush), but most often it is enough to wipe such a coin with a cloth.

By the way, with the help of soap it is best to restore antique and Soviet ones produced before 1924. But more modern ones can be ruined by such cleaning!

How to Clean Copper Coins from Greens and Other Stains

In order to rid the collection material of stains, it can be boiled over low heat in oil. A good result can be obtained using petroleum jelly, as it has a fairly high boiling point. Namely, it is required for successful cleaning.

The coins are kept in boiling oil for 10 minutes, just remember to cover the container with a lid to avoid soot. They are then allowed to cool and washed with soap. Be sure to soak the coin in ethyl alcohol for a few minutes to remove the grease. After this procedure, it can take its rightful place in your collection.

How to clean copper coins from oxidation

If a coin is covered with a dark cherry coating of cuprous oxide, it can be removed by immersing the coin in a 15% ammonia solution (instead, a 10% ammonium carbonate solution is used, which is less aggressive towards copper).

Dark green color indicates the presence of copper carbonate. This plaque is removed with the help of (and how exactly was described above). A less aggressive method is to soak coins in kefir for 2-3 hours. Don’t forget to periodically check how the cleansing process is progressing.

Sometimes there are coins that are covered with a pale yellow coating of lead carbonate. This usually indicates that its alloy contains a lot of the mentioned metal or that it has been lying with lead objects for a long time. Such plaque can be easily removed with a 10% solution of acetic acid.

What to do if rust appears on a coin

If you are concerned about how to remove rust from copper coins, you will have to use a slow-acting reagent. This The thicker the layer of rust, the longer the coin will have to lie in the reagent.

And some numismatists advise cleaning with Coca-Cola. This method, although it seems somewhat strange, is nevertheless very effective.

Drying coins after cleaning

After you have succeeded in cleaning the copper coins from dirt and oxides, they need to be dried. To do this, it is best to use paper towels, folded in several layers, and cover your cleaned antique item with another towel on top. Use only soft ones for this - this way you won’t scratch the surface of the coin! By the way, you can completely dry it at a temperature of 100° C. And in order to prevent and slow down the oxidation processes, periodically rub the collection material with crumpled newspaper.

What to do if a copper coin has lost its noble patina?

If you still overdid it or for some reason you had to completely clean the coin, you can restore the patina layer by artificially aging the product. True, cleaned coins themselves acquire a patina over time, but it can look uneven and thereby greatly spoil the appearance of the collection material. In order to avoid this, the coin is degreased and dipped in a 10% hyposulfite solution for 15 seconds, and after drying, it is wiped with a soft cloth. The described operation will help to give the antique an even and beautiful patina.

If you still have little practical knowledge of how to clean copper coins, then you should practice on less valuable items and only then move on to the most expensive pieces in your collection. If the coin has become unnaturally light as a result of cleaning, place it on a sunny windowsill, where within a week it will return to its normal appearance. However, you must remember to turn it over regularly.

If you come across a coin that is affected by the so-called “bronze disease,” then it is better to give it to a professional restorer. This can be distinguished by the oxides on its surface, similar to light green grains. And the coin itself, as a rule, is badly damaged and crumbles if you pick it up.

A few final words

We hope that after reading the question of how to clean copper coins at home, you will not find it too difficult. But I would still like to warn you that you should give particularly expensive and rare pieces of your collection to the hands of a specialist. Otherwise, it may turn out that your rarity is hopelessly ruined.

By the way, paste, salt, baking soda and sand are substances that can cause irreparable damage to the appearance of the collection material. After all, all of these are abrasive substances that can scratch the surface of the coin and, accordingly, reduce its value.

Good luck with your restoration and collecting!

How to clean copper from various types of contaminants so as not to damage the metal and so that it shines again? This question is often of interest to modern needlewomen who make various jewelry from copper, as well as modern housewives who still use copper cutlery and other kitchen utensils made of this metal.

Despite the fact that copper is a fairly plastic and wear-resistant material, it is susceptible to oxidation, so when exposed to moisture, an unpleasant greenish coating appears on the surface of copper cutlery or jewelry. If you cook food in dishes made of oxidized copper, the food will acquire an unpleasant taste and smell, and will also become unsafe for health.

Also, the surface of copper products may darken, so you need to know how you can clean metal from various types of contaminants at home effectively and safely.

Cleaning copper at home

To clean copper at home, it is enough to use the simplest folk remedies. Experienced housewives do not recommend using abrasive household chemicals for cleaning metal, as such products can damage the surface of the product.

Using the example of cleaning a copper pot, we will show how to easily and quickly clean this metal from green deposits, blackness or dust.

Many people are also often interested in how to polish copper at home. For this purpose, you can use a special paste based on trivalent chromium oxide. The texture of this paste resembles plasticine. A piece of GOI paste is rubbed onto the cleaned copper surface, then the copper product is washed and wiped with a towel. You can polish and grind this metal using tooth powder, but finding such a product is quite difficult.

In the table below we have collected the most effective and popular folk remedies for cleaning copper products at home.

In order to polish a copper product for preventive purposes, you can use only fabric, for example, wool or suede. If the copper has darkened, you will have to use additional products. You can find commercial products at your local hardware store that are specifically designed for cleaning and polishing copper and similar metals.

Cleaning copper coins at home is easy; just use one of the methods described above. Collectors also often polish and clean copper coins in melted laundry soap.

Experienced housewives advise storing copper cutlery in special cases, putting a small piece of chalk in there. This way you can protect products from oxidation. It is recommended that the copper should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It is better not to store copper items near heaters and radiators.

If you often wear copper jewelry, try to wash and polish your bracelets and chains after each use. From prolonged contact with the skin, copper also becomes covered with a greenish coating. Moreover, such plaque may remain on the skin.

Having studied in detail all the effective means for cleaning copper, now you know how to keep objects and products made from this metal clean at home.

To clean products made of copper and its alloys (brass and bronze), it is not at all necessary to purchase special cleaning products

In everyday life, we are surrounded by many different objects made from copper and its alloys - brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) and bronze (an alloy of copper and tin). Copper basins, coffee makers, mortars, candlesticks, door handles, plumbing fixtures and a whole range of decorative items. They are incredibly beautiful, comfortable, and practical. But they have one common problem - time does not spare them, and gradually a copper coffee pot, a bronze figurine or a brass door handle begins to become covered with a “noble patina” - a not very aesthetic coating of an incomprehensible nature. Of course, for antique dealers, collectors and other aesthetes, this is a good sign indicating the longevity of the products. But not for us - people who think rationally, who want to get rid of this very patina and other layers, but quickly.

The reason for this behavior of copper and its alloys lies in the aggressive manifestations of the environment. Air is a heterogeneous substance. This is a heterogeneous mixture of gases, containing, in addition to oxygen, a wide range of other inclusions: carbon dioxide, water and acid vapors, hydrogen sulfide. It is they, together with oxygen, that are responsible for the appearance of oxide and salt deposits on the surface of our favorite products. But there is no need to be upset. There are many ways to combat this unpleasant phenomenon.

The easiest way to clean

A small amount of regular dishwashing detergent combined with tooth powder or toothpaste is dissolved in hot water. The resulting composition is used for cleaning products made of copper and its alloys. The method is good, but not always effective enough, especially in cases where a more radical approach is needed.

Table salt and whey

A good way to clean copper, bronze and brass is to treat the product with a whey solution with added salt. A spoonful of salt is dissolved in 200 ml of whey. Then a soft rag is impregnated with this composition and the product is processed, after which the item is washed generously with running water, wiped dry and thus acquires new life.

Lemon juice and table salt

The method using salt and lemon juice gives very good results. The lemon is cut into two parts. Each of the halves is sprinkled with salt and used as a kind of tampon to treat problem areas of the surface of the product. Upon completion of the operation, the item is thoroughly rinsed in running water, wiped dry and polished with a soft, dry cloth.

This method can be improved somewhat. The lemon is squeezed into a small container, and salt is added there in the amount necessary to obtain a porridge-like substance. The product is cleaned with the resulting mixture using a soft rag, then rinsed, wiped and polished with cloth or flannel.

Technology using ketchup

The method is quite extravagant, but it works. Ketchup perfectly removes oxide deposits from the surface of copper alloys. To do this, apply a small amount of ketchup to the product and wait a few minutes. Then the item is wiped with a sponge, napkin or cloth, rinsed under running water and wiped dry, after which it acquires its original appearance and shine.

Some may find this method wasteful. Not at all, any ketchup, even the cheapest, will do for cleaning, and you only need a little bit of it.

Salt, vinegar, flour

A tablespoon of salt is stirred in a glass of vinegar. Flour is added to the prepared solution until it acquires a mushy consistency. The mixture is applied to a copper, bronze or brass product and left in this form for 20-40 minutes. Next, the paste is washed off from the object. The product is wiped dry and polished.

The effectiveness of this method can be increased if you add a little sawdust to the resulting “dough” and, before rinsing, thoroughly wipe the product directly with the paste itself.

Boiling in vinegar-salt solution

This composition can be used without heat treatment, using it for mechanical manual cleaning. But in problematic cases, you cannot do without boiling. To do this, add a glass of vinegar and a spoonful of salt to a pan of water. Next, place the product and boil until the cleaning result is visually noticeable. When the item has cooled, it should be washed well with soap and warm running water.

Paste based on chalk and ammonia

To prepare the paste you will need a 25% ammonia solution, ground chalk and water. The ingredients are mixed in a ratio of 5:2:10. The product is lubricated with the resulting composition and left for 10-15 minutes. Then the item is thoroughly wiped with a stiff bristle brush, rinsed well and wiped dry with a clean soft rag.

Laundry soap

A good effect when cleaning products made of copper, bronze and brass is achieved by using ordinary unbleached laundry soap. Soap 72% is grated on a coarse grater and mixed in warm water. The product is immersed in the resulting solution and left in it for a period of one to three days, after which it is well treated with a brush, washed and wiped. In untreated cases, this procedure can return our products to their original appearance.

Oxalic acid, turpentine, ethyl alcohol

An excellent composition for cleaning and it is easy to prepare: 1 ml of oxalic acid is mixed with 4 ml of turpentine, 5 ml of ethyl alcohol and 1 ml of plain water. The mixture is thoroughly stirred and applied to the object with a soft rag swab. Turpentine and alcohol remove the greasy film from the metal, and oxalic acid neutralizes plaque, the remains of which are easily washed off with soap from the surface of the product.

Kerosene and chalk

This method is especially good for products with a smooth polished surface. The object is moistened with kerosene and rubbed with chalk using a wool or cotton rag. In this way, it is possible not only to remove plaque, but also to restore the former shine of the surface.

Cleaning Copper Coins

Ancient coins, as well as some Soviet ones, which are becoming increasingly popular among collectors, often need cleaning. It is quite possible to restore their original appearance. Bright green plaque is removed with a swab soaked in a 10% citric acid solution. A reddish coating is removed by immersing the coin in a 5% ammonia solution, and a yellowish coating is removed with a 9% vinegar solution.

How to refresh jewelry made of copper and its alloys

To restore the former shine to jewelry or small products made of copper and its alloys, they need to be immersed for half an hour in a boiling solution of soda ash at the rate of 40 g per liter of water. You can polish brass, bronze and copper surfaces with a special mixture consisting of 15 g of tooth powder, 30 g of a 10% ammonia solution and 50 g of water. For these purposes, a piece of cloth or flannel is used.