How To Clean Copper Naturally to Remove Tarnish

Copper is a lovely addition to a home’s decorating style or cookware, but I was hesitant to clean my tarnished copper canisters from my grandmother until I learned about this genius trick! You can get them shiny again with our tips on how to clean copper home décor like a copper sink or copper-bottom pots and pans.

Copper items seem to be everywhere these days from copper pots to light fixtures and other home décor accents.

The one problem with copper and most metals is that over time, air causes copper to tarnish. While tarnish can bring a certain beautiful patina in some surroundings, brilliant copper also lends glam and warmth to a space.

Who doesn’t love a good upcycle?

These canisters are maybe 60 (or more) years old, so I was very careful in choosing a natural method that would not damage the copper pieces and I have found the one!

Cleaning Copper Naturally & Fast Experiment

Having several canisters allowed me to do some quick experimentation about the best way to restore copper. All of these methods work well on both solid copper and copper plating.

Although I will go through all the methods I tried, if you just want the BEST ONE…Skip to the bottom (Method #3) for the instructions.

Before we go through each method, sometimes what looks like tarnish may be grease or grime. These methods won’t clean under the grease, so you have to remove it first. Try cleaning copper with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to remove any dirt.

Method #1: Removing Tarnish with Ketchup

After my experiments in best methods for cleaning brass, I was not too thrilled to try this one out. The recipe goes like this: slather ketchup all over the copper piece and watch the copper oxide disappear.

Another Method is to use lemons. The results were very similar to the ketchup, so I will lump it in here. To naturally clean less fragile copper pieces, cut a lemon in half, sprinkle salt to the cut side and gently rub the mixture onto the item. The table salt speeds up the process. You can also make a paste with lemon juice, and equal parts salt and baking soda.

Conclusion – The ketchup method did work, albeit very slow and messy. I am convinced that this worked only because of the vinegar present in the ketchup. Plus, who wants to waste all that ketchup?

Method #2: Copper Cleaning Agents

Metal Polishes like Brasso or Barkeeper’s Friend do work well in removing tarnish on copper pots and pans, but there are some cautions. They may etch or dull delicate surfaces. Test a small hidden area first.

1. Sprinkle some of the cleaner in a container and mix with a bit of water until a paste forms.
2. Rub the copper surface with a soft cloth and the mixture to remove tarnish.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Conclusion – This method actually worked beautifully, but the cautions and the scrubbing were definitely some drawbacks compared to the best method. I would probably use this method for cleaning copper pots and copper-bottomed pots.

Method #3: Salt and Vinegar

And here is the easiest and most effective method I tried!

To clean heavily tarnished copper pieces:

1. In a large pot boil 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 5 cups water (double if you are cleaning larger items).
2. Place the tarnished copper in the boiling water with tongs. As the copper oxide is removed, turn the piece to a new spot.
3. You can also ladle the water bath over the piece for hard-to-reach areas. If needed, use a soft toothbrush to get into crevices to remove grime.
4. Once all the tarnish is removed, make sure to clean the copper piece thoroughly with warm water. Vinegar and salt can speed up the collection of tarnish.

If you just want to freshen up copper rather than remove heavy tarnish, you actually don’t need to boil the vinegar, just mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 tablespoon salt and rub with a soft cloth.

How To Keep Copper from Tarnishing

It’s pretty darn impossible to completely avoid exposing your copper items to oxygen and water. There is only one way to really seal metal so that it stays bright and shiny.

1. You can apply a lacquer coating that will seal out water and oxygen. Make sure to do several even, thin coats so it is completely coated well. This won’t work on items exposed to heat like pots and pans or copper sinks.
2. You can apply a thin coat of oil to slow the process. Some commonly used oils for preventing tarnish are linseed oil, baby oil, mineral oil, and beeswax. A high-quality car wax can also be applied for items that are strictly for display. If you are coating something that you handle often use to cook or store food, be sure to use an oil that is safe for consumption.

So, there you have it! These canisters were the perfect mix of function and a bit of style in the kitchen. And now anytime you see copper or other metals in yard sales or the thrift store, you may be able to bring it back to life.

Looking for more ways to bring your bring your favorite items back to life? Check these out:

• How to Clean Tarnished Brass
• The Best Recipes for DIY Glass Cleaner
• Antique Trunk Makeover with World Maps
• Printable Whole House Deep Cleaning Checklist

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