One of the most versatile and durable metals on the market is copper. It’s used in a wide range of jewelry applications, but slow exposure over time can tarnish copper jewelry.
In order to lengthen the lifespan of the copper, you need to learn how to clean copper jewelry properly.
As it begins to corrode, the copper turns a greenish color. This layer coats the surface of the metal and loses its luster that is so appealing for use in jewelry.
So what’re some of the ways you can learn how to clean coppery jewelry? Let’s discuss eight tips that’ll keep your jewelry pristine and shining for years.
1. Easiest Way How to Clean Copper Jewelry
White vinegar is your best friend when it comes to cleaning copper jewelry.
Fill a small plastic or glass cup with water and add in some white vinegar. When you place the jewelry in, make sure it’s completely submerged in the concoction.
You can add additional salt to the mixture as well. Some applications have found the addition of salt helps the process overall.
Leave the jewelry sitting in the water for a few minutes. Once removed, rinse with cold water and pat dry.
To make the copper pop again, add a coat of thin car wax, let dry, and buff with a soft cloth to achieve your desired look.
2. Ketchup for Small Areas
A classic table condiment can be used for small areas of tarnish on copper jewelry.
Take a small amount of ketchup and rub it over the tarnished areas on the copper piece. This should be anywhere from a thin to a moderate amount of ketchup.
This process takes 15 minutes to sit before it’s complete. The jewelry can then be rubbed with a non-scratch pad and the ketchup washed off.
3. Commercial Cleaner Use
Using a substance made for this process is a great alternative.
Commercial copper cleaners come in a variety of options. But you need to make sure you understand your jewelry’s make up.
If the jewelry has an added patina, don’t use the commercial polishing cloths. This could rub off the patina on the copper completely.
Avoid using powder type commercial cleaners. These aren’t made for use with jewelry.
4. Lemon Lime
When life gives you lemons, use it to clean copper jewelry.
A lemon or lime can both be used during the cleaning process. It doesn’t matter which you use when cleaning copper.
After choosing, cut your choice in half and sprinkle half of it with salt. Rub that all over the copper item until it’s clean. You’ll need the rough side of a sponge as well to rub off access material.
For a glistening polish, use some beeswax to complete the process.
5. Salt, Vinegar, and Flour
A lot like our first option, salt and vinegar are back for this method.
The process starts the same by placing one tablespoon of salt and a cup of white vinegar into a container. Add flour until the substance is a paste.
Once you’ve worked the concoction to the right consistency, spread the paste onto the copper jewelry. You should target the tarnished areas specifically when using this application.
Now it’s time to wait. Fifteen minutes should pass by before you rise the jewelry with warm water and proceed with polishing.
6. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Like the lemon example above, exchanging the salt for baking soda is an effective way how to clean copper jewelry.
Create a paste with the lemon juice and baking soda at a 3:1 ratio. In order to ensure you’re not scratching your jewelry, make sure the baking soda is dissolved completely.
Rub the paste onto the copper item. Begin cleaning with a cloth until the grime is loosened and then wash away and dry immediately.
7. Preserving Copper Jewelry
All of these methods above have been about cleaning up your jewelry, but what about preserving that clean? There are a couple of things you can do to prevent the copper from turning your skin and itself green.
The best method of preserving the jewelry is to apply a coat of car or jewelry wax to the piece itself. This coating will wear off over time, but won’t flake. This all depends on how much you wear jewelry.
Gemstone Copper Jewelry is especially important to keep clean. In order to restore protection after time, buff the jewelry a bit with a soft cloth and reapply the wax.
One of the easiest ways to preserve your jewelry is by wiping it off with a soft cloth after wear. Oxidation is the biggest proponent of the green color left on your skin.
Wiping it clean can help eliminate the oils and sweat your skin can leave on the piece.
There are also a couple of other methods you can use if you’re in a pinch as well.
8. Last Ditch Effort
If you’re truly out of options, there are two other ways you can prevent your copper from turning your skin green.
These should be used as a last-ditch effort, but applying clear nail polish and spraying the jewelry with clear sealer are options. This shouldn’t be done on a consistent basis because of the jewelry’s desire to flake. Make sure you’re cleaning your copper jewelry properly and preserving it afterward. You’ll be surprised how long it will last over time.
Quality Clean Fashion
Now that you know a few great options on how to clean copper jewelry, capitalize on care.
It’s important to care for your jewelry when you’re making an investment. These simple tips and tricks will have you well on your way, but what about the other pieces of fashion?
Don’t fret. Our website is chock-full of helpful information no matter what you’re looking for.
We’re constantly looking to update and provide more. Reach out with any additional information you’re interested in.