Chemical Free Copper Cleaner

$5
Easy
I love finding copper pieces at yard sales and antique fairs. Although some of those pieces may not look as though they have been loved over the years, I have found that with a little elbow grease the aged look the pieces acquire can transform to become the beautiful copper pieces they once were.
I did not want to use store bought chemical cleaners, so in a search for an easy, chemical free way to polish I came across this simple recipe and gave it a try, the results were amazing!
Copper before cleaning
Inexpensive cleaner: salt, a lemon, and rubber gloves
Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on 1/2 a lemon. Put on your rubber gloves
Rubbing the copper with the lemon and salt removes the tarnish. Spots that are a darker will need a little bit more work than general light tarnish.


After rubbing the entire piece, rinse with clean water.
Dry completely and voila! A copper piece that looks new again. I have found that this will keep the copper clean for about 3 months.


No excuse to have tarnished copper any more
Karen Gray-Plaisted
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Linda churchey Linda churchey on Dec 16, 2019

    I have been collecting copper for 30+ years and have used every cleaner that is on the market and all the other natural cleaners. I want to share with you the BEST one I have ever used. 1 cup of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt and flour enough to make a paste. As you are spreading this on your copper, it is working!! I have included a before and after picture.

  • Daisy@TX Daisy@TX on Mar 31, 2020

    I use a grapefruit in place of lemon. I know it works!

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