In the vast world of shiny accouterments, copper jewelry stands out. With its reddish brown tinge and notably gleaming qualities, these have been a must-have for men and women alike. But what if the jewelry begins to fade away and rust?
It might seem like a lost cause, but hold your head up! From lemon juice to baking soda, I’ll give you a few tips on how to clean copper jewelry. So, let’s get started, shall we?
Key Considerations Before Choosing a Cleaning Method
Before you jump into cleaning your jewelry, why don’t you take a look at it first. Some jewelers practice sealing which essentially means coating your bracelets and rings with wax, spray, or liquid sealant.
Also, consider whether your accessories have gems or not. If they do, you should be a little more wary of how you clean them and refrain from using cleaning solutions with acidic properties.
If you’re uncertain about your jewelry and what it contains, ask the original jeweler of the person who manufactured it. They should provide you with some valuable information that will ward off the risk of damaging your jewelry.
Excellent Methods to Clean Copper Jewelry At Home
Now, it’s time to uncover a few of the most effective ways to clean your copper jewelry. So, let’s begin!
Vinegar and Salt
This kitchen ingredient has long been regarded for it’s immense versatility. Apart from adding a zing to your foods, the acidic properties and chemical compounds of vinegar make it ideal for cleaning surfaces too.
If your jewelry constitutes decorative stones and gems, it’s probably best to keep it away from the vinegar. But if it isn’t, here’s a wonderful step-by-step guide you can follow to clean your accessories.
Mix one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of salt in a bowl. Then, gradually add in some flour and salt until it reaches a pasty consistency.
Apply this to your jewelry, especially the tarnished areas.
Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
After that, use warm water to rinse it off and pat it dry using a clean cloth.
Baking Soda
Speaking of useful kitchen ingredients, baking soda is a great choice, too. Vinegar can be a little too astringent and strong, making this a wonderful alternative to it. Here’s how you should use it:
Mix three to four tablespoons of it with a few squirts of water to form a paste.
Use your finger or an old toothbrush to apply this to the tarnished areas of your jewelry.
Rinse the accessories thoroughly and dry them up.
Lemon & Salt
Apart from adding some taste to your dishes, salt and lemon can work together to form a tremendously useful cleaning agent to clean tarnished jewelry. The salt adds some abrasion to the mixture while the lemon absorbs the rust, thus cleaning your jewelry completely.
Here’s how you can accomplish that:
Measure one tablespoon each of salt and lemon juice and mix it in a bowl.
Gently dip your accessories in the liquid and let it sit for a while. The duration depends on how badly your copper jewelry is rusted.
Grab a toothbrush and gently scrape off all the softened-up residue.
Rinse the jewelry pieces and pat them dry using a soft cloth.
Tomato Ketchup
Did you know that the red condiment you drizzle over your fries can also be used to clean jewelry? Although it sounds outrageous, it’s actually a tried and tested cleaning method. What’s more, it only requires the completion of two steps!
Firstly, coat your bracelets and rings in a thin layer of ketchup and let it sit. This will give the natural acids in the ketchup some time to dissolve the tarnish
Then, rinse and buff the jewelry with a jewelry polishing cloth.
Soap and Water Solution
A simple soapy solution should suffice to clean the rust off your jewelry.
Simply mix a few drops of some mild dish soap with warm water and start gently scrubbing your accessories using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse off the lather and dry them up.
How Can You Tell If Your Copper Pieces Are Tarnished?
At times, you may struggle to tell whether your pieces are rusted or not. One surefire way to tell if it’s tarnished is if wearing copper jewelry makes your skin green.
If so, it means that your accessories have reacted with your perspiration. But there’s no need to fret! This is completely natural and doesn’t pose a threat whatsoever. The color will vanish over time.
So, Keep Your Copper Jewelry Clean & Enjoy Wearing it at Your Upcoming Event
So, that’s everything you need to know about keeping your copper pieces clean and forever gleaming. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so keep your jewelry in a waterproof box and store it away until you need to use it. Moreover, regular cleaning is of paramount importance too. Brushing off dirt and wiping off any moisture from the jewelry will save you the encumbrance of dealing with rusted jewelry.
So pay heed to the aforementioned ways to clean your accessories. You’ll be wearing copper jewelry in no time and awing the masses with your exquisite appearance.
