How do I Clean Copper and Get a Recycle Price?
Cleaning and selling copper can bring you extra cash. Cleaning copper with warm water, baking soda and flour brings out its natural luster. Once cleaned, find a scrap yard with professional grade scales to measure your copper. As of August 12, 2011, scrap copper worth is $4.01 per pound, according to Metal Prices. Recycle copper through a junk yard or by selling it outright -- whichever method works for you.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tablespoons mild dish soap
- Plastic bucket
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- Large pot
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 cup flour
- Small bowl
- Clean cotton cloth (2)
- Old toothbrush
Instructions
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Put hot water and dish soap into a plastic bucket. Soak your copper in the solution for up to 10 minutes. Soaking the copper cleans and softens any lacquer on the copper surface.
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Combine 1 tablespoon baking soda for every 1-quart of water into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Add the copper to the water. Keep the copper in the boiling water for up to 30 minutes. Boiling removes all layers of lacquer.
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Mix the salt, white vinegar and flour to a small bowl. Wet a clean cotton cloth with the mixture. Rub the mixture onto the copper's surface. Rub with the grain of the copper. You can also scrub the mixture into the surface with an old tooth brush, if necessary. Wipe the copper clean with a second clean cloth. The mixture acts as a buffer polish to boost the brilliancy of the copper.
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Take your copper to a professional scrap yard. Weigh your copper on professional grade and tested scales to determine how much you will earn for the recycled material. Stay updated on the price of scrap copper by visiting the Metal Prices website to ensure you have accurate rates.
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References
Resources
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