How to Clean Copper Bracelets

Clean copper bracelets according to the condition and finish. For the last forty years, manufacturers have sealed copper bracelets to prevent oxidation. These items should remain tarnish free with only occasional use. Older pieces may lack a protective finish or have spots where the lacquer has eroded. Look at the surface of each bracelet. The piece is lacquered if it looks dull, but is in good condition otherwise. It is not sealed if spots of corrosion appear to be rising to the surface. If the piece looks more like copper plating, one where the flecks have fallen away, then the lacquer is merely peeling. Clean copper bracelets with these methods.

Things You'll Need

• Dishwashing liquid Vinegar Flour Salt Cloth Baking soda Tongs Copper cleanser Polishing cloth

Instructions

1. Wash lacquered copper bracelets with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Be sure to rinse the bracelet before drying it to avoid accumulating soap residue.

2. Make an acid-based paste to clean copper bracelets with a slight tarnish. Get rid of red and brown stains by combining 1 tbsp. of vinegar, 1 tbsp. of flour with 1 tbsp. of salt in a container. Stir the contents and work the paste onto the bracelet by rubbing briskly with a soft cloth. Rinse and then air dry.

3. Use a baking soda solution to clean copper bracelets with moderate tarnish. Eliminate black spots by stirring 1 tbsp. of baking soda into 1 qt. of boiling water. Dip the jewelry into the simmering water for 10 minutes. Remove the bracelets with tongs and wipe them briskly with a cloth before rinsing.

4. Apply a commercial copper cleanser to lift severe tarnish. Use a product, such as Brasso or Copper Glo, to remove blue-green copper carbonate. Dab a penny-sized amount on an old cloth and rub the bracelets until clean then rinse. (See tips and resources below.)

5. Polish copper bracelets with a copper buffing cloth when clean. Use a cloth specifically designed for copper, such as Blitz Copper Shine, as opposed to silver cloths which may not be as effective.

Tips & Warnings

• It is possible to substitute ketchup for the paste. The tomato product will clean the copper in a similar fashion because it contains the same ingredients. It's just messy. Store clean copper bracelets in a plastic bag. Add a packet of silica gel to help reduce moisture, if possible. To remove stubborn lacquer, dip the copper jewelry in a bowl of acetone for one hour. Then rinse the pieces with soap and water. Remember to test the product on an inconspicuous area.

• Always use commercial metal cleansers in a well-ventilated room and wear protective gloves. Some cleansers contain ammonia, which reacts with copper and produces a toxic gas. Commercial cleansers may also alter gemstones. Do not be alarmed if bits of slime rise to surface when using the baking soda solution, they are lacquer fragments. As with other abrasive cleansers, salt causes minute cuts on the metal's surface, which speeds the rate of oxidation. So clean with paste only as necessary.

Resources

• Copper Development Association
• Reader's Digest Jewelry Cleaning Tips
• Penny Collector