Polishing Copper

Written by Amy Gordon (last updated December 21, 2020)

Copper is a beautiful metal. It may not be as shiny as precious metals such as gold, but if it is used well and placed in the right settings, it can make a wonderful decoration. Just like all the other similar precious metals, it also will tarnish over time. Polishing copper can be a chore, especially when the polish that you purchase fails to make the shine in your copper come out. It is even more frustrating to feel like you have to go to the store you purchase another expensive polish, just to come to the same result.

There is a more natural way to bring the shine out of you copper. It is a simple way, although it may seem a little counterintuitive. The trick is using tomato ketchup. Tomato is a naturally acidic fruit, and the acid will clean your brass quite well. So even though you have to use a thick, red, opaque paste on your brass, it will work better than your transparent copper cleaner. It is both cheaper and more effective than any store bought method out there.

To use tomato ketchup to make your copper clean, simply mix ketchup and water in equal parts in a small bowl. Stir up this fifty-fifty mixture as well as you can, so it becomes a little more liquid than full paste. Take a cloth and dip it into the mixture. Apply the mixture on the cloth to whatever part of the copper you want to make shine, though it is probably easier just to cover the whole object so the shine is uniform. You may let the mixture set for a few minutes. Take either another soft, clean cloth, or at least the clean side of the cloth you are using, and wipe off the ketchup and water mixture. The copper underneath will come out looking better than ever.

Author Bio

Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon loves keeping things simple, natural, and safe so she can spend more time having fun. Every day she learns new things about making life at home easier and she loves to share it with you! ...

MORE FROM AMY

Removing Stains from Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling stains usually occur in the form of water stains, but smoke, cobwebs, dirt, and bacteria can also stain ceiling ...

Discover More

Removing Stains from Clothes

Clothing stains are common, but must be treated differently depending on the type of stain and clothing. Water and liquid ...

Discover More

Don't Waste Money on Expensive Bonsai Tools

Bonsai trees can be fun to grow, but with the cost of trimming tools, growing bonsais can be an expensive hobby. Instead ...

Discover More

Tough Cleaning Jobs Require Brawny! Brawny paper towels provide the versatility you need: the strength for demanding jobs and the softness to clean up your child's messy face. This 24-roll pack of pick-a-size sheets can handle just about every cleaning task in your home. Check out Brawny 24-Pack Giant Paper Towels today!

More Cleaning Tips

Removing Copper Stains

If you have some copper stains left by pipe water on the floor of your shower, or at the bottom of your sink, never fear. ...

Discover More

Restoring Copper Sinks

Since copper sinks are metal, their patina will invariably change color over time. This is a normal and expected process ...

Discover More

Cleaning Copper Jewelry

Copper jewelry can easily tarnish but can just as easily be cleaned back to its original shine. Following these steps ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 8 + 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.