Cleaning Copper - Vinegar/Salt Method

I have seen numerous posts asking about cleaning copper. Some guys get more money for clean copper than dirty/tarnished copper.

There are many ways to clean copper.



There is Muraitic acid but that is some nasty stuff and I don't recommend you using it. Its hard to dispose of and you need to wear some bulky safety equipment to work with it safely.

There are other cleaners but you still have chemicals and some are quite expensive.

With my method you can clean your copper with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. Vinegar and table salt.

Recipe:

1 gallon white vinegar. $2.00

1 1/3 cup iodized table salt. (about 1/2 a 26oz container) a 26oz container is $1.00 here.


Add both ingredients in a bucket or basin and stir to dissolve the salt.

Insert your copper.

Wait about 1/2 hour.

Pull your copper out and rinse with clean water having a rag available to rub the pipes a little will also aid in cleaning.


*** If you don't rinse your copper will turn a blue green color as it dries. ***

You can use this solution for quite a few pipes.


Below is an example of what this amazing cleaner can do.

I took a piece of pipe, came from an AC unit, put one end in the cleaner for 5 minutes and rinsed off, then put the other end in for 15 minutes and rinsed off.




My suggestion for you is to try it and see if its worth the effort in your situation, maybe it is and you will make more money, but maybe it isn't and its not worth the time, only you can answer that question.

I am only offering this as a possible method, as always do this at your own risk. I am not going to be responsible for anybody getting injured or property being damaged by the use of this cleaning method.

Good method CMHN, I have used coca cola myself. Always good to know different ways though.

CMHN, what all will this clean off of the copper?

Not a bad method, and like you mentioned, this is common every day kitchen stuff.

Another question...do you add water to the mix, or just the ingredients that you mentioned?

@racer_bio: I haven't used this method to clean wires at all, never had the need to try. I have used it to clean pipes and solid copper pieces.

@GeorgeB: It will clean the oxidation off the copper, it will also clean some dirt and grime but I don't know how much it will actually clean off. I only use the ingredients that I specified, I don't dilute it with water at all.


You have to make sure you rinse the copper well with clean running water. If you don't the pieces will turn green right away.

Originally Posted by CMHN

@racer_bio: I haven't used this method to clean wires at all, never had the need to try. I have used it to clean pipes and solid copper pieces.

@GeorgeB: It will clean the oxidation off the copper, it will also clean some dirt and grime but I don't know how much it will actually clean off. I only use the ingredients that I specified, I don't dilute it with water at all.


You have to make sure you rinse the copper well with clean running water. If you don't the pieces will turn green right away.

I booked marked this thread, so I will definitely dry this in the near future. Almost anything you get anymore has copper and brass some where on it.

If your yard penalizes you for "dirty" copper then it's time for a better yard cause their just playing with your money!