Cleaning Bronze, Copper and Brass Accessories
As you know, sunnafissijewelry has recently launched a new bronze line. So we decided to give you an article on how to maintain your bronze accessories.To keep the bronze as good as possible, clean it with a soft cloth before putting your bronze jewelry in a special box or bag. In this way, body fat that can cause bronze to be eaten will be removed from the surface of your jewelry. As you know, oxygen in the air causes oxidation and changes in the surface of bronze; Therefore, it is recommended to put your jewelry in a plastic bag in the package, but before that, dry it completely, because moisture causes the bronze to combine with oxygen and oxidize sooner.
Contents:
- vinegar, flour and salt
- How to clean bronze, copper and brass items with a lemon
- Ketchup for cleaning copper
- Boiling as a way to clean copper, brass and bronze items
- Household cleaners and special agents
- Cleaning precautions
Despite the beauty of bronze in accessories, As time goes, copper, brass, and bronze, like any other metals fade and change color. Copper is gradually getting dark in contact with air, and because of water the copper surface is becoming bluish-green. So how to take care of copper, brass and bronze items?
In fact, it’s not as difficult as it might seem. There are many ways to make your copper accessory shine again and look as good as new.
In this article, from the series of articles on sunnafissijewelry website, the most common methods of cleaning copper, brass or bronze accessory are given:
vinegar, flour and salt
The oldest and most famous means of cleaning copper, brass and bronze is vinegar. Here is the recipe for the natural cleaner: mix salt and flour in equal proportion and add as much vinegar as needed to prepare a thick paste. Wipe your copper or brass item by this mixture with a soft cloth until it starts shining. Then rinse the paste off with water and drain the article thoroughly.
Cleaning bronze, copper and brass accessories with Vinegar and salt
How to clean bronze, copper and brass items with a lemon
Another proven method of cleaning copper, brass and bronze items: wipe the article with half a lemon, rinse with water and wipe it dry. You can also make a mixture of lemon juice and soda or salt, apply it on the surface, polish it with a soft cloth, rinse with water and drain the surface.
These methods are effective because the acid in vinegar and lemon juice removes the oxidized patina from the copper and brass surfaces, and salt and soda work as soft abrasives.
Lemon will make copper and bronze shine again,Lime can be used instead of lemon
Ketchup for cleaning copper
Using ketchup as a cleaner is not only the most original, but it’s also quite an effective method. Yes, indeed, all you need is ketchup! The acid, contained in tomatoes, helps to clean the copper surface. Everything is as simple as in other natural ways: apply ketchup on a copper or brass item, rub, rinse off with water and drain the surface.
Ketchup is good for cleaning copper
Boiling as a way to clean copper, brass and bronze items
If the above methods do not work, you can mix 1 glassful of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt, 3 or 4 cups of water in a large saucepan and bring the liquid to a boil. Put your copper or brass item into the saucepan and boil it until the tarnish disappears. Then you will most likely need to rub it a little more but, in any case, it will take less time and effort
Boiling water will help you to clean a small copper, bronze and brass thing
Household cleaners and special agents
As an alternative to traditional methods of cleaning bronze, copper and brass accessories, you can use an ordinary household cleaner, dissolved in water. However, this method will not be helpful to get rid of the natural patina, as it is suitable only for removing fat, dirt and dust.
Special cleaning agents for bronze, copper and brass items are available on sale today. These are acid concentrates, with the detailed application instructions.
You can buy cleaners and special cleaning agents from any chemical supply shop
Cleaning precautions
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN USING ACIDS! WEAR GLOVES! DO NOT USE HARD AND SCRATCHY BRUSHES – THEY CAN LEAVE SCRATCHES! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN USING SPECIAL CLEANING AGENTS. If you have a question about taking care of any copper or brass items, write to us!