Copper Care Guide

Preventing Tarnish

As copper is exposed to the air, it oxidizes and changes color on the surface. Your trellis will tarnish faster if it is exposed to higher humidity or if it is handled more frequently. If you don't like the tarnish, just follow the steps below to remove it!

Keeping your trellis shiny

While copper will not rust, it will tarnish over time. Tarnishing is a natural process in copper. Just think of all the different colors of pennies. The fresh new ones are a light pink, almost rosy color. As they get older, they turn brown and more dull. And the super old ones are sometimes green! While the patina can be a beautiful accent to the piece, if it isn't your style, it can be shined up using the steps below:

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Spray some of the mixture on a towel and sprinkle some salt on the surface. Gently rub the surface of the trellis until it is shiny. Rinse immediately after.

2. Neutralize the vinegar by mixing baking soda and water. Rub on the surface of the trellis and rinse immediately after.

3. In order to keep your trellis shining for longer, apply a thin coat of mineral/baby oil.