Joanna and Chip Gaines Use Pickle Juice to Patina Copper—Here’s Why
Updated: May 26, 2022
The star couple showed us how to patina copper using a unique method—but does it make sense?
We’re always on the lookout for easy home upgrades—the cheaper, the better! And who better to clue us in on how to achieve a great look on a tight budget than Chip and Joanna Gaines?
When it comes to interior design, Jo Gaines always gets it just right. Her Fixer Upper houses are a thing of beauty! So when Chip and Joanna dropped this news about how to patina copper, we had to take a closer look.
How to Patina Copper with Pickle Juice
When it comes to her personal aesthetic, Joanna Gaines likes her look a bit more on the rustic side. Think vintage farmhouse style with a modern update. To achieve that look, she needs to get crafty. When new copper accent pieces often find their way into her designs, they don’t have the antique finish she needs. That’s why Joanna uses pickle juice!
The vinegar and salt that make up pickle juice work to patina copper surfaces. Patina, as you may already know, is that green and brown layer that appears on copper over time. By allowing the copper surfaces to soak in the pickle juice, they will patina at a faster rate for that perfect rustic finish.
And that’s not the only thing pickle juice can do for you.
But Wait, Doesn’t Pickle Juice Clean Copper?
Yes! You can use pickle juice to clean the copper bottoms of your pots and pans. But how can it clean and patina at the same time? It depends on how long the pickle juice is used.
If you’re looking to get that patina finish, you leave the solution on the copper surface until you get the desired effect. But when it comes to cleaning, you use a quick solution to clean and rinse for a sparkly finish. You can also use a mixture of lemon and baking soda for less acidity. So no, you won’t patina your surfaces if you’re just doing a scrub and rinse.
Using pickle juice is a great home DIY hack, but there’s plenty more where that came from. Try aluminum foil in your dishwasher to revamp your silverware or waxed paper to keep grease and dust at bay. Everything you need is right under your nose!
