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We took your query straight to Google search and typed in "clean copper." This routed us past sites about cleaning supplies and equipment, straight to some tried-and-true copper-cleaning advice. Unfortunately, we had no idea if you want to clean a copper penny or a copper pot -- the principles are the same, but the techniques vary somewhat. We found several pertinent posts from That Home Site!, a great resource for those of us with chaotic, less-than-perfect homes. Several suggestions were archived on the Antiques and Collectibles Forum. Someone wanted to clean an antique copper boiler and found that off-the-shelf solutions didn't do
the job. Here's a summary of the homespun advice that was posted: - Polish with Bar Keepers Friend and fine steel wool. Use plenty of elbow grease. Keep the kettles extra bright by washing well with soap and water after polishing.
- Dip half a lemon in kosher salt and rub well. Then polish with a soft cloth and beeswax for a deep, lasting copper shine.
- Table salt and vinegar remove oxidation from copper.
- To clean a copper kettle or boiler, you need to remove soap scum and hard water deposits as well as oxidation. Although a lightly oxidized copper piece can be cleaned with salt and lemon or vinegar, steel wool or a buffing wheel are required for heavy-duty copper cleaning.
- Once your piece has a good shine, spray with a brightening product to maintain
the clean, bright finish. Dust occasionally and wipe down with a cold, damp cloth.
Another search result took us to a DoItYourself.com page about copper cleaning, care, and repair. We learned that a coat of lacquer can be applied for protection to non-cookware copper. We confirmed that lemon halves dipped in salt are great for removing tarnish from copper cook pots, and that acidic foods, like fruit and fruit juice, tomatoes, or vinegar should never be cooked in copper-clad pots. If the copper is heavily tarnished, clean vigorously with a commercial product, then spray with protective lacquer. Look out for the corrosion known as bronze disease, it can affect
copper also.
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