Copper is a soft metal and the best conductor of heat of all the metals. That’s why professional chefs would never be without copper pans and utensils in their kitchens.
However, it does require more care than other cookware to keep it clean and hygienic.
But, do you know how to clean copper pots and pans?
Life Daily investigated the options and recommends using only natural materials, because commercial copper cleaners often contain harsh chemicals.
You must never use cleaners containing bleach to clean copper cookware; bleach is corrosive and will cause tiny holes to appear on the surface.
Another benefit of not using commercial products is price. All the materials we suggest you probably already have in your home.
Before starting, you need to remove any mineral build-up by washing the copper in regular washing liquid; make sure you dry thoroughly.
Now you’re ready to use our suggestions for cleaning your copper items:
1. Vinegar and Salt
Rub a mixture of 1 tablespoon of table salt and 1 cup of white vinegar onto the copper with a soft cloth and rinse. Alternatively you can immerse the tarnished copper in a pot of 3 cups of water and the salt-vinegar mixture. Boil until the grime and tarnish comes off. When the copper is cool, wash it again with washing liquid and water; rinse and rub with a soft cloth.
2. Ketchup
And you thought ketchup was only for burgers of french fries! Well, a small amount of this common kitchen condiment can be rubbed onto tarnished copper and it will restore its natural luster. Then rinse and dry.
3. Lemon Juice and Salt
To clean copper pots and pans, and less fragile copper pieces, cut a lemon in half, add salt to the cut side and rub gently onto the item.
4. Baking Soda
Combine baking soda with lemon juice to clean copper naturally, or sprinkle just baking soda onto a cloth and polish the tarnished copper.
It’s also possible to make a combination of the above ingredients. For example, you can make a paste with lemon juice, and equal parts salt and non-oxidized cornstarch or baking soda.
5. Flour
Another way to clean heavily tarnished copper is to add flour to the salt and vinegar mixture. Spray the mixture on, and add flour directly to the object. Rub this paste into the copper with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Allow it to sit for 10 – 15 minutes then polish with a dry cloth.
Important : Take the time to thoroughly dry the copper after cleaning. Otherwise you’ll be left with a clean, but watermarked, object.
To keep your copper shiny longer, you can spray or polish with lacquer.
So you see, you had the ingredients for cleaning copper all along – you just didn’t know!
Do you know of any other ways to clean copper?
You can tell our readers by using the comments feed provided below.
