Cleaning Copper

When cleaning copper items, whether these are decorative or practical (such as those used for cooking or eating food - copper pots, utensils, plates and the like), there are several important things to take note of to make sure that your copper items are kept in top shape even though you may use them rather often, and for years to come as well.

Firstly, you have to realize that copper is sensitive to some of the components of air itself. It reacts to many of them - pure copper tarnishes, or oxidizes, when it comes into contact with oxygen. When the air in the vicinity is moist, tarnishing of copper items can take place at an even faster rate than when the air is of normal humidity or dry. This means that your copper items must not be stored in damp places; you have to ensure that these items are kept away from moist air in order to reduce the chance that they will tarnish. 

If you are cleaning copper items, you need to know that copper’s tendency to oxidize means that many copper items are initially shipped protected by a certain lacquer. While decorative objects will not need any attention apart from slight dusting and very occasional washing thanks to this lacquer, cooking utensils must be stripped of the lacquer before they are used. You may do so by rubbing them first with cloth that has been soaked in alcohol or acetone. 

Ideally, to prevent tarnishing, copper pots and pans should be cleaned every time they are used. But if despite all your care, your copper items have tarnished, they can still be restored. You can clean and strip your copper items of tarnish by making use of a few ingredients commonly found around the house.

You can try rubbing the tarnished items with lemon halves that have themselves been rubbed in salt. You could also try using either tomato paste or ketchup; a mixture of vinegar and salt; or equal parts of vinegar, salt and flour. For each of these combinations, you will need to thoroughly, slowly and gently rub them into your copper piece using a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the areas which have been stained or tarnished. After having treated your copper piece this way, you will need to rinse it very thoroughly. Lastly, you will need to dry it with a good soft cloth. 

Two final things to take into consideration when cleaning copper items using any of these methods. Firstly, test your treatment of choice on an area that is not very obvious before you try any of these methods out. Secondly, if you are working with items that are of high value, it may be best to consult professional cleaners instead of undertaking any sort of cleaning activity yourself.