How to Clean Copper

Know how to clean copper -- from pans to furnishings -- and make your clients' copper accessories shine!

Copper is a long-lasting metal that brings a stately look to any home. But it tends to tarnish over time, turning black or green and hiding its natural beauty. If you're looking for a safe and effective method for cleaning copper on all kinds of surfaces (copper kettles, copper pans, fixtures and more), follow these easy steps.

1. Protect yourself. You'll be working with cleaners and solvents when cleaning copper, so you'll want to make sure that you're wearing a good pair of rubber gloves and perhaps even some eye protection. You don't want to get metal cleaner on your skin. Below there are some techniques so you'll know how to clean copper with less caustic methods.

2. Clean the copper. While there are many chemicals on the market that will return copper to its former glory, they usually don't come without a risk. Caustic chemicals are especially harmful and should be used with extreme caution. There are other safer methods for cleaning copper. Here's how to clean copper using non-commercial methods.

• Flour, vinegar and salt. Make a paste of flour, salt and vinegar. Gently spread it over the entire surface area of the copper and allow it to sit for at least an hour. If gravity seems to be working to your disadvantage, keep the paste on the copper by wrapping the item in plastic wrap. Then simply remove the wrap and paste and rinse in clean water. (The acid in the vinegar works to dissolve the tarnish.) You may need to repeat this process for more severe tarnishes.
  
• Lemon and salt. You can easily renew the look of your copper pots and pans by using a lemon and some salt for abrasion. Simply cut the lemon in half and dip it into a bowl of salt. Then just rub in onto the tarnished copper and its shine will return in no time.
  
• Vinegar and water. If your copper item is small enough, you may be able to soak it in a cleaning solution, saving your hands from scrubbing. Fill a large bowl or bucket with 1 part vinegar, 3 parts water and a handful of salt. Fully submerge your copper material into the bucket and allow it to sit for a few hours. When you remove it, it should be sparkling and clean.
  
• Cola. Believe it or not, cola contains enough acid to eat away the tarnish on your copper. You can try scrubbing some of this onto your copper with a clean cloth, or submerge your copper piece in a cola bath overnight, or for a few hours. You will be greeted with a fresh and shiny pan in the morning! (Rinse well -- cola is sticky!)

3. Rinse thoroughly. As with all cleaning methods, whether you use a commercial metal cleaner or another method, you'll need to rinse the copper thoroughly after using any type of cleaner. Leaving anything acidic on a copper surface for an extended amount of time will damage the surface of your copper. A warm or hot water rinse is essential.

When you've properly cleaned copper, it will return back to its brilliant orange color. It should be shiny and squeaky clean. Any dull copper surface needs another cleaning application to remove residual cleaners and tarnish.

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