How to Clean Copper and Restore its Shine

by Maria April 17, 2021, 1:53 am 1.5k Views

Pots, pans and plumbing – you probably have lots of copperware just in your kitchen, don’t you? It’s also a popular metal found in art pieces, rare coins and rain chains. But keeping its burnished glow intact can sometimes be a harrowing task. Read on for some easy hacks for cleaning and removing tarnish from your copperware.

Copper is the oldest metal used by man and dates back almost 10,000 years. Everyday items like water vessels and hand mirrors were made from copper in ancient Egypt.

Cut to the present and copper still ranks number one, owing to its versatility. Its unique combination of properties makes it best for electrical wiring.

hefs around the world highly regard copper cookware, as it has the highest heat transfer among cookware materials.

It also offers uniform heating, which means it cooks food evenly. According to one study, copper is a proven antimicrobial material that kills germs on contact, making it an even better choice for cookware.

Cookware and ornaments made from copper exude quality, comfort and beauty, thus giving out an inviting vibe. Tarnished copperware not only appears dull but can also mar the charm of its surroundings.

Using natural cleaners to polish your cookware is healthier and more pleasant than using their chemical counterparts. A lovely bonus is that you don’t have to make any specific arrangements or purchase a special ingredient – everything you need is right there in your kitchen!

We tried varying combinations of vinegar, salt, lemon and baking soda to clean a copper water jug, all of which worked with some nuances in the results.

Vinegar, salt and flour paste worked like magic – the best remedy by far.
Just vinegar and salt also worked well, but the lemon-salt combo worked better.
Ketchup was quite a handy remedy, but loses points owing to the mess it creates.
Baking soda and lemon works okay, but you’ll need to put some muscle into it.

So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to restore the shine of your copperware.

Method 1: Use Vinegar, Salt and Flour

before after cleaning copper

A salt, vinegar and flour paste is the best method to remove the most stubborn tarnish from copper. With the help of the salt, acidic vinegar cuts through the surface corrosion. Salt also acts as an abrasive agent. But the magic ingredient seems to be the flour. For the most part, it acts as an abrasive agent. Your copperware will surely end up with a new shine with this method.

Things you’ll need:

things need to clean copper

Salt (abrasive agent)
Flour (acts as abrasive)
White vinegar (acidic properties)
Towel

Step 1. Make a paste of salt, flour and vinegar

make a paste with salt, flour and vinegar

Put some flour in a bowl.
Add an equal amount of salt to it.
Pour enough vinegar into the bowl to make a spreadable paste.
Mix the ingredients completely.

Step 2. Brush the copper surface with the paste

brush the copper with vinegar, salt and flour paste

Using a brush, coat the entire surface of the copper item with the paste.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Step 3. Buff the copper item to remove the tarnish and restore its shine

buff copper to remove tarnish

Scrub the copperware with a towel to completely remove the stains and reveal a perfectly shiny copper surface.
copper after cleaning