Buzz
Many people love showcasing their copper cookware by hanging it in the kitchen. However, that initial pride can quickly fade as the pots begin to lose their shine. Copper can easily change color due to exposure to heat, air, and humidity. This process, known as oxidation, occurs when copper interacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, causing the metal to lose protons and turn a deeper shade of orange. Over time, oxidation can even create purple and blue streaks, and if neglected, blue-green "salts" will appear on your copper cookware [sources: American Chemical Society, Britannica]. But don’t worry—cleaning copper like a pro is simple and doesn't require complex methods or expensive chemicals. Here’s how to clean your copper cookware and coins effectively.
Cookware Care
- Rub salt onto the cut side of a lemon. Gently scrub the tarnished area with the salted lemon. The salt acts as a scrubber while the lemon works as a natural cleanser, effectively removing tarnish.
- Squeeze a lemon, then mix the juice with some salt. Apply the mixture to a cloth and rub it onto the tarnished copper. The combination of lemon juice and salt will clean the tarnish away.
- Fill a larger pot with water and add salt and vinegar. Bring the solution to a boil, then carefully place the tarnished copper item into the boiling mixture. Let it sit until the tarnish disappears, then rinse the item with warm water.
Cleaning Copper Coins
- Mix salt and vinegar to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the coins using a toothbrush. Allow the paste to sit for a while. For heavily tarnished coins, leave the paste on overnight.
- Rinse off the paste, and your coins will shine like new [source: Martha Stewart].
