Learn how to clean copper cookware without scrubbing and no harsh chemicals! That copper surface is going to shine like new with hardly any work!
Years ago I picked up a huge pot rack at Lowe's on clearance. I hung it over my island in the kitchen. It sat empty for a few months until my sister bought me a set of copper bottomed pots for my birthday. They were so pretty and shiny and looked fantastic hanging from my pot rack. After a couple of months, they didn't look so pretty anymore. They were tarnished and black in some places. I didn't even want to hang them up anymore.
Then someone told me how easy it is to clean them. Making your copper pots shine like new again only takes a few minutes and is fun to watch. With no scrubbing and no chemicals, they instantly start shining again.
While there are commercial copper cleaners such as Wright's Copper Cream and Bar Keepers Friend I would much rather use household items I have on hand. Not only is it natural, but also much cheaper.
This is the easiest way I have found to get the job done without too much elbow grease. Some talk about using ketchup or tomato sauce, but that takes a lot of extra time.
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Both of those contain weak acids so it can take longer. Using my way you don't even have to scrub. You watch the layer of corrosion and tarnish melt away!
Table of contents
Why Does Copper Tarnish?
Copper tarnishes due to a natural chemical reaction between the metal and the surrounding environment, usually oxygen and moisture.
This reaction forms a layer of layer of copper oxide on the surface of the metal, resulting in the darkening or discoloration we know as tarnish.
The good news is that those dark spots and the ugly finish is totally a natural process, but it's only on the surface of the copper. Meaning you can easily restore copper items when this happens. Corrosion can also occur and is usually red or green. Some call this patina.
Does Your Copper Have a Protective Coating?
Before you begin cleaning copper, you need to know if it has a lacquer finish (if your pots and pans are really old, they probably don't). This is a protective layer that keeps the copper from getting that yucky brown tarnish and shouldn't be scrubbed away.
If it does have this finish, do not use our natural solution. Instead, wash with mild dish soap and water, then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
What You'll Need
- lemon juice - I use bottled juice because it's cheaper. You can also use fresh lemon juice.
- salt- just regular old table salt will work.
- small bowl
- soft cloth - you can also use a sponge, but I preferred my microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Copper Pots and Pans Using Natural Ingredients
Before cleaning the tarnished copper portion, be sure the inside of the pots and pans are free from stuck-on food.
Simply wash them with warm water and dish soap. Be sure to dry them completely. If the bits of food are really stuck on, add warm soapy water and let it sit for about 20 minutes, then hand wash and dry.
Then, you can start to mix up the solution to clean the copper.
In a small bowl start by measuring a tablespoon of lemon juice. Next, add a tablespoon of salt to the bowl.
Use a spoon to stir the mixture into a paste.
Use the microfiber cloth and dip it in the mixture. Then you can use the cloth to spread the paste over the entire copper surface.
Below you can it working instantly!
If there is a dark area that is worse, allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Then give it a gently scrub using a circular motion.
Wash the paste off, then dry completely.
Tips for Maintaining Copper Kitchenware
- Never use bleach or abrasive sponges (like steel wool) to clean copper pans or a copper sink. This can cause scratches, especially with too much pressure.
- I do not recommend putting copper pieces in the dishwasher.
- Always dry copper completely before storing. This reduces the oxidation process.
- Use a soft sponge for daily cleaning.
- I recommend using the mixture on the copper exterior as most copper cookware contains a tin lining so cooking ingredients do not react with the soft metal and leech into food.
- I keep this task on my kitchen to-do list when I start to notice the discoloration so I don't have to scrub hard.
Common FAQs
Not usually. Because white distilled vinegar contains acetic acid many use this as an alternative for cleaning. The acid reacts with the copper, in turn removes the tarnish and oxidation from the surface of the pan. However, we do recommend leaving copper in white vinegar for extended periods.
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This is such an easy 10-minute task to keep your copper pots looking clean. The best part is you don't have to use any nasty chemicals that you may not want to use on cookware.
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