Comments on: How to Clean Copper http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/ How to clean anything and everything! Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:15:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Cheryl http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-70909 Cheryl Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:11:51 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-70909 I am trying to clean a copper patina bathroom sink. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? I am trying to clean a copper patina bathroom sink. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

]]> By: JJ Johnson http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-69541 JJ Johnson Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:26:16 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-69541 Simplist way to clean copper jewelry that is not coated..............simple soak in ammonia and polish with a soft cloth. Simplist way to clean copper jewelry that is not coated…………..simple soak in ammonia and polish with a soft cloth.

]]> By: John http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63976 John Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:47:29 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63976 This method works great for almost any metal that gets the undesired tarnish. Simply rub a layer of toothpaste on the metal, then firmly rub with a soft cloth. Repeat the process until the desired shine takes form. Smells way better then ketchup or vinegar, and works amazingly well. This method works great for almost any metal that gets the undesired tarnish. Simply rub a layer of toothpaste on the metal, then firmly rub with a soft cloth. Repeat the process until the desired shine takes form. Smells way better then ketchup or vinegar, and works amazingly well.

]]> By: Lee http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63587 Lee Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:19:55 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63587 The ketchup idea works beautifully (and smells better than vinegar). Half an hour is about right, just before it dries, and a very thin layer is all you need. I thought it would be a waste of a perfectly good condiment, but lo and behold, beat everything else I tried. The ketchup idea works beautifully (and smells better than vinegar). Half an hour is about right, just before it dries, and a very thin layer is all you need.

I thought it would be a waste of a perfectly good condiment, but lo and behold, beat everything else I tried.

]]> By: Susan http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63533 Susan Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:15:59 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63533 Todd, Thank you for sharing your experience. We have edited the post to reflect the new information. Todd,

Thank you for sharing your experience. We have edited the post to reflect the new information.

]]> By: Todd http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63514 Todd Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:46:42 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-63514 Boiling isn't the best idea... I followed the above directions, but only boiled it for an hour and 20 minutes because it was starting to lose its color. Sure enough, when I took it out, most of the copper color had turned into a silverish color... I thought the pots were ruined... somehow the lining from the pot I was boiling them in must've transferred onto the copper because when i scrubbed w/ lemon, salt, and steel wool, the top coating came off and the copper was still there. Note: The lining from the other pot is now screwed up. I suggest avoiding the "boiling method", unless someone knows of a safe way to do it. Boiling isn’t the best idea… I followed the above directions, but only boiled it for an hour and 20 minutes because it was starting to lose its color. Sure enough, when I took it out, most of the copper color had turned into a silverish color… I thought the pots were ruined… somehow the lining from the pot I was boiling them in must’ve transferred onto the copper because when i scrubbed w/ lemon, salt, and steel wool, the top coating came off and the copper was still there.

Note: The lining from the other pot is now screwed up. I suggest avoiding the “boiling method”, unless someone knows of a safe way to do it.

]]> By: Robert http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-34495 Robert Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:20:27 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-34495 I have a set of Chimes. All the front chimes in the rack (17) are brass. The back (9) chimes are made of copper. They are all about 2.5 inches in diameter and are from 3' long to 6' long. They are over 70 years old. What would be the best way to clean them without damaging them? I have a set of Chimes. All the front chimes in the rack (17) are brass. The back (9) chimes are made of copper. They are all about 2.5 inches in diameter and are from 3′ long to 6′ long. They are over 70 years old. What would be the best way to clean them without damaging them?

]]> By: Bridget http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-33073 Bridget Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:25:29 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-33073 Squeeze lemon juice onto copper and then rub. Lemon juice has citric acid so that cleans the copper. Squeeze lemon juice onto copper and then rub. Lemon juice has citric acid so that cleans the copper.

]]> By: Anniegirl http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-21047 Anniegirl Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:24:22 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-21047 Can anyone suggest how I can remove paint splatters off of the copper that is over my Bay Windows, on the outside of my house? Can anyone suggest how I can remove paint splatters off of the copper that is over my Bay Windows, on the outside of my house?

]]> By: Ann http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-15374 Ann Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:24:43 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-15374 How do you clean copper jewelry that had a protective coating that has worn off in spots? How do you clean copper jewelry that had a protective coating that has worn off in spots?

]]> By: Lana http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-8798 Lana Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:57:37 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-8798 I use the blue scouring pads and it WORKS. Awesome! I use the blue scouring pads and it WORKS. Awesome!

]]> By: Bill S. in Fort Lauderdale http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-3560 Bill S. in Fort Lauderdale Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:45:27 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-3560 I saw this on TV and thought it was crazy but tried it. Use tomato ketchup to clean the copper bottom of pots and pans. I spread it thinly over the copper bottom. I left it on for about 1/2 hour, rinsed it off and my extremely dirty, discolored pan bottoms were like new. The bottom was shiny copper. I saw this on TV and thought it was crazy but tried it. Use tomato ketchup to clean the copper bottom of pots and pans. I spread it thinly over the copper bottom. I left it on for about 1/2 hour, rinsed it off and my extremely dirty, discolored pan bottoms were like new. The bottom was shiny copper.

]]> By: Alice http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-2788 Alice Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:26:32 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-2788 For cleaning windows, mirrors, or just about any surface, mix a T. of corn starch in 8 oz of water. Spray and wipe with a clean soft cloth. Amazing and easy, inexpensive and no chemicals. For cleaning windows, mirrors, or just about any surface, mix a T. of corn starch in 8 oz of water. Spray and wipe with a clean soft cloth. Amazing and easy, inexpensive and no chemicals.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-730 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:30:05 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-730 Some silver cleaners, the kind you dip silver in to remove tarnish, also work on tarnished copper. If what you're trying to clean is too big to dip, you can put on a pair of chemical-proof rubber gloves and use a cloth dipped in the tarnish remover to clean your copper instead. Some silver cleaners, the kind you dip silver in to remove tarnish, also work on tarnished copper. If what you’re trying to clean is too big to dip, you can put on a pair of chemical-proof rubber gloves and use a cloth dipped in the tarnish remover to clean your copper instead.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-729 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:29:45 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-729 Lemon juice and vinegar may be great for cleaning copper, but you shouldn't cook things that have a lot of acid in them in a copper pot. The chemical reaction between the acid and the copper causes copper to leach out into the acidic food being cooked, and too much copper is toxic to humans. Modern copper cookware is usually lined with something else to prevent this from happening, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Lemon juice and vinegar may be great for cleaning copper, but you shouldn’t cook things that have a lot of acid in them in a copper pot. The chemical reaction between the acid and the copper causes copper to leach out into the acidic food being cooked, and too much copper is toxic to humans. Modern copper cookware is usually lined with something else to prevent this from happening, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-728 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:29:13 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-728 You probably already have some of this under the sink somewhere - if you don't, get some! Since the copper you're wanting to clean is probably rounded instead of flat, pour a little BKF powder onto the counter next to the sink. Dip a wet dishrag into the powder, then carefully clean the copper with it a small section at a time. Rinse the copper clean and then buff it dry so it will shine. Don't let the copper air dry, that can leave spots or give birth to more tarnish. You probably already have some of this under the sink somewhere – if you don’t, get some! Since the copper you’re wanting to clean is probably rounded instead of flat, pour a little BKF powder onto the counter next to the sink. Dip a wet dishrag into the powder, then carefully clean the copper with it a small section at a time. Rinse the copper clean and then buff it dry so it will shine. Don’t let the copper air dry, that can leave spots or give birth to more tarnish.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-727 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:28:47 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-727 I use these to clean my copper pots, although I wouldn't use them for cleaning antiques. Just get some of those steel wool pads that have the blue soap inside them. Wet the pad, then gently scrub the copper clean. Thoroughly wipe or rinse off the blue soap, then buff the copper dry with a soft towel. I use these to clean my copper pots, although I wouldn’t use them for cleaning antiques. Just get some of those steel wool pads that have the blue soap inside them. Wet the pad, then gently scrub the copper clean. Thoroughly wipe or rinse off the blue soap, then buff the copper dry with a soft towel.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-726 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:28:30 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-726 This is the old standby, it cleans a lot of things. The easiest way is to cut a lemon in half, dip the cut end in salt and scrub the copper with it, reapplying salt to the lemon half as necessary. You can use vinegar and salt instead, but it doesn't work any better than the lemon juice and smells infintely worse. This is the old standby, it cleans a lot of things. The easiest way is to cut a lemon in half, dip the cut end in salt and scrub the copper with it, reapplying salt to the lemon half as necessary. You can use vinegar and salt instead, but it doesn’t work any better than the lemon juice and smells infintely worse.

]]> By: C. Twanya http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-314 C. Twanya Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:36:56 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-copper/#comment-314 Polish your copper with a combination of white vinegar and salt... just watch the tarnish disappear!! Cheaper and much safer than all those expensive and toxic copper cleaners in the stores. A heavy layer of tarnish might require a repetition of this process but your copper (especially copper bottom Revereware pots and pans) will end up sparkling like new!! Polish your copper with a combination of white vinegar and salt… just watch the tarnish disappear!! Cheaper and much safer than all those expensive and toxic copper cleaners in the stores.

A heavy layer of tarnish might require a repetition of this process but your copper (especially copper bottom Revereware pots and pans) will end up sparkling like new!!

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