Family Encyclopedia >> Home & Garden

Copper objects:how to clean and maintain them?

Copper objects:how to clean and maintain them?

Nowadays, copper has started to invade interiors again, whether as decorative elements or as kitchen utensils. It is a material whose properties and quality mean that it is used in various fields. However, it tends to tarnish and even take on a greenish stain when not well maintained. However, there are very simple solutions for properly cleaning and maintaining copper.

Use baking soda and lemon

Are your copper objects becoming dull and without chips? Baking soda is an excellent product that helps make copper shine. Having proven itself in cleaning the fridge, the tiles or even white shoes, this substance also proves its effectiveness on materials such as copper. Combined with lemon juice, baking soda works wonders on your tarnished copper cookware. To restore their shine, make a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice and a dose of baking soda. Then rub your objects with a cloth soaked in the mixture. Dry the objects with a clean towel and admire the result.

Clean copper with white vinegar

It is true that there are special products on the market for cleaning copper, but products such as white vinegar are just as effective and ecological, and in addition, they are not expensive. To make your copper objects shine with white vinegar, just soak a cloth in the liquid and rub the dull areas with it. If you add a little cooking salt on it, the result will be even better. Before drying the copper object, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with water. On the other hand, white vinegar is also effective for greenish stains that appear on copper utensils that have not been used for ages.

If your objects are in such a state, it is not difficult to restore them to new. To do this, take a basin and mix half a liter of white vinegar and hot water. Then, immerse the copper utensils in the basin and let stand for at least half an hour. Then take a non-abrasive sponge to gently rub the objects to remove stains. When doing this, be sure to wear oven mitts. Once the tools are clean, all that remains is to rinse them with clean water.

Shining copper with ketchup

No, you're not dreaming. Ketchup is also a good way to clean copper without the risk of causing havoc. From today, you will know that ketchup is not only used to sauce your fries or your hamburgers, because it is also able to work wonders on your copper utensils. To achieve this, here is the procedure to follow. Take your tarnished copper items and apply a coat of ketchup to the surfaces to be cleaned. Let the condiment act for a few minutes before rubbing the objects vigorously with a sponge. The last step is to rinse the objects with clean water and dry them with a towel.

Protect your copper objects with a special product

The main enemy of copper is carbonic acid, which is created by the combination of carbon dioxide and humidity in the air. It is impossible to store your objects away from atmospheric pollution, however, you can completely take measures so that they are less exposed to it. You will find on the market a special colorless copper varnish designed to cover and protect copper. Sold in a spray or bottle, this varnish is to be applied in an even coat on the shiny surface of the object.