Stained copper tableware looks anything but attractive. But with a few tips and tricks, the good pieces will shine like new again.
Cookware such as pots and pans, but also jugs, mugs, cachepots and vases made of copper can be found in many a household. However, the beautiful shine of copper often fades all too quickly: the metal, which is also an excellent conductor of heat, initially becomes matt, but can also turn darker or green as the copper oxidizes with the oxygen in the air.
Special cleaners
The good news is that the discoloration can usually be easily removed. “There are special copper cleaning pastes*, such as those from the company Spring, which we use ourselves in the store,” says Cuisinarum, a specialist store for tableware and cooking in Vienna. The application is very simple: “Rinse the dishes warm, do not dry – then apply the paste with a damp sponge or rub it in and leave to work for a short time. Then rinse well with warm water and rub dry with a clean cloth – and the copper dishes will shine again”.
Shiny copper tableware thanks to household remedies
However, there are also a few household remedies that can be used to restore copper tableware to its former glory. These include vinegar and salt, for example: simply use around 100 milliliters of vinegar essence per half a liter of water, add a tablespoon of salt and mix. Apply with a clean cloth, leave to act briefly and then rinse with warm water.
Good results are also achieved with lemon: Either cut a lemon in half and sprinkle with salt or squeeze out the juice and mix with a little salt. Rub it into the copper, rinse off after a short exposure time, rub dry and then polish well.
A mixture of buttermilk and salt will also help the copper dishes to shine again.
Hard to believe, but true: Toothpaste is also an effective household remedy for discoloration on copper tableware: Simply apply to the discolored areas, allow to dry and then follow the familiar procedure: Rinse, dry and polish.
The same applies to sauerkraut juice, which is mixed in a ratio of 5:1 with water and a tablespoon of salt. Apply to the copper object, leave to act and so on…
Hands off the dishwasher
However, putting copper pots and pans in the dishwasher is anything but advisable. The high temperatures in the dishwasher and the harsh detergents will cause the metal to tarnish even more. Steel wool, cleaning agents with abrasive particles and the like should also be avoided when cleaning copper in order to prevent scratches on the soft metal. Instead, we recommend using a soft cloth or sponge, warm water and a mild dishwashing detergent for daily cleaning of copper tableware. Don’t forget to dry and polish – and the shine will remain.
Lead image: De Buyer
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