Time to Clean and Polish the Copper
My collection of copper pots and pans above my kitchen island always looks so beautiful after a good cleaning.
Last week, my housekeepers took on the task of cleaning and polishing many of the copper pieces I display in my Bedford, New York home. Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with a distinct pinkish-orange color. It's used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material, and as a popular metal for cookware and other home decorating items. Over time, copper loses its luster and acquires a tarnish when exposed to air, so it is important to clean it regularly - my copper is cleaned every few months.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I display lots of copper pieces in my kitchen. Here are some of the copper molds I keep on the lower island shelves. They were just removed from the shelves, so they could be cleaned. Copper was actually one of the first metals used by humans more than 10-thousand years ago, and it remains a common household material today. Polishing copper, silver, brass, or any other metal a few times a year is generally sufficient to keep it in good condition.
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- Experts recommend using a good-quality, non-abrasive commercial copper polish. I’ve been using Wright’s metal creams for years. Wright’s Copper Cream is a gentle formula that cleans and shines – it’s also great for brass.
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- Wright’s Cream is also an anti-tarnish formula that leaves behind a protective coating to delay any tarnish from reforming.
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- Whenever cleaning any precious metal, always use a soft moistened sponge. A soft cloth can also work well. And, for tight areas – a soft-bristled brush is good to have on hand.
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- After a quick rinse with regular dish soap and water, Enma covers the pot with cream, carefully rubbing it all over the piece. We always place a terry cloth towel on the bottom of the sink, so the metal doesn’t bang against any surfaces.
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- Be sure to completely coat the piece with cream. The copper will start to brighten as it is rubbed. Then give it another thorough rinse.
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- Here is another mold with a different shape and more deep crevices. Enma starts with the sponge.
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- And then uses the brush to get into the tighter spaces. It may take a little longer when cleaning a piece with more intricate designs, crevices, or indentations.
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- After rubbing the piece with cream, wash it with dish soap and water to ensure all the cream is removed. Then, wipe the piece thoroughly with a soft cloth and see how it shines. Never place any copper in the dishwasher. The detergents’ aggressive chemicals, combined with the washer’s high cleaning temperature, will eventually cause any copper surfaces to dull, so hand-wash all copper molds, pots, and pans instead.
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- It doesn’t take long to see the shine coming through as a piece is rinsed – this mold is waiting to be dried. And always dry the copper right away with a soft towel to avoid any watermarks.
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- Here’s a smaller mold getting cleaned. Be sure to use polishes that are non-abrasive, and opt for formulas, such as creams and gels instead of sprays. It’s also a good idea to use gloves when taking on this task, so the cleaning cream does not come into contact with the skin. Carlos ensures every part of the box is rubbed clean, and then rinses and wipes it completely.
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- And look at it after. This task can be time-consuming, but it is well-worth all the work and elbow grease.
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- Here are the copper items that were cleaned and returned to the shelf. All of them are shining. The copper returns to its original luster very quickly.
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- Here are items still to be cleaned and polished – notice they are darker and less shiny.
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- Carlos moves onto the copper pots and pans hung above the island on a very large commercial pot rack.
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- After rinsing and applying cream onto the bottom and sides of this pan, Carlos uses the soft-bristled brush to get around the handle base, where it is harder to clean with a sponge.
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- On another pan, Carlos uses a bottle brush with a more pointed end to get behind the handles.
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- In this photo, the pots on the left have been cleaned and polished while the pieces on the right have not.
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- Another method for cleaning copper is chemical-free – just use lemon juice and salt. For ratios and more details, go to “How to Clean and Polish Copper” on my web site @marthastewart.com.
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- And lastly, after cleaning and drying, Elvira carefully hangs the pots and pans back on the rack.
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- Here is the rack with all the newly cleaned and polished copper nicely returned to their hooks.
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- If you want ideas for how to display and store your collection of copper, be sure to refer to “The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything” – a great source of inspiration and ideas.
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