Cleaning Copper in My Studio Kitchen
My collection of copper pots and pans, with its shiny rose-gold hue, 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 that are now displayed in my newly renovated studio kitchen located in the guest house of my Bedford, New York farm. 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.
Enjoy these photos and tips, and please read my story on the renovation of this kitchen in the September issue of our flagship magazine, "Living" - it's on newsstands today!
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- Before starting any chore, always get all the supplies ready to use. There are several ways to clean copper. 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. We also get out our gloves, sponges, brushes, and drying towels.
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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. It is easy to use and comes in a creamy paste form.
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- I have a lot of copper pots and pans and other kitchen pieces. I like to keep a lot of my pots hanging on a rack where they are easy to reach. 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 three or four times a year is generally sufficient to keep it in good condition.
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- Many of my molds are on display on this shelf. Jello, or jelly, molds became popular during the Victorian era when cooks experimented with recipes such as meat-based aspic. Copper molds, as opposed to the more affordable tin alternatives, were a sign of wealth. And by the 1950s and 1960s, these pieces were used for other recipes, especially those well-loved jelly creations.
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- Antique copper and brass charger plates hang above one of my sinks. These also need cleaning to look their best. Look for these on the cover of our latest issue of “Living.”
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- We always place terry cloth towels on the bottom of the sink, so the metal doesn’t bang against any surfaces. This also protects them in the event a piece accidentally slips from one’s grip.
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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. And always use polishes that are non-abrasive, and opt for formulas, such as creams and gels instead of sprays. Plus, 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.
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- Completely coat the piece with cream. The copper will start to brighten as it is rubbed. This task is time-consuming, but it is well-worth all the work and elbow grease. And remember to get into the cracks and crevices.
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- It may take a little longer when cleaning a piece with more intricate designs, crevices, or indentations. After rubbing the piece with cream, wash it with dish soap and water to ensure all the cream is removed.
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- And then give it a thorough rinse with tepid water.
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- Here’s Enma ready to dry the pieces as soon as they are done getting washed. Working in a production line fashion helps to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
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- Enma dries this giant mold next. Drying copper as soon as it is washed also helps prevent watermarks. And 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 mugs, pots, and pans instead.
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- And look at the difference. The one on the left is cleaned and polished dry. The one of the right still has to be done.
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- Here are two copper kettles – also newly cleaned and polished.
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- And here are four more smaller molds that are removed from the shelves so they could be cleaned. Notice the ones on the left are in the final soap and rinse stage while the darker piece on the right is waiting its turn.
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- A few minutes later, all these pieces are shimmering. The copper returns to its original luster very quickly.
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- Elvira wipes down the shelves with a dry cloth before returning the pieces for storage and display.
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- Another tip: if you like the way your displays are arranged, take a quick snapshot before you remove them, so you know exactly how they should be returned.
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- Elvira places the molds carefully on this shelf. I will be using this kitchen a lot going forward – for television and magazine shoots and for other media appearances. It’s important that it is always clean and “camera-ready.”
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- These pots are placed with other like pieces on the black shelving underneath my large soapstone island. It’s always so satisfying to check off time-consuming cleaning chores. Enma, Elvira, and Carlos got the task done in one day. The copper is now ready for my next cooking shoot in this kitchen!
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- Our September issue of “Living” is on newsstands starting today. Pick up a copy and see more of this renovated kitchen. Plus, read about my bittersweet farewell to Lily Pond, my beloved cottage in East Hampton, New York.
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