Cleaning Copper Catch Pans: Removing Green Tarnish

Copper is a beautiful metal that adds warmth and elegance to any home. However, it requires careful maintenance to keep it looking its best. Copper naturally tarnishes over time due to a reaction with its environment, but it can be easily cleaned and restored to its original shine. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to clean copper catch pans, removing tarnish and preventing future discolouration.

How to Clean Copper Catch Pan from Greentarnis

Lemon and salt

To clean your copper pan with lemon and salt, start by cutting a fresh lemon in half and squeezing the juice into a bowl, removing any seeds. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt or coarse salt onto half the lemon. Gently rub the salted lemon onto the tarnished areas of the pan. Repeat with the remaining lemon if needed. After treating all the tarnished areas, rinse the pan with water to remove any lemon juice and salt residue, then dry it with a microfiber cloth.

If you're worried about scratching your copper pan, you can squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and mix it with salt to form a paste. Apply the paste to the pan and let it sit for about 30 minutes, scrubbing periodically. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which reacts with the tarnish to break its bond with the surface of the copper. At the same time, salt acts as a mild abrasive, helping to scrub away the tarnish without damaging the metal.

This method is not only effective but also easy and inexpensive, as you likely already have lemons and salt in your kitchen.

Vinegar and salt

To clean your copper with vinegar and salt, start by mixing three parts of distilled white vinegar with two parts of salt in a small bowl to make a paste. You can test this mixture on a small, inconspicuous area of the copper item before applying it to the entire surface.

Next, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to spread the paste over the copper. Work in small circles, gently scrubbing the surface. Rinse the item in warm water and dry it with a lint-free towel. Avoid air-drying copper as this can result in water stains or further tarnishing.

For stubborn tarnish, let the paste sit on the copper surface for a few minutes before scrubbing. Alternatively, you can try boiling the solution. Start by mixing one cup of vinegar, three cups of water, and one tablespoon of salt in a large pot. Place your copper item in the pot, ensuring it is fully submerged, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil until the tarnish begins to fall off, then remove the pot from the heat and allow the solution to cool. You can then go in with the vinegar and salt paste to remove any remaining tarnish.

Ketchup

Copper items like pots and pans can develop a layer of tarnish over time, but ketchup can be used to clean and restore them to their original shine.

• Squeeze ketchup onto the surface of the pan. You can use a brush or a balled-up cloth to apply it, but avoid using polyester or synthetic materials as these can scratch the surface of the pan.
• Let the ketchup sit for 10-30 minutes. The longer you leave it, the more time it has to work on dissolving the copper oxide that causes tarnish.
• Using a toothbrush or a soft cloth, gently scrub the ketchup into the pan in small circles. Apply gentle pressure while scrubbing to avoid scratching the metal.
• Rinse the ketchup off with water.
• Buff the pan with a dry cotton cloth to reveal the shiny copper.

For heavily tarnished copper, you can add extra cleaning power by mixing the ketchup with table salt. The salt will provide a gritty texture that will help to work off the copper tarnish. You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and salt to clean copper, or a paste made from equal parts salt and flour, with vinegar or lemon juice added.

Baking soda and lemon juice

Lemon juice and baking soda is an effective method for cleaning copper cookware and other household items. This technique is also useful for learning how to clean oxidized copper quickly. Lemon's natural acidity helps break down tough stains without the use of harsh chemicals, and baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help lift stains without scratching the copper.

Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

Mix lemon juice and baking soda in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients until they form a paste. You may need to adjust the amounts of each ingredient to achieve the desired consistency. Make sure the paste is thick enough to adhere to the surface of the pan.

Step 2: Apply the Paste

Using a soft, clean cloth, gently apply the paste to the surface of your copper catch pan. Work the paste in a circular motion, covering the entire surface evenly. Pay special attention to heavily tarnished areas. The acidic properties of lemon juice will help break down the tarnish, while the baking soda will provide a gentle abrasive action to lift it from the surface.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry

Once you have buffed the pan to your satisfaction, rinse it thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining paste. Dry the pan completely with a soft, absorbent cloth. Ensure that all moisture is removed, as water left on the copper can accelerate the tarnishing process.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always test a small, inconspicuous area of your copper item first to ensure that the lemon juice and baking soda mixture does not cause any adverse reactions.
• Copper is a soft metal that can scratch easily, so avoid using abrasive cleaning tools or scrubbing too vigorously.
• For heavily tarnished pans, you may need to repeat the process or try a different cleaning method.
• To maintain the shine of your copper pan, consider polishing it with a specialty copper cleaner or a natural acid like lemon juice or vinegar every six months.
• To slow down the tarnishing process, apply a thin coat of mineral oil or baby oil to your copper items after cleaning and drying them.

Commercial copper cleaner

Wright's Copper Cream

Wright's Copper Cream is a popular choice and can be found at Amazon. It uses a combination of citric acid and ammonium chloride to effectively remove tarnish without scratching your copper items. It also leaves behind a protective coating to prevent future tarnishing. This product is ideal for copper cookware and other copper pieces like mugs, sinks, and doorknobs.

Rolite Brass & Copper Cleaner

This cleaner is perfect for maintaining the shine of your copper items between deeper polishes. It instantly removes grime, tarnish, and buildup while also providing a brilliant shine. The formula is easy to use; simply apply it with a microfiber cloth and rub gently in a circular motion. Rolite is a trusted brand that has been around for over 40 years and is preferred by professionals.

Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser

This is a great low-price, multipurpose cleaner that can be used on a variety of surfaces beyond copper, including glass, aluminum, porcelain, brass, steel, and ceramic. It clings well to vertical surfaces and effectively removes rust, stains, scum, and other grime. While it does require some elbow grease, it will leave your copper items looking like new.

Flitz Brass and Copper Tarnish Remover

If you're specifically looking for a tarnish remover rather than a polish, Flitz is an excellent choice. This spray-on formula easily removes tarnish with minimal scrubbing, making it a time and effort saver. It can be used on a variety of surfaces beyond copper, including brass, fiberglass, glass, porcelain, brick, and stucco. However, be aware that it has a strong smell and can irritate the eyes and nose, so it should be used in a well-ventilated area.

Weiman Brass and Copper Polish and Cleaner

This ammonia-free formulation safely removes tarnish and grime from copper and other metal objects without scratching. It also acts as a polish, leaving a mirror-like finish. Additionally, it leaves behind a protective coating to delay the reformation of tarnish. This product is suitable for both home and professional buffing and cleaning needs.

Frequently asked questions