Posted on May 4th, 2022
Copper cookware is super popular. Aside from being a fantastic heat conductor and letting food cook evenly, it also gives your kitchen a premium aesthetic, inspiring you to channel your inner Masterchef every day.
However, pans made from copper can be quite sensitive to harsh substances and abrasive materials. But no worries, with proper care and cleaning, your copper cookware can be a worthy investment that can last a lifetime. If you have copper pans that look worse for wear, tarnished, or lackluster, our house cleaning experts in Oklahoma have the perfect remedies.
Check out this blog to learn everything you need to know about cleaning your copper pans and pots and making them look shiny and new again.
How to Wash Copper Pans
Do not put your copper cookware inside the dishwasher. They’re remarkably delicate and should be cleaned manually or hand-washed with warm water, dish soap, and a soft sponge. Do not use rough scrubbing materials, which could scratch the surface and remove the copper coating of your pan. Instead, if sticky, hardened, and stubborn food residue is stuck, fill the copper pan with hot, soapy water for at least 15 minutes and scrub again.
Natural Polishing and Cleaning Solutions for Copper Cookware
Tarnishing occurs naturally due to constant exposure to water and air. As part of regular maintenance, we recommend polishing your copper cookware at least every six months with a specialty cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend or Wright’s Copper Cream.
On the other hand, if you prefer using natural cleaning solutions, there are many eco-friendly copper cleaners that you can create at home. Here are some of our cleaning team’s favorite DIY copper cleaning and polishing combos.
- Ketchup
Rub ketchup cleaning mixture into your copper cookware and let it sit for at least five minutes. Then, rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a soft cotton cloth. Aside from effectively cleaning your copper pans and pots, it’s also an incredible technique to restore their shine naturally.
- Lemon Juice or Vinegar, and Baking Soda
Create a mixture of fresh lemon juice with baking soda to create a paste. If you do not have a lemon on hand, you can also use vinegar as an acid alternative. Coat your pan with the copper cleaning paste and rub it with your hands or a soft sponge in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a cotton cloth. Do not leave it to air dry to prevent water spots.
Most “how-to clean copper pan” guides you find online suggest using salt in the cleaning mixtures. But according to Mac Kohler of Brooklyn Copper Cookware in Architectural Digest, although salt has its benefit, it can also cause irreversible damage when used a bit too aggressively with stainless steel-lined copper.
Kitchen Cleaning? We Can Do It for You!
Dreaming of an immaculate kitchen? We got you! HappyCleans offers professional house cleaning in Norman OK, and other surrounding areas, including Edmond, Piedmont, Moore, and Mustang. Expect hassle-free, efficient, and top-quality cleaning service delivered by highly skilled house cleaners who are vetted, insured, and bonded for your peace of mind.