I admit that I might have a slight copper obsession.
What is not to love? Copper has the most beautiful patina- and it adds a rich, warm old world feeling to the kitchen- and when it is polished it glows. But how do you clean copper and brass and get that bright shiny beautiful look?
I have been polishing my copper this week. It is a bit of a BIG job because I do have a chunk of a collection. Not sure you have noticed those copper pots and pans behind the range. Or the ones on the shelf on the island. Or the copper mixer on the counter. Not sure exactly when I first fell in love with copper-but once I was bitten by the bug- I have been adding copper to my collection. From vintage pans, bowls, utensils and more. I even added a fish poacher that I found at HomeGoods. And we don’t eat fish- I just figured it looked like it would make a good pan for cooking veggies just as well.
And a question I am often asked is How do you keep your copper clean and looking so pretty all the time….and the answer might surprise you.
How do you clean Copper?
I have used CopperBrill before- and it does a wonderful job in no time. But if you don’t have any on hand- an answer to keeping that copper polished and pretty is probably already right inside your kitchen cupboard.
Ketchup.
Use ketchup as a polish for copper
Ketchup is acidic and as such- will take that tarnish right off. It also works on polishing silver and brass.
I grabbed the ketchup and starting putting on the copper pots and my husband looked at me like I was crazy. But hey- being home now is a perfect time to polish allll.those. copper pieces.
Simply squirt ketchup onto your copper and rub it around a bit with your hands to cover the whole area and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Start rubbing that ketchup in with your sponge and rinse and repeat. Ketchup doesn’t clean the whole thing by itself but it does shine the copper up and you will see a bright new finish come through.
For stubborn pots- you might have to repeat a few times- but remember to let it sit for a bit before rubbing- it really does help. You may also need a toothbrush or scrub brush for stubborn areas -especially for the hammered copper which has a lot of ‘dent’s’ that like to keep that tarnish. When it is polished up- rinse well and dry.
To note: the first time I did this, the copper looked so bright just after that I thought I ruined it. Just dry it off with a towel and let it sit for just a bit. The copper will tone down. And some well known sources say to use salt with the ketchup as well- I have not tried that but know that some folks swear by it. I personally feel like that might do some damage so have left it alone.
So there you have it. A simple & inexpensive way to keep that copper pretty. This also works on brass and silver- as you can see the brass fish is all bright and shiny as well. I can’t take credit for making up this tip – I learned it years ago from Martha Stewart and on several others. I think it has been used for many many years!
Happy Wednesday all!
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Stacy says
I use lemon juice and salt. Goid tIp about ketchu working as well, though i could never do it because i hate ketchup! Lol!
Courtney says
I worry about the salt but know so many people who love it! And I have heard lemon juice is great as well!
Elizabeth says
i learned to clean my copper pots years (decades? Yikes) ago with martha.
Put salt on a plate, cut your lemon in half, rub in the salt then HOlding the lemon start rubbing your pot.
Martha has a BEAUTIFUL copper collection and im SURE SHE wouldnt be using This method if it damaged her vintage french pots. Never hurt mine! Try it.
Barbara at Mantel and Table says
Ketchup! Another great copper tool in the kit! thanks for that – it’s always so wonderful to get a peek at your beautiful copper!
Shirley @HoUsepitality DesiGns says
A container of CopPerBrill came with my Mauviel copoer pots. Love it and I heard about using ketchup but never tried it. How do you keep your pOts so clean as they hang above your stove?
Courtney says
I love CopperBrill- it does an amazing job!! The pots behind my range are cleaned fairly often- as they are used or the ones not as much just in general cleaning- so they stay nice and shiny. And being vegetarians- we cook lightly with oil- so not adding a ton that has to be cleaned off. I hope you are doing well and enjoying your beautiful new home Shirley!!
aussie jo says
Thaks for this
Courtney says
So glad you enjoyed- thanks for coming by!
Lina says
I have used salt and vinegar and It has worked beautifully..
Courtney says
I have heard that salt and vinegar work well too! I haven’t tried them- a bit afraid of the salt causing pitting- but I may have to give it a go. 🙂
B says
Don’t let the salt sit on your paNS, but scrub immediately and no worries about pitting.
Courtney says
Good to know- thank you!
Bettie says
BEautiful, but brings back unhappy Childhood memories as it was my chore to clean my mother copper pans! DIDN’T know about ketchup! She used a copper paste.
Courtney says
Haha! Sorry about that! I actually don’t mind polishing copper and silver – some of the other chore’s are the ones I don’t like doing. 🙂
Sarah says
Courtney, we have lots of copper here as well. My husband began collecting copper before we married, and since he loves to cook, his copper is well used. He does the cooking, I do the polishing!
We had a custom copper vent hood made for our kitchen. I may try to ketchup on the hood. I typically use liquid Bartenders keepers friend, and it works great. I don’t know the corpperbrill brand. Will look for it.
Courtney says
You will love copperbrill- it does a great job! I haven’t tried Bar Keepers Friend for copper- my grandmother used to have that for general cleaning- might have to try that one too!
C. Gresham says
Will pass this tip along to my daughter who has a rew copper pots. Thanks!
Courtney says
Hope it helps! It is always a good back up when I am out of Copperbrill 🙂
Laura says
ThAnk you for the tip about ketchup! 😋 Love your GORGEOUS kitchen and your exqUisite taste!
I have just collected old copper for display and mosT of it is black inside! If I ever wanted to cook with it, how do I get the black off, or do they need to all be retinned?
(Sorry about all caps. Dont know how to turn it off!)
Courtney says
Thank you!! I am not sure about that- I think it sounds like you might have to have them fixed to be able to cook with them – I am not sure how to remove the black.
Allison Wade says
Happy Friday, Courtney! I started collecting copper just after high school 40+ yrs ago. I have several tilting teapots, a love of mine, and lots of other pieces like measuring ladles and such. i’m a “warm” person, my husband “cold”, so i love the warmth of copper, he tends towards shiny chrome. good thing i have eclectic decorating taste! thanks for the ketchup reminder…so easy to reach in the cupboard to find a non-toxic solution, especially for an herbal, organic, natural gal like me. always look forward to your posts. blessings, ally
Courtney says
Thanks so much Allison! Have some fun polishing your copper collection. 🙂
Susan McLaughlin says
In the early 1960s, we used ketchup To polish pennies to put in our new loafers For the first day of school.
Courtney says
I love that!! What a fun memory!
Brenda in Virginia says
I, too, am a big fan of copper. My tried and true, easy peasy method is bar keepers friend. It comes in a can like comet. The real trick is to run super hot water over the copper before applying the powder with a sponge. Don’t know why it works better if the copper is hot but it is quick, easy and doesn’t scratch. I also use this on all my silverplate. Never had a problem.
Iviry says
I have lot if copper. I know some needs this. Thank you!
Have a happy new year
Renae says
Such a great idea and not toxic to use. Thank you for sharing.
julie says
Can you please share where you purchase/type of range you have? I absolutely love it and we are in the process of working with architect on a new kitchen. Your range would look fabulous in our home too! Happy Turkey Day, gobble gobble!
Courtney says
This is a Lacanche Range- you can find them on their website. frenchranges.com
Pam says
THank you for the ketchup trick! The tile behind your range is beautiful! Could you pLease share the manufacturer and color?
Diane Finocchiaro says
I am so drawn to the shiny bright patina and even the aged tarnished copper and silver as well. Although I only have a few pieces.
My real reason in reaching out was to say I always enjoy your posts and when I read you found a piece at homegoods I am always proud! As I have worked for the company for five years and am currently a department coordinator over the tabletop department. So keep on posting and keep on Go Finding! Thank you for sharing your satisfied exerieince using the ketchup method, i had used it once but didnt let it sit for awhile, I will try this method again. Happy pre-spring!!