How to clean a copper kettle

Content

Method 2 of 4: Using a vinegar solution
Method 3 of 4: Using buttermilk or yogurt
Method 4 of 4: Using ketchup
Tips
What do you need

1 Fill your sink with warm water. Make sure the water temperature is 38 ° C and does not burn the skin. You don't want to scald your hands!

2 Add two to three drops of liquid dish detergent to the water. Look for a detergent that contains a small amount of ingredients. Natural, sustainable soaps are a good choice. Avoid detergents containing chlorine and other corrosive chemicals. They will corrode copper.

3 Wash the kettle. Use a soft cloth or sponge to remove dust and dirt from the kettle.Rub the copper gently in the direction of factory polish marks.

4 Rinse the kettle. Turn on warm water and put a kettle under the stream, and if you decide to use a watering can for a kitchen faucet, slightly loosen the water pressure. Any residual traces of dust and dirt should easily come off.

5 Dry the kettle. Wipe the kettle gently with a towel, working in a circular motion until there is no trace of water on it. Make sure to use a soft, lint-free towel.

Method 2 of 4: Using a vinegar solution

1 Prepare a vinegar solution. Place equal parts vinegar, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl. (Attention: you need table vinegar (9%), never use acetic acid!) Mix the ingredients thoroughly until a homogeneous solution is obtained. The salt should be completely dissolved.
- If the kettle is made of particularly fragile copper or has a lacquered finish, skip the lemon juice. Its low pH can damage this coating.
2 Dip a clean, soft cloth into the solution. Let the fabric soak completely with the solution. This will allow you to thoroughly clean the kettle.
3 Remove the napkin from the solution. The cloth should be wet but not drip off. If the solution is dripping, squeeze the napkin slightly over the bowl of the solution.
4 Wipe the kettle with a wet cloth. Gently scrub the kettle in the individual sections using circular motions. Try to move in the direction of the marks from the metal polish.
5 Rinse the kettle. Use lukewarm water to rinse off the cleaning solution and dirt. Just put the kettle in the sink and turn on the tap water to pour from the top.
6 Dry the kettle thoroughly. Use a soft, dry cloth or paper towel to do this. At the end of the work, dry the kettle thoroughly. SPECIALIST'S ADVICE
Raymond chiu

Cleaning professional Raymond Chiu is the COO of MaidSailors.com, a New York-based cleaning company that provides affordable cleaning services for residential and office premises. Received a BA in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.
Raymond chiu
Cleaning professional
If vinegar, lemon juice, and salt don't work for you, try using salt and half a lemon. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle a dampened kettle with salt, then rub it over the surface with half a lemon. Place a towel under the kettle first, as this method leaves behind a lot of dirt. Then rinse the kettle with water and dry with a clean towel.

Method 3 of 4: Using buttermilk or yogurt

1 Fill the kettle with boiling water. The heat from the boiling water will make it easier to clean the outside of the kettle. Be careful not to burn yourself. Copper has a very high thermal conductivity and heats up quickly.
2 Dampen a sponge or napkin with buttermilk or yogurt. Dip a sponge or napkin in buttermilk or yogurt. Make sure the sponge or tissue is soft enough to not scratch the surface of the kettle.
3 Polish the outside of the kettle. Gently rub the outside of the kettle with a tissue or sponge. It is best to work in a circular motion and try to move in the direction of the factory polished metal marks. This will clean up the stains and restore the shine to the teapot.

Method 4 of 4: Using ketchup

1 Lubricate the kettle with tomato ketchup. Use a brush or tissue to apply the ketchup to the surface of the teapot. Make sure to use a soft cloth or soft bristled brush. Otherwise, there is a risk of scratching the kettle.
2 Leave the ketchup on the kettle for half an hour. Ketchup contains acetic acid, which reacts with plaque and dissolves it.Although some acids can damage copper, the concentration of acetic acid in ketchup is low enough to pose no threat.
3 Rinse the ketchup off the kettle with warm, soapy water. Use a soft cloth or sponge and follow the marks of the factory polished copper to avoid scratching. Your kettle should now look amazingly clean again.

Tips

All the methods mentioned in the article are also suitable for cleaning the inside of the kettle. Remember to rinse the kettle thoroughly after using these products - you don't want your coffee or tea to taste like soap, vinegar, yogurt or ketchup!
Repeat the procedure for cleaning the kettle with the method of your choice every six months. Copper begins to tarnish as a result of a natural oxidation reaction under the influence of oxygen. Regular cleaning of your kettle will keep it shiny and clean.