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Often, you have been tempted to buy copper vessels kept on store shelves. The shiny and inviting layering of the copper vessels adds aesthetics to your traditional cookware. Moreover, copper vessels are considered to impart health benefits. Copper is an age-old metal, and the vessels gained their prominence during the Chalcolithic period, also known as the copper age.
Cooking, drinking, and eating in copper vessels have been beneficial to health for centuries. According to Ayurveda, drinking a glass of water from the copper glass in the morning on an empty stomach helps several organs and metabolic processes too. It is also believed that drinking copper-enriched water in the morning helps to cure the three doshas (Kappa, Vata, and Pitta).
Although we love buying copper vessels, maintaining them becomes challenging. The shine of the vessels vanishes after consecutive uses. They stain and darken over a period of time, and keeping the shine intact becomes a task. Copper loses its shine due to the process of oxidation. Copper reacts with oxygen to form copper oxide, which further reacts with carbon dioxide to form copper carbonate. We often notice a green layer on the surface of the copper, known as verdigris.
It may not be easily washed off with just water or soap. A few pantry ingredients in your kitchen can help get rid of verdigris and clean it thoroughly. Here are some easy kitchen hacks with which you can maintain the shine of your copper vessels. Take a look and give it a try:
1. Lemon And Salt
These two ingredients are readily available in our kitchen. They together form the best solution to clean the copper vessels. Sprinkle some salt on half of the lemon and scrub it over the copper utensils. Besides, a paste made of salt and lemon juice can also be applied. Keep the paste for 30 minutes, then scrub it off. You will be surprised to see it clear and shining again. The citric acid present in the lemon neutralises the copper carbonate and dissolves the layer. Salt acts as a mild abrasive.
2. Vinegar Alternative
If you have run out of lemons, pick up vinegar for the same functionality. Follow the same technique. Dissolve the salt in the vinegar and apply it over the stains. Rinse it thoroughly. The citric acid in the vinegar works in the same way that lemon does.
3. Use Ketchup
Although it may sound weird, copper utensils can regain their shine when rubbed with ketchup. This is because of its acidic property, which helps remove the stains. Spread some ketchup on the vessel and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the acidic property to start its work. Later, scrub it off with a soft sponge or nylon pad. Rinse it thoroughly in water and wipe it with a cloth dipped in olive oil. Allow it to dry and see the result.
5. Use Homemade Copper Polish
To make this homemade copper polish, all you need are equal parts of flour, salt, and any powder detergent. To this, add white vinegar, lemon juice, and some water. Mix all the ingredients well. Pour a small amount on the nylon pad or soft sponge. Rub it on the affected areas. Rinse with water.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda, being an excellent alkaline substance, acts as a neutralizer to counterbalance the acidic property of the tarnish. Thus, you can either combine baking soda with lemon or use baking soda alone to clean the vessels.
7. Vinegar And Flour
Vinegar and flour are another combination that can help you remove the tarnish from the copper vessels. First, make a mixture of salt and vinegar, and then add some flour to it. Flour gives it sticking power, reducing the risk of scratching the metal.
