Cookware Cleaning and Maintenance
With the heat of the stove and being exposed to air, copper eventually acquires spots with time. Here are presented some suggestions on how to clean your copper accessories.
When you use your copper kitchenware for the first time after you buy it, you should boil a large amount of water and wash the accessory with that water to remove any impurities that it may have.
There are two steps that must be followed in order to prevent resistant spots and scratches: the first one is using wood, nylon or coated nonadherent spoons, so that its movement won't scratch the utensil; the second one is placing the accessory immediately after using, in hot water with soap, so that food scraps are soften. This way you will only need to put water and use a soft cloth to clean it.
To make the accessories that no longer have varnish shine, use a non-abrasive metal polisher or lemon.
Here are two traditional suggestions to clean copper:
1. Ingredients: ketchup
a) Procedure: In a clean cloth, place a small amount of ketchup and spread it evenly in the utensil. Let it rest for 1 or 2 minutes. Clean with a dry cloth until it is completely dry.
Photo Credit: http://lifehacker.com/5992983/clean-copper-cookware-with-salt-and-ketchup
2. Ingredients: salt, white vinegar and wheat flour
b) Procedure: Add a soup spoon of salt to a white vinegar tea-cup. Add the wheat flour gradually until a paste is formed. With a cloth spread the paste on copper, rubbing very well the stained areas. Allow it to work for 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the degree of dirt. Rinse with warm water and make a mild polishing.