How do you clean a copper bottle with lemon?

Cleaning a copper bottle with lemon is a simple and effective method for removing tarnish and restoring its shine. Here's how to do it:

Steps to Clean a Copper Bottle with Lemon

1. Prepare the lemon: Quarter a lemon (or lime). You can use the juice and the rind for optimal cleaning.
2. Squeeze the lemon juice: Squeeze the juice from the lemon quarters into the copper bottle.
3. Add salt: Sprinkle a generous amount of sea salt (or regular table salt) into the bottle. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, helping to scrub away the tarnish.
4. Shake vigorously: Cover the opening of the bottle securely and shake the bottle vigorously. This will help the lemon juice and salt mixture to scrub the inside surface of the copper.
5. Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit inside the bottle for about 10 minutes. This gives the lemon juice and salt time to react with the tarnish and loosen it. For heavily tarnished bottles, you can let it sit for a longer period, up to 30 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly: After letting it sit, rinse the bottle thoroughly with clean water until all traces of lemon juice and salt are gone.
7. Dry completely: Use a clean, soft cloth to dry the copper bottle completely. This will help prevent water spots and further tarnishing.

Alternative Method: Lemon and Baking Soda Paste

An alternative to using salt is to create a paste using lemon juice and baking soda.

1. Create a paste: Mix lemon juice with baking soda to form a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste: Apply the paste to the inside of the copper bottle.
3. Scrub: Use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub the inside of the bottle with the paste.
4. Rinse and dry: Rinse thoroughly with water and dry completely with a clean cloth.

Important Considerations:

• Avoid harsh abrasives: Do not use harsh scouring pads or abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch the copper surface.
• Regular cleaning: Clean your copper bottle regularly to prevent heavy tarnish buildup.
• Exterior cleaning: You can use the same lemon and salt (or baking soda) method to clean the outside of the bottle. Simply apply the mixture, scrub gently, rinse, and dry.
• Pure Copper vs. Lined Bottles: Make sure your bottle is pure copper, or if lined, that the lining is compatible with acidic solutions like lemon juice. Some linings could be damaged by the acidity.

Using lemon and salt or baking soda is a natural, safe, and effective way to keep your copper bottle clean and looking its best.