How do you clean copper with lime?

You can effectively clean copper using lime (or lemon) and salt. Here's a simple method:

Cleaning Copper with Lime and Salt

This method utilizes the acidity of the lime juice and the abrasiveness of the salt to remove tarnish and oxidation from copper surfaces.

Materials You'll Need:

• Lime (or lemon)
• Salt (table salt works fine)
• Cloth or sponge
• Dry cloth

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Lime: Cut the lime (or lemon) in half.

2. Apply Salt: Sprinkle a generous amount of salt onto the cut side of the lime.

3. Treat the Copper: Drizzle the copper item you want to clean with the salt-covered lime.

4. Rub the Surface: Use the lime half like a sponge, rubbing the salted juice onto the copper. A cloth or sponge can also be used to apply the juice. The combination of the acid in the lime and the abrasive salt helps to lift the tarnish.

5. Wipe and Rinse: Use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess juice and salt residue.

6. Repeat if Necessary: Rinse and repeat the process until the copper reaches your desired level of shine. Stubborn tarnish might require multiple applications.

Example: Cleaning a Copper Handle

This method works exceptionally well for copper handles.

1. Cut the lime.
2. Sprinkle salt.
3. Rub the salted lime on the handle.
4. Wipe clean.

Important Considerations:

• Rinsing: Ensure you thoroughly rinse the copper item after cleaning to remove any remaining lime juice and salt.

• Drying: After rinsing, dry the copper item completely to prevent water spots.

• Testing: Before cleaning an entire piece, test the method on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't damage the copper.