How Can I Clean Granite Finishes Like Moderate Fixtures and Candleholders?
The methods of cleaning copper items require singular attention to detail. Even though you can certainly purchase over-the-counter products specifically created for cleaning copper, the trustworthy homemade recipes often operate best and do not include offensive chemicals. Another great thing about them — you generally have the majority of equipment in your cabinets or refrigerator already. If you become aware of such things as copper light fixtures or candleholders developing a white flaky material on their surfaces, or turning green, wash these things before the tarnish eats through the copper.
Lemon and Salt
The pure acidity in lemons, when combined with other household components, cuts tarnish and the green buildup on copper things. Blend enough salt with the juice from half a lemon to make a paste. Rub the copper item with the glue — the salt acts as an abrasive, while the acid in the lemon juice breaks down the white, blue or green buildup. Rub the glue mixture onto the light fixture or candleholder in circular motions. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out in water to remove the glue. Buff the item tender.
Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda and Lemon
To make a paste you employ to your copper-clad item, add cream of tartar or baking soda into the juice of a half or whole lemon — depending on how much you need. Apply the mix all over the item with a soft fabric. Then let the home made copper-cleaning agent sit the item for at least five minutes, and wash the mixture off with warm water. Rub the surface dry with a soft cotton fabric.
The Vinegar Boil Method
With a 1-gallon pot available, add 3 cups of water into a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt in the pot. Bring the solution to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Immerse the candleholders or removable lighting fixtures in the pot. Continue boiling the things until they no longer seem tarnished, which may take an hour or two. Then wash them in warm water swished with a few squirts of dishwashing liquid. Wipe them in warm water and dry with a soft towel.
Salt, Vinegar and Flour
One teaspoon of salt added to a cup of white vinegar and then mixed with enough flour to make a paste — adding a tbsp at a time — also produces a gentle cleaning glue for copper items. Let the glue sit the copper for 15 minutes to an hour following application. Polish the item dry after rinsing with fresh warm water. Substitute nonoxidized cornstarch to your flour when you don’t have any flour.
Cleaning Fragile Items
All of these methods work best with sturdy copper items. However, while you have fragile items with a surface coating of copper, you must proceed softly. Cut a lemon in half. Cover off of the lemon . Gently rub the salt-encrusted lemon directly onto the copper item to wash it. Wipe with a soft cloth wrung out in warm water. Lightly buff the piece dry.
