How to Clean Copper Pans and Other Copper Surfaces

By
Rabekah Henderson
Rabekah Henderson headshot
Rabekah Henderson
Rabekah Henderson is an NC-based contributing writer for The Spruce covering design, decor, and all things home.
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Updated on 04/01/24
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 
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Copper pot cleaned with cut lemon and salt

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

Copper's beautiful look and excellent heat conduction make it a great choice for pots and pans. However, over time, copper pans—like all copper surfaces—can become dingy and covered with oxidation, and some shy away from buying copper pieces for this reason.

Most people imagine that cleaning copper is like cleaning silver, requiring particular chemicals to get it looking sparkling clean again. But in reality, copper is quite easy to clean and polish without commercial chemicals, using ordinary household cleaners and a few other pantry staples. 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Sponge or gentle scrub brush
  • Soft cloth or towel

Materials

Cleaning Lacquered Copper

  • Dish soap

Cleaning Unlacquered Copper

  • Whole lemon
  • Kosher salt for cookware or plain flat pieces of copper
  • Table salt for delicate, embossed, or engraved pieces

Instructions

Materials and tools to clean copper copper surfaces

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Clean Lacquered Copper

Cleaning lacquered copper is simple if the varnish is in good condition. However, if the copper's lacquer has started to peel, it may be best to remove it entirely and clean it like plain copper.

Tips

Here's how to distinguish plain copper from lacquered:

  • Does the piece get dusty or grimy without changing color or turning brown?
  • Does the piece have a glossy, shiny finish instead of a subtle glow?

If you answered 'Yes' to either question, your copper piece has a lacquered finish.

  1. Wash in Warm Water

    Wash the piece in warm—not hot—soapy water.

    Copper cup placed in bowl with warm soapy water

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Scrub Gently

    If you must scrub the piece to get rid of grease or grime, be gentle. Use nothing more abrasive than you’d use on the non-stick coating of a favorite skillet. Take your time: slow and steady scrubbing is much better than harsh scrubbing. 

    Copper cup scrubbed gently with white sponge in soapy water

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Dry

    Dry the piece completely with a clean, soft cloth.

    Copper cup dried with soft cloth

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Clean Copper That's Not Lacquered 

Cleaning and polishing unlacquered copper requires a bit more elbow grease, but the method is still simple. Fortunately, there’s still no need for harsh chemicals. You can do the job using a few ingredients you probably already have at home.

Cutting board with cut lemons and bowls of salt with spoon full of salt

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  1. Prepare Lemon

    Cut the lemon in half and dip its cut end into either kosher salt (for cookware or flat pieces of copper) or table salt (for delicate, embossed, or engraved pieces of copper).

    Salt rubbed on lemon half above bowl of salt and cut lemons

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  2. Scrub With Lemon

    Scrub the copper piece with the salt-covered lemon, using circular motions, until all the tarnish is gone.

    Gently squeeze the lemon to force more juice out and reapply salt to your cut lemon as needed.

    If you’re cleaning cookware that has a brass handle, you can use the salt and lemon to clean it too.

    Cut lemon with salt scrubbed on bottom of copper pot

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  3. Rinse

    Rinse the copper cookware thoroughly with warm water.

    Copper pot lid rinsed under running faucet

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  4. Dry and Buff

    Dry the piece with a soft cloth or towel. Using a second dry, clean cloth, buff the copper using circular motions to polish the piece to a soft glow. The more you buff, the shinier the finish.

    Copper pot dried with microfiber cloth in front of sink

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

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