I have a number of small copper electrical pieces: socket parts, terminal screws, and whatnot that are badly oxidized. Is there something I can just drop them in and come back and have them be all clean, preferably that I can buy at the big orange store?
This.
Or ordinary vinegar and a dash of salt,i work with copper ad use it all the time. Just submerge the things in it and wipe em off with water after.
I’ve heard ketchup cleans copper. I’ve never tried, so I can’t guaranty anything.
Yep, I’ve used it on copper bottomed pots. I discovered it accidentally, was puzzled, then :smack: thought of course it does! The vinegar, I’d guess.
then it is good for something.
sorry i’ll just keep my condiments to myself.
Almost all my cookware is copper. My re-tinner uses for copper cleaning Wight’s copper cleaner (hardware stores) or a combination of ketchup and mustard and a little flour. The ketchup and mustard have the vinegar, the mustard and flour have the abrasives, and the flour keeps the paste to work with.
I have RevereWare pots and can confirm that Campbell’s Tomato Soup cleans copper.
I tested a copper bottomed pot with ketchup smeared all over, let it sit half an hour. It came out much brighter, though not perfect as the pot is at least as old as I am!
For older copper, you need to use old-fashioned ketchup. Try making your own.
Vinegar is your answer. Drop your parts in a dish of it and pull 'em out shiny (heat the vinegar if you’re in a hurry). No need to mess with gooky inactive food mixtures.