There is no doubt that copper mugs are beautiful, and they belong to a completely different era, too. They don’t work with microwave ovens, and unlined copper mugs must be used carefully because copper can leach out into the beverage under specific conditions. If you are curious about copper mug discoloration, black spots on copper mugs, how clean brass cups, and why a copper mug turns white, we’re going to talk about all of these things and more in today’s special blog.
All About Copper Mug Discolorations
Copper mugs are highly acclaimed by folks who are in love with older technology because they work perfectly in keeping drinks lovely and stormy, and they can last a lifetime if you take care of yours properly. Copper mugs can keep warm beverages warm in the middle of chilly weather, and cold drinks cold despite the heat of summer.
How do you clean tarnished copper mugs?
There are plenty of ways to clean tarnished copper mugs. To prevent tarnishing, copper mugs must be washed properly after each use. Detergent or soap dish can be used alongside non-abrasive cleaning implements, like sponges and dishcloths. Take note that it is never a good idea to use anything abrasive on copper mugs because we need to keep them from being scratched. Cleaning chemicals like bleach must also be avoided – they don’t need to be bleached anyway. After washing and rinsing, use only cotton cloth or hemp cloth to dry the inside and outside of the copper mug. Yes, clothes made with synthetic fibers can scratch copper, and over time, the scratches can cause the copper mug to deteriorate.
To clean a copper mug properly, use warm water on the mug and add a bit of soap dish to the water. Rub the inside of the mug with circular motions, before moving to the outside. Rinse the mug with warm water again and let it air-dry a little before wiping it down. As a bar mug, copper mugs can be reliable, as long as they aren’t handled roughly, and they are cleaned properly.
It is completely normal for copper mugs to exhibit tarnishing that looks a lot like the rusting of common metals. Don’t worry – the tarnishing is temporary if you do not allow it to eat through the metal, and in a couple of steps, you can make your copper mug pretty again. The easiest method of removing the unsightly patina on copper mugs is by dipping lemon wedges in coarse salt. By coarse salt, we refer to Kosher salt, regular sea salt, rock salt, and so on. Make sure that both sides of the lemon wedge are covered with salt. Use the wedge to clear away the patina on the inside and outside of the copper mug. Feel free to repeat the process until the patina is gone. After scrubbing the mug thoroughly, rinse away the salt and lemon extracts with warm water at least two times before drying the copper mug with a soft cotton cloth.
The second method utilizes a cool paste made of baking soda and white vinegar. To carry out this neat, traditional method of clearing patina, first, create a paste made of three parts baking soda and one part white vinegar. Combine the ingredients until you have a spreadable paste that you can pick up and spread all over the copper mug. The mug should be covered from top to bottom, inside and outside. Allow the paste solution to stand for ten to fifteen minutes. This will give the baking soda enough time to remove the patina partly.
After fifteen minutes, rub-down the copper mug with your regular cleaning sponge. Scrub the copper mug with the remainder of the paste until you see the patina coming off. Rinse the copper mug with warm water two times before wiping dry with a soft cotton cloth or equivalent.
In case you don’t have white vinegar and baking soda, you can also use tomato ketchup to remove the tarnishing on a copper mug. Get your bottle of ketchup and squeeze out a generous amount. Cover the entire mug with the ketchup, including the inside. Let the ketchup stand for 30 minutes so its ingredients will interact with the patina. With a sponge, rub-down the copper until it’s shiny again. Rinse twice with warm water, and you’re ready to pat dry your newly shiny copper mug.
Is it safe to drink out of tarnished copper?
Modern copper mugs are usually lined with reliable materials like stainless steel and nickel, so tarnishing from the outside shouldn’t be a problem. However, if your copper mug is chipped severely, scratched, or crack from the inside, you may have to inspect it closely if your beverages are exposed to the actual copper. Otherwise, a lightly tarnished copper mug should be safe for use. However, we recommend that you wash your copper mug as soon as you can and apply a commercial-grade copper cleaner to remove the tarnishing.
On the other hand, the possibility of copper poisoning is real, so some states in the US have banned the use of copper mugs. But then again, as long as the lining inside is still of good quality, then the mug is still good to use.
Can you put copper mugs in the dishwasher?
Copper mugs do not agree with new technology as it comes from the last century, so do not put your copper mugs in the dishwasher. Copper mugs have nickel linings that can easily chip, and problems with the lining of copper mugs can translate to copper leaching out to your drinks. The simplest and most effective way to clean copper mugs is by using cold water, dish soap, and a sponge. Clean it as you would any glass and stow it away to air-dry. This all copper mugs need. To prevent tarnishing, copper mugs have to be “maintained” a few times per month with the commercial-grade copper cleaner to ensure that it stays shiny and looking brand new.
