How to Properly Wash Copper Mugs: Ways To fix Tarnished Mugs and more

Beautiful Copper mugs are best for drinks served hot, like the Moscow Mule and Dark 'N Stormy. They're good for adding a rustic look to your barware and they keep cold drinks chilled in the summers or hot drinks in the winter. In this article, we talk about how to properly clean and maintain these beautiful drinking vessels.

How to Properly Wash Copper Mugs

• Use a soft cloth and mild dish soap to clean your copper mug. Scrub in circular motions until debris has been removed.
• Wash the mug out with hot water to get rid of the soapy water and residue.
• Dry the mug thoroughly using a dry cloth.
• Dry the cup again using another microfiber cloth.

If there’s any remaining moisture left after rinsing, then a second drying is necessary to prevent oxidation and copper tarnish from occurring.

Model Featured: American Metalcraft CM16P

Methods To Remove Tarnishing Copper Mugs

Copper items develop a natural patina when exposed to moisture and other elements found in our environment. Depending on whether copper's green tarnished copper surface (called patina) is used for decorative purposes or functional ones, it can be either useful or irritating.

The patinas actually serve as a protective layer for copper underneath and can be useful in outside applications such as roofs or pipes. However, when it comes to mugs or cups we want the metal to be as bright as possible, so it’s important to understand preventive care and upkeep.

Here are the easy methods to do to clean your tarnished copper piece.

• Lemon or Limes and Salt
• Vinegar and Salt
• Vinegar and Baking Soda
• KetchupTamarind Paste
• Metal Polish

Model Featured: Winco CMM-20H

Lemon or Limes and Salt

This simple method is fast and easy, and perfect for any bar or restaurant that has an abundant supply of lemons on hand!

1. Just sprinkle some table or sea salt on a plate, then slice a fresh piece of lime or lemon fruit into quarters.
2. Dip the piece of lemon wedge or lime wedge into the salt, and rub the copper mug with slow, methodical circular motions inside and outside.
3. When the tarnishing has been removed, rinse off the stain with warm water, then use a clean cotton cloth to wipe away any remaining residue.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

1. Make a paste by combining three parts of baking powder and one cup of vinegar. You may use white vinegar for this.
2. Apply it using a sponge by rubbing it gently against the surface of the mug in small circles and letting it set for about 10 minutes.
3. Then, just wash and dry until all traces of moisture is gone and the copper surface pristine.

Ketchup

1. Use the power of tomatoes to remove tarnish from your old, dirty, rusty, or otherwise damaged mugs.
2. Use a soft sponge or toothbrush to apply the ketchup, always working in small circles. Let it stand for 30 minutes.
3. After applying the ketchup, remove it by using a special brush designed for cleaning tarnished copper jewelry.
4. After rinsing, use two soft towels or paper towel to dry off completely.

Tamarind Paste

1. Tamarind is an exotic tropical fruit, used in Asian, African, and Caribbean cuisines.
2. It has tartaric acid, so it helps remove tarnish from brass and bronzes.
3. Simply add cold water to form a paste, and then use a soft sponge or clean cloth to rub it into the surface of the metal.
4. After applying it for a few minutes, wash it off, and let it air dry.

Metal Polish

All of these natural remedies for removing rust are equally effective, inexpensive, safe, and easy to use. However, one alternative is to use a tarnishing remover or polisher. Brands like Brasso are good at cleaning many different types of metal surfaces, but their main ingredients aren't always the best (alcohol, ammonia, minerals, and silicon dioxide). You probably already have most of the ingredients needed to clean copper mugs at home, so you don't need to buy a product full of harsh chemical cleaners.

Are Copper Mugs Dishwasher Safe?

Copper cookware, utensil, or molds should always be cleaned by hand, with no exception. Most dishwashers use harsh detergents, powerful jets of hot air, and high temperatures that can damage your copper mugs both inside and out.

Dishwashers can cause dents, tarnish, and flaking or cracks. So for just thirty seconds, please be kind to your coffee cups. Wash them by hand, and then let them air-dry, avoiding any bit of moisture

Unlined Copper Mugs

100 percent pure, unlined copper mugs are technically dishwasher safe because there is no lining that could corrode. We still strongly recommend hand washing unlined copper mugs to preserve their quality, as they are fragile and easily damaged by dings and scratches. It's generally safe to drink Moscow Mule cocktails from pure, unlined metal molds, but there has been some concern in recent years.

Model Featured: American Metalcraft ACMH

Lined Copper Mugs

Dishwashers cannot be used for lined copper mugs. Most copper mugs are made from copper plating over another material, usually either stainless or tin. This extra support makes mugs more durable and eliminates any exposure to copper if they're properly washed by hands. If these copper pots or cups aren't cleaned by hand, they could develop cracks or flakes when washed in a dishwasher.

Proper Care to Maintain Your Copper Mugs

Copper mugs are both stylish and healthy. They keep your cold beverages chilled, and your hot beverages steaming. Copper has been used for thousands of centuries for water purifying and health benefits, and has made a triumphant return since the invention of the "Moscow Mule" in the 1940s.

Remember these three simple rules when choosing what to fill your copper mugs with:

Don't let any basic drinks sit for longer than four hours. There is a huge chance that there will be a tarnish from copper if not done.

After every use, wash your cups with regular dish soap and cool water, then use two clean towels to dry them thoroughly.

If your copper mug starts to tarnish, then you can easily remove the tarnishing by using any of the five methods mentioned above.