How to Clean Lime Off Copper
Limescale is the residue of mineral deposits typically caused by hard water. Over time, you may notice a coarse white or bluish film on dishes, sink fixtures and pots and pans. Chemical cleaners are available to take off lime deposits, but you should not use these on copper. The ingredients in the cleaner can discolor valuable copper pans, for example, turning them bright pink. Some cleaners may actually etch or eat away the copper. Instead, get rid of lime with simple household ingredients.
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Mix vinegar and salt to form a paste.
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Smear the paste onto the lime-covered copper, covering all surfaces. Let the paste work for 15 minutes.
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Wipe the copper with a damp sponge to remove the paste, scrubbing the surface to remove stubborn deposits. Reapply the paste and repeat the procedure if necessary to get rid of heavy lime coatings.
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Rinse and dry the copper.
References
Writer Bio
James Clark began his career in 1985. He has written about electronics, appliance repair and outdoor topics for a variety of publications and websites. He has more than four years of experience in appliance and electrical repairs. Clark holds a bachelor's degree in political science.
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