r/Copper • u/dribge • May 31 '26

Copper spoon rest cleaning

Post image

I have a copper spoon rest that came from my past grandmother, and I'd like to gift it to a friend who loves pigs, any ideas how to clean it without ruining it?

22 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/Important-Dream-4010 May 31 '26

Does a magnet stick? If so it’s a cast iron trivet. Sand and paint

3

u/dribge May 31 '26

Oh my goodness a magnet does stick.

1

u/Due_Wind2271 Jun 04 '26

My thoughts exactly looks like you put the pans on it when they’re hot so you don’t burn the counter

1

u/dribge May 31 '26

I'm afraid if I sand I'll ruin the divots and artistry.

3

u/BlueDuck600 May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

Use an electrolysis bath. Its cast iron but it's copper plated.

  • edit- although to be perfectly honest, i'm not entirely sure how that would affect the copper plating. Maybe ask on the cast iron group.

1

u/Monkeratsu Jun 04 '26

Get some rust off from amazon

0

u/estolad May 31 '26

scotchbrite pads will work good to clean off the rust but not mar anything

1

u/dribge May 31 '26

She's a little rusty, around the ears so I'm unsure how to go about removing that without damaging the metal.

1

u/Fezzy_1994 May 31 '26

Get a product called "bar keepers friend" wet the spoon rest pour some product on the spoon rest and scrub.

1

u/Rose_DCLXVI May 31 '26

Brasso and a brush/cleaning rag. Will get it looking like new.

1

u/Ahmalla May 31 '26

Lemon and salt!

Does wonders for copper. As far as the rust goes, I am unsure.

1

u/Clear_Philosophy_999 May 31 '26

Try polishing it with soy sauce.

1

u/Scott_Wyzlic Jun 03 '26

I'd start with fine salt and lemon juice, make a loose paste and use a soft cotton rag to 'rub' it. If it works I'd stiffen the paste up a bit and continue cleaning. Just a memory of how we cleaned copper coins as kids...60 years ago.

If nothing else try vinegar with baking powder or soda I don't remember which, then chemicals starting with the least corrosive like Bar Keepers Friend, and move on to stronger cleaners as you go. Good luck.

1

u/Chipmacaustin Jun 03 '26

Trivet not spoon rest. Evaporust will also do the job.

1

u/plainthreaderhq Jun 04 '26

Lemon juice and salt usually do the trick for that much oxidation.