Have you heard of the Moscow Mule?
It is a drink that was popular in the 50s, and now its popularity is rising again. My hubby loves it, and for the last few weeks, he started serving it to his friends on their poker nights.
How To Clean Copper Mugs?
He purchased a set of six to complete the experience since a Moscow Mule isn’t complete without vintage copper cups.
For a variety of reasons, they are a lovely addition to our house.
I may thus state that copper mugs were simply introduced into my kitchen. Even our little children appreciate them; they simply adore sipping their juice from a gleaming copper cup.
Although copper mugs are quickly rising in popularity, you should be aware that they may eventually tarnish.
For this reason, learning how to properly clean copper mugs is essential if you want to keep their original shine.
What’s The Deal With Copper Mugs?
Copper mugs keep your drink cold. They will make your drink feel colder even when it isn’t. It is also said that copper mugs will enhance the flavors of your drink.
Most people use copper mugs for The Moscow Mule, but they are also used for cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. Most cocktails that are made with vodka or gin can be served in copper mugs.
You can even use them for hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate because of the handle. Copper can bring out the taste of both hot and cold beverages. It is an adaptable material and can be used for all kinds of drinks.
When drinking from a copper mug, make sure that you’re not drinking an acidic drink because if you are, you will have a terrible metallic taste in your mouth.
Related: Most Recommended Cocktail Shakers
The Most Common Mistake While Cleaning
There is one thing that you should never use for cleaning your copper mugs – the dishwasher.
When I first got my copper mugs, I thought that they could simply be cleaned in the dishwasher, just like everything else in the kitchen.
One day, my neighbor decided to visit us. She was really interested in our copper mugs, so we started talking about them. Once she heard that I was cleaning them in the dishwasher, she immediately told me that it was wrong, and she explained why.
When I realized how wrong I was, I had to throw the mugs without John knowing about it and purchase a new set right away.
The copper mugs have a layer of nickel (sometimes stainless steel) on top to prevent copper leaks. No matter which product you own, the lining isn’t very resistive to the harsh chemicals found in the dishwashing liquids.
Furthermore, the dishwasher’s aggressive performance can compromise the surface of the mug and make them prone to leaching copper into your beverage.
And I kept wondering why my mugs keep getting more and more stains and showing signs of “wear” after a while because I know (I believed) I treated them right.
The continued dishwasher cleaning of the mugs will cause the flake-off, micro-tears and cracks in the lining, and quite possibly the copper (and other materials) leaching into your beverages.
You don’t want to consume heavy metals in your drink, right?
Because it won’t be able to clean the mugs properly and ruin them in the process, the dishwasher is absolutely out of the picture here.
Therefore, when cleaning copper mugs, you shouldn’t rely on appliances.
The Proper Way To Clean Copper Mugs
What You Need:
- A sponge
- Warm water
- Detergent
- Soft towel
It is best to use simple and gentle techniques. You should remember to clean the mugs right after you use them because if you don’t, you will jeopardize the lining consistency.
Clean the mug by using warm water, and soft sponge, and a non-abrasive detergent.
After you’re done washing the mug, you need to dry it by hand. I tend to hand-wash my copper mugs and then use a soft towel to dry them.
The principle is simple; you only have to take the extra step and don’t be lazy to act.
Keeping The Shine and Cleanliness Long-term
I noticed that even though I regularly clean my copper mugs, they still tarnish over time. So I did my research and consulted with my neighbor, and I found out that after some time, you will need to do a little more than just washing them.
There are many ways of cleaning your tarnished copper mugs. The most usual way of cleaning copper mugs is simply cleaning them with a copper cleaner that you can find in your local stores.
My personal favorite way of cleaning them is by using lemon and salt because I don’t like using chemicals.
You just need half of a lemon and some salt.
You have to dip the lemon in the salt, and then you use that to polish your mug. You will notice the results in no time. You can also use vinegar and baking soda, but be careful because the soda can be harmful to the lining. No rough movements on the interior side while cleaning.
So every now and then, I get some lemon and salt and polish our copper mugs, so they keep the shine and form.
Keep Them Clean & Shiny and Enjoy A Fine Moscow Mule
As you can see, there’s no science in keeping your copper mugs shiny and clean.
There are only mistakes to be corrected, and with the advice you’ve read today, your copper mugs will be spot on.
Ura! (Cheers on Russian) 🙂