How to Clean a Copper Bottle, Lota or Jug, Inside and Out
How to clean a copper water bottle, lota or jug: lemon and salt outside, a lemon and salt rinse inside, how often to do it and what the dark and green marks mean.
To clean a copper bottle, lota or jug, rub the outside with lemon and salt, rinse and dry it straight away. For the inside, fill it with warm water, lemon juice and a teaspoon of salt, shake or swirl, leave it ten minutes and rinse well. Copper darkens fast, so this is a regular job, not a yearly one.
The inside of a bottle or jug
- Half fill with warm, not boiling, water.
- Add the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of salt. Two tablespoons of vinegar can stand in for the lemon.
- Close the cap and shake for a minute. For a lota or jug, swirl and wipe with a soft cloth.
- Leave for ten minutes, pour out, and rinse four or five times with plain water until no sour smell remains.
- Dry upside down with the cap off.
Do this once a week or fortnight for a bottle used every day. Between cleanings, rinse with plain water daily and do not leave old water standing in it for days.
The outside
Dip a cut lemon in salt and rub. Tamarind pulp does the same job a little more gently. For a quick shine, a paste of equal parts salt, flour and vinegar can be rubbed on, left for ten minutes and washed off. Always finish by drying with a soft cloth; water drops leave dark rings on copper.
Dark, brown and green: what the marks mean
| Mark | What it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Even brown or dark tone | Normal oxidation from air and water | Harmless on the outside. Clean when you want the shine back. |
| Black patches inside | Oxide from standing water | Clean with lemon and salt before using again. |
| Green or blue-green spots | Verdigris | Clean off completely. Do not drink from the vessel until it is gone. |
| Rainbow tint after heating | Heat marks | Cosmetic only. |
What not to do
- No dishwasher and no harsh detergent.
- No steel wool. It scratches and the scratches darken faster.
- Do not leave lemon or vinegar inside for hours. Ten minutes is enough.
- Do not use a copper bottle for juice, lemon water, milk, buttermilk or hot drinks. It is for plain water at room temperature.
Some bottles have a clear lacquer on the outside to hold the shine. If water beads on the surface and it has stayed bright for months, wipe the outside with a cloth only and clean just the inside.
For what copper water does and does not do, read copper and brass water bottles: benefits and limits.
