Cleaning copper

[inspector gadget]

Hi guys I have searched the site for cleaning copper and saw a few methods but thought I would get your opinions on cleaning these screen filters, my plan is to fill them with activated carbon...

Gadge

[Icefever]

I use citric acid...couple of teaspoons into warm water, fill a large bowl big enough to take the filters....leave for a while, keep you eye on them you'll see them start to gleam.. I do all my copper this way, use one of those cheap plastic box's to soak it all in.

[inspector gadget]

Thanks for that

gadge

[hampk]

Yep - citric acid solution does it nicely

Cheers

Hampk

[Easydrinker]

Yes,
Buy yourself a bulk buy of citric acid online, it becomes cheap that way.
And then clean away to your hearts content.
I only recommend because it is what I do, and it seems to work, Other acids are available!

Robert.

[hampk]

You really don't want to use sulphuric, though - turns your copper an interesting colour..!

[Myles]

Hot tub or spa ph minus.
Usually it is sodium bisulfate.

[Mash]

+1 for citric acid

[inspector gadget]

Got some citric from local Lloyds chemist but larger quantity should have been here today... No show so far...

Gadge

[Magnu420]

I use good old white vinegar
But anything with citric acid will clean
Copper ie can of pop. Lemon juice even tomato sauce
( jim bob from the moonshiners used tom sauce to clean his still )

[Easydrinker]

Good old UK brown sauce, generic, whatever brand, seems to have more acid than Tom.Ketchup.

Robert.

[Mash]

So we are all agreed then... Something acidic

[hampk]

..except sulphuric

Cheers

Hampk

[Mash]

[Myles]

Did it once in the kitchen sink with drain cleaner.

Cleaned the copper just fine. Unfortunately it etched through the worktop also. SHMBO was not impressed. >:(