How Often You Should Polish Copper Cookware According To Martha Stewart

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No one has redefined the art of homemaking in the modern era quite like Martha Stewart. The cultural icon has a gift for elevating domestic work beyond boring chores, offering everything from time-tested cleaning hacks to clever solutions for simplifying daily life. Whether it's advice on picking a theme to decorate your home or sharing must-haves that'll add a touch of magic to your everyday life, her advice blends traditional wisdom with modern practicality. She's shown millions how to entertain with ease, including showcasing her enviable kitchens filled with stunning pots, pans, and platters. Few collections rival her gleaming copper cookware, though according to Martha Stewart herself, it has to be polished a few times a year to keep tarnishing at bay.

"Over time, copper loses its luster and acquires a tarnish when exposed to air, so it is important to clean it regularly," Stewart explained on her blog. The dulling is the result of oxidation, a natural chemical reaction that occurs whenever copper interacts with oxygen and moisture in the air. Eventually, oxidation shifts copper from bright rose-colored tones to muted brown, and with enough time, it may take on a greenish patina. While this can be prized on historic domes and statues, it's less welcome in the kitchen. For enthusiastic cooks or bakers, although tarnished cookware remains durable, it obscures the warm rose-gold finish that makes copper collections like Stewart's so appealing.

Martha Stewart recommends polishing your own copper cookware several times a year, roughly every few months, to prevent tarnish from building up into something more stubborn. Copper that sits on open shelving in a bright kitchen will oxidize faster in between frequent uses than rarely used trays stored in a dark cupboard. Humidity, fingerprints, and even certain foods can accelerate the patina process. If you wait too long between polishing sessions, tarnish becomes more tenacious. Once oxidation layers deepen, simple maintenance won't always restore your cookware to gleaming brightness in a single session. Whether it's a forgotten family heirloom, a thrift store find, or a pot accidentally put through the dishwasher, neglected copper may require multiple polishing sessions or even buffing.

Nevertheless, copper is a forgiving metal that can usually be revived with the right tools and plenty of patience. For her own collection, Stewart relies on Wright's Copper Cream, a highly rated product available from Amazon for under $20. The odor-free pot of cream comes with a sponge, but according to the homemaking queen, you'll need a few extras nearby. You'll also need to work gently, as vigorous scrubbing is one of the ways you've been cleaning your copper pots all wrong. Whether you opt for a commercial cream, or prefer a homemade copper polish like lemon juice with salt or vinegar and flour, consistency matters. As Stewart herself put it on her blog, "My collection of copper, with its shiny rose-gold hue, always looks so beautiful after a good cleaning." Regular attention preserves both beauty and function, ensuring your copper cookware shines for years to come.