How to Clean A Copper Water Bottle

Storing and consuming water from copper pots and bottles is an age-old practice that has continued into the modern era. It’s believed that the chemical properties of copper help to weaken and eliminate bacteria in the water, thereby purifying it. 

If you purchased a copper water bottle many months ago, you may have noticed its brilliant shine give way to a darker and duller layer. This layer forms due to natural oxidation processes and can be removed using a few simple household ingredients.

You can clean the exterior of a copper water bottle by applying a combination of lemon juice and salt or vinegar and salt by gently rubbing it with a soft cloth. The same solution can also be used to clean the inside of the copper water bottle by closing the lid and shaking it for several seconds before disposing of the liquid.

In this guide, we’ll share a step-by-step process that you can follow to get your copper water bottle looking as good as new! Towards the end of this article, we’ll also be sharing some important maintenance tips that you can follow. Let’s get started!

1. Remove Contents

The first step in the cleaning process is to remove the contents from your copper bottle. If you have any water or liquids currently sitting in the bottle, you should pour them out and rinse the inside with clean water.

2. Clean the Outside and the Lid

There are three different areas you’ll need to clean, the outside, the lid, and the inside. In this step, we’ll focus on cleaning all exterior parts, which are the outside and the lid.

You can clean both of these parts of your copper water bottle using either a mild dishwashing liquid, vinegar and salt, baking soda, and lemon, lemon and salt, or tamarind. You’ll find a thorough cleaning guide of these methods below.

Using Dishwashing Liquid

One of the simplest and most straightforward ways to clean your copper water bottle’s exterior and lid is by using a mild dishwashing liquid. While you’re able to use any suitable dishwashing solution, we recommend using Ajax Super Degreaser Dish Liquid because it contains many active ingredients designed to remove grease and give metal dishes their shine back.

Cleaning Instructions:

Here’s how to clean your copper water bottle with a mild dishwashing liquid:

1. Combine 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of water and stir until the dishwashing liquid has completely dissolved.
2. Apply the solution to your copper bottle’s exterior and lid, and scrub them using a soft cloth in firm circular motions.
3. Repeat this until all types of stains are gone.
4. Then, rinse off the excess solution with cool water.

Using Vinegar and Salt

Alternatively, you can also clean your copper bottle’s exterior and lid using vinegar and salt. Many people prefer this method because these ingredients because they are effective and readily available at home. 

Vinegar and salt are also both natural ingredients, so you won’t need to worry about any artificial chemicals acting on your copper bottle.

Cleaning Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step guide below to clean your copper water bottle using vinegar and salt:

1. Combine 1 teaspoon of salt with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and stir thoroughly.
2. Dip the mixture with a soft cotton cloth or a cotton ball and rub it onto the bottle’s exterior surface and lid.
3. Use firm circular motions on particular oxidation stains to remove them entirely. 
4. Once the stains have been removed, rinse the surfaces with clean water.

Using Baking Soda and Lemon

A baking soda and lemon solution also offer an effective way to clean your copper water bottle exterior and lid. Baking soda is alkaline and naturally great at dissolving compounds while lemon is acidic and can dissolve different contaminants. 

Combining the two creates a powerful mixture that is excellent at removing oxidation stains from copper. However, it’s important to note that this method works best for mild stains. For tougher stains, you’ll want to refer to other methods mentioned in this guide.  

Cleaning Instructions:

Here’s how you can easily clean your copper bottle using baking soda and lemon:

1. Combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of lemon.
2. Rub the mixture onto the copper bottle’s exterior and lid with a soft cotton cloth or a cotton ball.
3. To remove stubborn stains, use firm circular motions to rub until they are gone. 
4. Then, rinse off the excess with cool water.

Using Lemon and Salt

If you find that the baking soda and lemon method doesn’t remove the tough stain on your copper water bottle, we recommend using this method instead. This method replaces the smaller particle sizes of the baking soda with larger ones like coarse salts, which are more abrasive and can help remove tougher oxidation stains. 

Cleaning Instructions:

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to use lemon and salt to clean your copper water bottle:

1. First, cut a large lemon in half and sprinkle salt onto it.
2. Then, scrub the bottle’s surface with the lemon until all the oxidation stains are gone.
3. Give the bottle’s exterior and lid a rinse with clean water then wash it using dishwashing liquid to remove any excess solution.
4. Rinse the bottle again to remove any excess dishwashing liquid.

Using Tamarind

A more traditional approach to cleaning your copper water bottle is by using tamarind. Copper vessels were traditionally cleaned using this method because the fruit contains acids that dissolve the oxidized layers on copper surfaces. 

Note that this method does take longer than the others as it involves applying tamarind paste to the bottle’s surface and waiting for it to dry before rinsing or scrubbing it off.

Cleaning Instructions:

Here’s how to clean your copper bottle using tamarind:

1. Take a small quantity of tamarind fruit and remove the seeds before soaking it in warm water until it has softened. 
2. Then, rub the fruit against the copper water bottle’s exterior and lid until it is covered in tamarind paste.
3. Allow the paste to sit for 10 to 15 minutes or until it has dried completely.
4. Rinse the dried paste off with cool water or use a sponge to scrub the paste off under running water.

3. Clean the Inside

Once you have cleaned all exterior parts, you can focus on cleaning the interior of your copper water bottle. This may appear to be more difficult because you won’t be able to reach into the bottle and clean it effectively.

However, all you need to do is select the appropriate cleaning solution from the options we’ve listed in detail earlier and pour it into the bottle. To do this, simply close the lid and give it a good shake before disposing of the solution and rinsing the inside of the bottle.

If you opt for the tamarind method, just add a handful of tamarind paste with half a cup of water and shake. You can also use a bottle cleaning brush as an abrasive when cleaning the inside of your copper water bottle. This tool can help clean hard-to-reach places like the corners of the bottle’s base. 

4. Rinse the Bottle

Once you are done cleaning the outside and inside of your copper water bottle, you should give it a final rinse with cold water. This will help remove any residue or odors left by the leftover cleaning solutions. 

You can do this by running the bottle’s exterior under cool water and scrubbing it with a soft cloth. Make sure to also rinse the bottle’s interior by filling it with clean water, placing the lid onto it, shaking the bottle, and then removing the lid and disposing of the water.

5. Wipe and Air Dry

Once you’re done cleaning and rinsing your copper water bottle, give it a wipe and air dry it. This will reduce the likelihood of water stains developing on its surfaces. You can use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe down the bottle’s exterior and lid.

You can then place the bottle upside down on a drying rack to allow the water inside to drip out. Ensure the bottle has fully dried before placing it in storage in a cool and ventilated area.

Tips to Maintain Your Copper Bottle

Copper water bottles typically require more maintenance than other types of water bottles because their copper surfaces tend to oxidize over time. For this reason, you will need to look after your copper water bottle regularly to help maintain its pristine and shiny appearance.

This includes storing it in the right conditions, rinsing it after each use, wiping away excess water, giving it a deep clean monthly, and keeping it away from extremely hot temperatures. Below, you’ll find the best methods to maintaining your copper water bottle: 

• Store It In A Cool and Dry Place: Place your copper bottle in a cool and dry place to reduce the chances of mold and mildew developing from moisture in its surroundings.
• Rinse It After Every Use: Rinsing your copper bottle will remove any food particles or compounds on its surface. It’s important to remove these particles after every use to avoid staining the copper surface. 
• Always Wipe Away Excess Water: Wiping excess water reduces the likelihood of water stains developing on the bottle’s surfaces, which may be difficult to remove if left for long periods of time.
• Deep Clean Every Month: Giving the bottle a deep clean every month gets rid of the thin oxidation layers. Keeping up with this cleaning routine means your bottle won’t ever develop a thick and dark oxidation layer.
• Avoid Exposing Bottle to High Temperatures: Exposing your copper water bottle to high temperatures can irreversibly warp its shape. If it gets too warped, the lid won’t be able to fit onto it properly, and you won’t get a good seal.