Cleaning really badly tarnished copper

John Lewis do some stuff called Town Talk Anti Tarnish Brass and Copper polish. You rub it on and then rinse it off and dry with a soft cloth. I have only used the silver version of the polish but it is good. I used to use JL silver foam, but this is not as messy.

Or salt and white wine vinegar.

I've heard you can make a paste with salt vinegar and flour then apply with a tooth brush leave for a while and just wash off in warm water... sposed to work well.

Thank you - I'll try anything that doesn't involve too much elbow grease!

I use tomato ketchup to clean my Cooper piping it's the only thing I can get t clean with

I know it sounds daft but I accidentally spilt tomato ketchup on part of an old saucepan.The area affected came up like new so I decided to cover the whole pan with the stuff, it worked a treat!

It does sound daft but IT WORKS. Tomato sauce it is. I'll buy JL next time I go though for regular use!

If the tomato sauce works, kitty I'd stick with that - it's a helluva lot cheaper than Town Talk!!

While we're on the subject, toothpaste cleans silver. I put it on a toothbrush and clean sliver bracelets etc with it.

I only do it about once a month,,,,was going to box pipes off but elderly plumber told me to do this over 30 years ago...Lovely feature attached to range

Tomato ketchup works beautifully. Spread it on, leave five minutes clean off with one of those sponge/scourer washing up pads. Depending on the brand it might leave a rosy glow.

Thanks J52, I'd forgotten the toothpaste trick.

brown sauce works too

And for silver, line a bowl with aluminium foil, add a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda, the pour over boiling water so that is fizzes. Soak the silver in it while it is still hot. You can almost watch the tarnish vanishing. The aluminium goes discoloured as the tarnish molecules transfer to it.

Rinse it then, of course, and rub it up with a soft cloth. don't do this on any plated silver that has bare bits of the under metal, they will discolour.

Yes I think it's ketchup too and I wonder if it works on brass as well? Anyone know?

It is the vinegar in the tomato sauce and brown sauce. The rest of the ingredients just spread it nicely around and keep it in place to do its work.

Brown sauce, cheap and better than using harsh chemicals, rub it on leave for a few minutes rub off. Make sure you have sunglasses close to hand

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Thank you for reminding me that my copper tray needs cleaning. I use Brasso wadding cleaner, which I think used to be called Duraglit. Although the tray is ornate it doesn't get stuck in the grooves. Rub on, buff off, hardly any elbow grease required and very satisfying.