Cleaning Copper

Two weeks ago my "cleaning fairies" came for a visit. (This is one reason why I am NOT superwoman, because I simply can't do it all anymore). As I was getting ready to run out the door as soon as they came, the one shouted, "hey Erin, you really need to clean the fireplace hood". Ugh. I was waiting for this, but dread the job. It's time consuming, dirty & nearly impossible to do correctly. You may ask, why don't your fairies do this? Well, I pay them too much to take time to work on just this. After my heavy groan the one says, it's a great job for your husband! I nearly laughed out loud knowing he would never in a million years try to tackle this job. That afternoon I turned to my trusty old friend google for "ways to clean a copper fire place hood". The remedies ranged from lemon & vinegar to copper cleaner (duh) to ketchup! WTH...ketchup? Odd, right? Of course I like to be a little different and surprise people with weird things. How cool would it be if I said, you're not going to believe this, I cleaned my copper hood with ketchup! That's all the motivation I needed to start this task I've been putting off for over two years. It took some work, but I did it! Lots of ketchup, paper towels, and rags, but the job is done. I'm not sure I really ever want to eat ketchup again after seeing what it can do. I can't wait until the cleaning fairies come back on Monday & check it out!

Finished Product!

Right side clean. Left side dirty.