How to Clean Brass Utensils at Home | Easy Brass Cleaning Tips

Are you planning a celebration but concerned about how tiring it would be to remove the dark appearance of your brass utensils? Don’t worry, we're sharing some safe and natural ways to clean your brass items at home.

Brass is believed to bring positive energy, and the golden glow of brass items makes them attractive. They add classic elegance to a home. Brassware, such as a pital thali used during a festive dinner party or a brass diya lit during a puja occasion, is an integral part of our cherished memories and traditions. 

However, brass items require maintenance. As time passes, brass can lose its shine, and the charm is lost when the golden glow fades due to a lack of care.

Let's explore how to clean brass utensils at home and keep them shiny.

Quick Summary

To restore the shine to brass utensils at home, follow these simple guidelines:

• Take a half-cut lemon, dip it into some salt, and rub it over the utensil to remove the tarnish.

• Mix vinegar and baking soda to create a paste. Apply it to the brass, wait a few minutes, and then wipe it clean to bring back its glossy appearance.

• Use tomato pulp or tamarind; their natural acids help remove the dark layer of the brass.

• Apply a mixture of flour, salt, and vinegar to deeply tarnished brass objects; it works as a natural polish.

• For quick and light polishing, regular toothpaste works well for lightly tarnished brass items.

Why Does Brass Tarnish?

Brass is an alloy of metals, primarily composed of copper and zinc. We often notice that our brass utensils lose their shine and a dark layer develops after using them for some time.

This happens because brass reacts when it comes into contact with water, air, or some foods. This process is known as tarnishing, which is the natural oxidation of brass. To remove this patina, or darkened layer of brass, regular cleaning and proper care are required.

This can be done by following some simple, safe, and natural cleaning hacks for brass items at home. No harsh chemicals or expensive products are required for this. Let's explore the guidelines. 

How to Clean Brass Vessels/Utensils Easily at Home:

1. Lemon and Salt 

Cut a lemon in half and add a pinch of salt to it. Clean the brass utensil with the lemon and salt mixture to remove the tarnish.

The acid in the lemon helps remove the tarnish, and the salt will work as a mild scrubber.  This is ideal for cleaning brass bowls, plates, and puja objects used daily.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar 

When brass is heavily discoloured and has stubborn dark spots, try cleaning it with a mixture of white vinegar and an equal amount of baking soda.

Apply the paste to the brass item and wait for five to ten minutes, then wipe it clean with a sponge or soft cloth. This mixture naturally removes tough stains.  

3. Tamarind Pulp or Tomato Juice

Apply some tomato juice or tamarind pulp to the brass surface. Wait for a few minutes, then rinse it with water. The natural acids in tomatoes and tamarind make the brass shiny by removing the tarnish.

4. Flour, Salt, and Vinegar Mask 

Make a paste of flour, salt, and vinegar, using equal amounts of each. Apply the paste to the brass objects and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with water.

This natural polishing method can be applied to cleaning antique vessels, bells, Hawan spoons, and pooja thalis.

5. Toothpaste 

Take a small amount of plain white toothpaste on a soft cloth. Polish the brass with the cloth. After that, rinse and completely dry the item. Lightly tarnished brass items can be polished quickly with toothpaste.

How to Maintain Brass Utensils & Keep Them Glowing:

• After every use, wash brass utensils immediately with warm water and mild soap.

• For daily cleaning, use mild dish soap with a soft cloth or a sponge only. Avoid using harsh detergents and rough scrubbers. 

• Always wipe your utensils thoroughly and dry them completely to prevent water stains.

• Keep in a dry location. To prevent oxidation, wrap them in a soft cloth.

Conclusion

Brass utensils are often used during celebrations, especially at festivals, weddings, and pooja occasions. When they become tarnished, you can safely bring back their lost shine and the stories they hold by following our easy, natural cleaning methods at home, using ingredients such as tamarind pulp, baking soda, lemon, and salt. 

Explore handcrafted, brass Pooja items and flatware by Eyaas!

FAQs on Cleaning Brass Utensils

Q: What is the fastest way to clean brass?

Cleaning brass with salt and lemon is the fastest method for removing tarnish from it.  Scrub the brass surface with a half-sliced lemon with some salt, then wash it thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth. 

Q: How to Keep Brass Clean and Shiny?

To keep your brassware shiny, clean it often using natural polishing methods. Wash it immediately after every use and store it properly.

Q: How do you clean very dirty brass?

Make a paste with vinegar and baking soda. Apply it to brass items and keep it for 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub and wash. Don’t forget to wipe it clean with a soft cloth. 

Q: Does lemon juice clean brass?

Yes! Lemon juice effectively removes the darkened layer of brass because lemon is acidic. You can get the best result when it is used with a bit of salt. 

Q: Does toothpaste clean brass?

Yes, lightly darkened brass can be effectively cleaned with regular white toothpaste.