Cooking essentials that can be used to clean dirt and rust from old brass utensils

In most Indian households, brass utensils are like a prized possession that is often passed on through generations and are mostly used in festivals, ceremonies and rituals. And it is that time of the year when the festive season is here, and right before that the struggle to clean anything and everything is the most exhausting thing for any homemaker. While most people struggle with chemical based soaps, solutions and even powder based options, the results are mostly unsatisfactory and often end up damaging the original sheen of the utensils. Well, we have got your back with some age-old hacks that were used to clean and preserve these metal utensils.

Since ages, Tamarind has been used to clean heavy metal utensils, this is because of its exfoliating properties and presence of natural acids that help in breaking down the dirt, grime and tarnish, which further helps in cleaning the utensil without any damage. To use this just soak tamarind pulp in warm water to make a paste, then apply this pulp to the brass surface. Now, take a simple scrub or the fibrous part of tamarind to loosen grime and tarnish. For heavy stains, boil water with tamarind and a splash of vinegar, then immerse the utensils in this solution for about half an hour, then wash it nicely and immediately wipe off with a cloth.

Another age-old way to clean utensils was by using Rak also known as Charcoal, this is because of its abrasive property perfect for cleaning brass utensils marked by stubborn stains or grease. To use this method, take a piece of clean, unused charcoal and rub it directly onto the surface of the brass utensil. The slightly rough texture of charcoal helps lift off dirt without scratching the metal. Another simple way to use it is by dampening the brass slightly before rubbing with charcoal or moisten the charcoal itself. Once the tarnish and grime are loosened, wipe the utensil with a clean cloth and rinse with water. Charcoal’s natural adsorptive power pulls impurities from the metal surface.

Lemon juice is a widely known natural cleaner because of its acidic properties, which effectively dissolve tarnish and oxidation on brass. To clean brass utensils, sprinkle some salt or flour on the brass surface and then drizzle fresh lemon juice over it. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the surface in circular motions. The combination of lemon’s citric acid and salt’s mild abrasive texture results in a sparkling finish. After scrubbing, rinse the utensil thoroughly with water and dry it immediately to prevent water stains.

A simple trick to clean black and dirty brass utensils is by making a solution, which can be made by mixing lemon juice, salt, dish wash and mixing it well. Dip half cut lemon in the solution, coat the utensils and rub it well. Keep it for 10 minutes and wash it well with lukewarm water.