How to clean copper and brass

If you are keeping brass/copper items for display or storing water in the copper container, it’s better to wash these items regularly, especially copper vessel on every alternate day.

The more regularly you clean, the lesser time it will take to clean them.

If you happen to clean them once in a while, it will take enormous time to remove the dark blemishes.

Here are three methods with which you can clean brass/copper items.

1. Using tamarind and lemon

• Some people prefer not to use chemicals on pooja utensils so they can use tamarind or lemon.
• Wash the brass/copper item in plain water and rub tamarind on it.
• You can make tamarind paste by soaking tamarind in water for some time.
• Apply this paste all over the brass/copper item.
• After 5 minutes, remove stains with a scrub and then wash properly.
• You can also rub lemon on it to get extra shine and later wash it with water.
• This method will work if you are cleaning copper utensils every day.

2. With gram flour (‘Besan’ in Hindi)

• This again is a natural way of cleaning brass/copper.
• It is an effective method for a delicate brass/copper jewelry.
• Make gram flour/besan paste by adding a few drops of water in the flour.
• Apply this paste all over the item inside and outside.
• If necessary, clean it with a brush or a scrub.
• You can apply besan with your hands if the ornament is delicate.
• Wash the item in the running water.

3. Using powder/liquid (Pitambari)

• There are a few powders’ brands available in the market to wash brass and copper items.
• A popular brand here is ‘Pitambari’. It is also available in liquid form.
• You need to apply this powder with a few drops of water all over the item.
• Keep it for 5 minutes and then scrub it properly to remove the stains.
• You may need to reapply until the utensil gets its shine.
• Clean it with water properly until the odor of the powder completely vanishes.

Tip

• Wipe the brass/copper item with a cotton napkin after cleaning it with any of the above methods and let it dry in the sun else the stains of water droplets can remain on the surface of the item/vessel.

Happy Cleaning!