Copper, brass and silver utensils have a special place in Indian homes, particularly during festivals, pujas and other religious ceremonies. Since these utensils are often stored away for long periods, they can develop a dark or blackish layer of tarnish over time.
With Janmashtami falling on September 4, 2026, many households will be taking out their traditional puja utensils. If your brass, copper or silver vessels have lost their shine, you don't necessarily need expensive cleaning powders or hours of vigorous scrubbing. Several simple ingredients available in your kitchen can help remove tarnish and restore their shine.
Here are some easy home remedies you can try before Janmashtami.
How to Clean Brass Utensils
Brass plates, bowls, glasses and pots can be cleaned easily with lemon and salt.
Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle some salt over the cut surface. Rub it gently over the brass utensil, paying attention to areas where the black or dull layer has accumulated. You can clean both the inside and outside of the vessel this way.
Once the tarnish starts coming off, rinse the utensil thoroughly with water and immediately dry it with a soft cotton cloth.
Another option is to prepare a paste using amchur powder and sour curd. Apply the mixture to the brass utensil and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it off. This can help loosen the dull layer and make cleaning easier.
Easy Way to Polish Copper Utensils
Copper utensils can also be cleaned with lemon and curd. However, tamarind is another traditional ingredient that works particularly well for removing tarnish from copper.
Soak some tamarind in water and squeeze it well to extract the pulp. Apply the tamarind pulp over the entire copper vessel and leave it for around five minutes.
After that, gently scrub the surface, rinse it thoroughly and wipe it completely dry with a clean cloth.
How to Clean Silver Utensils
Silver utensils require a gentler approach. One commonly used home method involves aluminium foil, baking soda and salt.
First, heat some water. Take a large bowl and line its inside with aluminium foil. Add baking soda and salt to the hot water and place the silver utensils in the solution.
Allow them to remain immersed for around 20 minutes. The process can help loosen the dark tarnish from the silver surface.
Remove the utensils and gently clean them with a soft brush or scrubber before rinsing and drying them thoroughly. The same type of cleaning method can also be used for some silver jewellery, although delicate or valuable pieces are better handled according to the manufacturer's care instructions.
No Lemon or Tamarind? Try Tomato
If you don't have lemon or tamarind at home, tomato juice can also be used as a mild acidic cleaning option.
Apply tomato juice to the tarnished area, leave it for a short while and then rinse the utensil. Since tomato is generally milder than some other acidic ingredients, stubborn tarnish may require a little more cleaning.
You can also try a mixture of vinegar and rock salt for suitable metal utensils.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before using any homemade cleaning remedy, identify the metal correctly and avoid aggressive scrubbing, especially on plated, engraved or antique utensils. Acidic ingredients should not be left on the surface for too long. Always rinse the utensil thoroughly after cleaning and dry it immediately to prevent water spots and further tarnishing.
With a few basic kitchen ingredients and the right method, your traditional copper, brass and silver utensils can look much cleaner and brighter in time for Janmashtami.
