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Copper and silver are ubiquitous in almost every desi household, and with the festive season approaching, it is time to bring out silver and copper pooja thalis, diyas, lotas and other utensils. A big challenge that might dawn upon you is how to return your copper and silverware to its old, lustrous shine.
Copper and silver do not tarnish or gather dirt on their surface in the same manner; therefore, the hack used to reverse it can be different. Before reaching for expensive metal cleaners, Indian kitchens have ingredients stocked that can be used as a quick and efficient hack for cleaning. Despite the traditional use of these metals, they can be tarnished or begin to corrode often, and not all viral hacks work for all. However, some desi hacks backed up even by science can help polish your old silver and copper and restore their shine. Silver tarnish isn’t simply a layer of dirt; it is largely the result of chemical reactions at the metal’s surface, such as compounds of silver sulphide. Research into electrochemical cleaning has shown that an aluminium and silver system can help remove tarnish layers through a mere chemical reaction rather than physically scrubbing them away. The reaction between aluminium and silver removes the dark silver sulfide while the aluminium is oxidized. Naturally containing saponins, this fruit acts like a soap-like surface cleaning agent to remove tarnish, dirt or grease from your silver without leaving any scratches or marks on it. This fruit should be soaked in water for a couple of hours or even overnight. Once this soapy water is prepared, your silverware can be dipped in the bowl and scrubbed gently using a soft brush or coconut husk to clean it thoroughly. Local goldsmiths, jewelers and Indian households have long used this eco-friendly technique for cleaning silver for centuries. These hacks, which may seem confusing carry simple chemistry behind them. Indian kitchens, like a cauldron, have long carried with them the ingredients to refurbish the copper and silver used in Indian households.
