Things You'll Need:
- Tomato juice or catsup, hot vinegar, hot buttermilk, salt and lemon
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Step 1
Clean your unlacquered copper or brass with tomato juice, catsup, hot buttermilk, hot vinegar or equal parts vinegar and salt. Pour the liquids right into the pot and scrub with a stuff brush or textured sponge.
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Step 2
To remove tarnish, dip half of a lemon into equal parts vinegar and salt, then use the lemon as a sponge. Scrub the pot until the tarnish is removed.
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Step 3
Clean lacquered or ornamental copperware by rinsing it in soapy water and wiping it dry.
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Step 4
To remove rust, fill the pot or pan with hay, and add water to the top. Boil the hay/water for a few hours or until all rust is removed.
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Step 5
Clean silver by using a soft cloth dipped in ammonia. Dab it in whiting, and polish. Or mix 2 cups warm water with 4 oz. whiting. Add ammonia after the mixture cools, and keep it stored in an airtight container.
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Step 6
To clean and restore luster to aluminum pots and pans, first immerse them in water, then add stalks of rhubarb or tomatoes and bring the whole mix to a boil. If you don't have the vegetables, you may mix equal parts of vinegar and water, then boil. Wipe the pots and pans dry once the discoloration has been removed.
