Cleaning brass, copper, chrome-plated samovars at home

At TSK TULAVAR we believe that the traditional samovar is the most important attribute of home gatherings with the family. Shining and important, it always pleases the eye and soul. But, like any other household item, it requires proper care, even if it is not used for its intended purpose. Sooner or later, the surface of the samovar becomes covered with stains, plaque, oxide, and unsightly stains; the body must be cleaned of scale and carbon deposits (in the case of fire-heated samovars).

How to clean the outside of the samovar without spoiling it worries many owners of this household utensil. The cleaning method will depend on what material the samovar is made of, in order to take into account the chemical and mechanical compatibility of the cleaning agent with the surface of the product.

Folk remedies

In most situations, to restore the shine of brass products, it is enough to use traditional methods. The means at hand allow you to clean objects, regardless of their shape and size, without much expense.

Oxalic acid

A simple detergent, one of the ingredients of which is oxalic acid, is suitable for treating brass. The substance must be applied to a sponge, carefully treat the brass surface with it and wait for the reaction to appear. When exposed to acid, a small deposit will begin to form, which can be easily washed off under the pressure of water with a brush. After washing the product, you need to sprinkle soda on it, after 20-30 minutes, wash it again and rub it until shiny.

If it is necessary to perform deep cleaning, make a mixture of oxalic acid and warm water, observing the proportions of 200 g per 10 liters. An acid solution is prepared in a deep container, a contaminated object is placed inside, until it darkens and washed. This method is suitable for combating old stains caused by the oxidation process.

Acetone

Simple acetone can also restore the brass alloy to its original appearance. Acetone in its pure form or as part of a nail polish remover is suitable for cleaning. A cotton pad or soft sponge is generously moistened in the liquid and, applying force, wipe the stains on the product. You can use a similar method to clean copper objects.

Toothpaste

A common folk technique is the use of abrasive cleaning agents, including toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of paste from the tube onto a toothbrush or rag and wipe the dull areas on the coating until the stains are completely removed. To achieve an effective result, you need to first wash the brass product in soapy water to remove stains that have arisen for other reasons (old grease, dirt, adhering dust).

Vinegar

Only recently appeared stains can be removed with undiluted vinegar. Heat the vinegar on the stove and wipe the brass with it. To clean a product with old stains, you need to dilute half a glass of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt in 2-3 liters of water. This mixture is heated to boiling point. When the solution boils, place an object inside and boil for 3-4 hours, periodically adding evaporating water. During a long boil, all stains will be washed away, and all that remains is to rub the surface to restore shine by polishing.

Lemon acid

Citric acid granules are sprinkled onto the brass coating and rubbed vigorously into the contaminated areas. You can also make a cleanser using half a lemon and a pinch of salt. The lemon is thoroughly coated in salt and the dark spots on the product are smeared. This method is suitable for removing both recent and old oxidation.

Emery

Sandpaper is used to clean large products with a large volume of oxides. For example, you can sand a brass basin or fireplace grate

It is important to consider that after rubbing with sandpaper, the product will lose its original shine, so you should resort to this method for items that do not require special handling. Brass jewelry, decorative items and rare items are cleaned using other means.

Soapy water

Newly appeared oxide stains can be removed with a soap solution. It is recommended to use laundry soap, which effectively cleans the brass surface. You can rub in soapy water using a soft cloth or sponge.

After soaking, the brass is rinsed with clean water, wiped and polished to restore its original shine.

Salt

You can clean brass with fine salt, which is mixed with low-fat cream. The mixture is applied to the oxidized areas and rubbed in. To treat old stains, it is recommended to pre-soak the mixture for an hour.

Vinegar dough

Using vinegar, a common method for processing sour dough is. It is suitable for application to products containing copper. The method is as follows:

1. Mix 1 cup of flour and 0.5 cups of warm liquid and vinegar.
2. The oxidized areas are covered with the resulting dough with a thick consistency and left to dry.
3. After the dough has dried, it is carefully torn off the surface and the product is polished with a soft cloth.

As an additional measure, you can treat the product with a polishing agent. This will help restore the shine of the product.

How to descale a samovar

You can clean the inside of an antique samovar from scale using a special descaling agent. The advantages of this method: simplicity, accessibility and efficiency. To clean, carefully read the instructions on the packaging and follow them exactly.

You can also quickly remove internal plaque using available home remedies and methods:

1. Pour 0.5 bottles of acetic acid into the samovar and fill the container to the top with water. Warm up the device to +60 ℃ and leave for an hour. After the allotted time, wash all parts with clean running water.
2. Pour 1 kg of potato peelings into the samovar, fill them with water and cook. Then, after a few hours, go over the entire surface thoroughly with a sponge soaked in soda.
3. Stir 30 g of citric acid in water and pour the solution into a container. Boil and leave for 10-12 hours, and then wash well with a soft sponge. Lemons can be used instead of citric acid.
4. Many people use soda for cleaning. Pour Coca-Cola or Sprite into a container and boil for 30 minutes. Remove the softened deposits with a soft brush and rinse the product thoroughly. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Proper cleaning and care of the samovar will ensure its long service life and help maintain its original shine.

How to clean a copper samovar

Samovars are made from various metals, which require an individual approach. Almost any surface of a samovar with corrosion or plaque can be restored using one of the methods given below in the article.

An old samovar requires a more careful approach. Ordinary acid solutions will not cope here. The best remedy is Goya paste, but the procedure will be lengthy. Apply the product and leave for a day, then rinse and repeat the procedure until you achieve the desired result.

Cleaning a samovar is not an easy task, since it is important to take into account the age of the product and the material from which it is made. However, with a little effort, you can clean it until it shines and enjoy aromatic tea in warm, soulful company.

The article contains useful tips and recommendations that will help you clean the product and restore it to its former beauty.

Before washing off stains, determine the material of the product, since the processing method and the choice of cleaning agent depend on it. Typically, copper, brass or stainless steel is used for manufacturing. Aluminum and nickel-plated products are quite rare.

Be sure to find out whether the item has historical value (especially for coal-fired samovars). To do this, carefully examine it from all sides. If you find a mark or ancient inscriptions, contact a specialist and find out the cost of such a relic. If the product is not a rarity, clean it and use it for making tea or conducting themed photo shoots.

General cleaning recommendations:

1. Disassemble the product by unscrewing all handles, stands, valves and decorative elements. This will make the cleaning process easier and help achieve better results.
2. Use gentle cleaning products. Do not use compounds with abrasive particles, even if you need to clean an old samovar. Such products leave scratches, which spoils the aesthetic appearance.
3. For cleaning, use only soft sponges or cloth. This will not only help avoid damage, but will also make the product shiny.
4. Before using any product, test it on an inconspicuous area and observe the reaction. If the treated area has changed color, use a different solution.

Copper surfaces can be cleaned using the following home remedy:

1. Combine salt, vinegar and flour.
2. Use the resulting mixture to thoroughly treat the entire product, cleaning even the most hidden corners.
3. Wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth to remove any remaining cleaning product.

To clean small copper parts, boil them in a solution of soda ash (2 g per 500 ml of water) for 30 minutes. Then rinse all the elements well and wipe with a dry cloth.

If the samovar is covered with a green coating, this indicates an oxidation process. You should entrust the cleaning of such a product to specialists, since it is unlikely that you will be able to cope with the problem yourself.

With regular use of the samovar, traces of scale and other deposits remain inside and outside. To remove such stains, various products are used, some of which are not suitable for treating copper, others - chromium and nickel. Therefore, when choosing a method on how to clean the samovar yourself at home, you need to take into account the material used to make this kettle.

Brass

Brass samovars have been made for a long time. The presence of this material suggests that the kitchen utensils may be antiques

Therefore, care must be taken during cleaning

Cleaning the samovar

The samovar comes in different sizes and shapes.
It can be found less and less often in modern apartments. It is no longer possible to buy such a thing in a store. They stopped releasing them as unnecessary. After all, they were replaced by amazing devices - electric kettles. The first samovars were heated over a fire, and after some time they began to be produced with an electric heating element. To buy such a rarity in our time, you need to turn to collectors. Another option is to travel through remote villages, where every house not only had such an item, but, most likely, remained there.

Preparatory stage

The purchased item must be washed, cleaned and disinfected. In order to properly clean the samovar to a shine, you need, first of all, to clarify what material its body is made of. After this, a suitable and available product is selected and the appropriate work is carried out.

If the item is very old, then most likely its body is made of copper or brass. Such a product will be very expensive, as it is a real antique. It is possible that a manufacturer's mark may be found on its surface. To find out the real value of the item, you need to take it to an antique dealer. Such a specialist will be able to determine not only the year of manufacture, but also tell the market value of such a rarity.

Knowing the real cost of the samovar, you need to decide whether such a family heirloom is needed in the house? If the answer to this question is yes, then you should start cleaning it.

Effective Home Remedies

Having determined the material from which the product body is made, you can prepare cleaning products available for cleaning. Your kitchen cabinets or medicine cabinet must have the following ingredients:

• flour;
• rock salt;
• vinegar;
• soda;
• lemon;
• lemon acid;
• ammonia;
• dentifrice;
• medical alcohol; oxalic acid;
• acetic acid;
• soda.

If the cleaning is serious, then you cannot do without gasoline and GOI paste.
Be sure to have rubber gloves, felt, a piece of flannel, a sponge or washcloth, newspaper and a bucket. Many people know that samovars used to be cleaned with sand. But this method is unlikely to be suitable for rarities. The surface after such treatment will be completely scratched. Before using toxic chemicals, you should try gentle cleaning products. They may not only be cheaper, but also better for a certain surface. It is recommended to disassemble the structure before cleaning: remove the handles, faucet, key, crown and stand. Each part will have to be cleaned separately, but this will make them even cleaner.

Caring for your copper product

This surface is familiar to many. Despite all its advantages, it requires regular cleaning. The following methods are suitable for external processing:

1. A solution is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. salt and 0.5 tbsp. l. vinegar. Apply to the surface of the product and leave for several minutes. Use a sponge to clean the surface treated with the solution. Wash with cold water and polish with a dry cloth.
2. Black spots can be removed from the surface by rubbing them with a lemon cut in half.
3. A paste made from lemon juice and salt is also an excellent cleanser.
4. The well-known store-bought ketchup should be applied to the surface, rubbed with a sponge and left for a while. Rinse off the surface with plenty of water.

Any used product must be washed off the surface after treatment.
Using a soft rag, the surface is wiped and polished. When cleaning, you need to remember that a light coating of patina can give the product an old and noble look. A gray-green coating on individual parts of the samovar indicates that the metal is in the stage of active oxidation. You won’t be able to remove it yourself, but you will be able to damage the surface. With such a problem, you need to contact a professional restorer, who will return things to their excellent appearance without any problems.

Rarity made of brass

In order for a brass device to always be in excellent condition, first of all, you need to store it correctly. A room with high humidity is not suitable for it. To clean the outside of a brass samovar, the following methods are suitable:

1. Mix water (125 ml) and ammonia (30 g). Add dry tooth powder (2 tbsp) to the mixture. The resulting composition can be used to clean the surface both outside and inside.
2. Dissolve oxalic acid (1 tbsp) in a liter of water. Treat the outer surface with the resulting product. After an hour, the product must be rinsed with plenty of water and wiped dry with a clean rag. If the plaque is not completely removed, then you need to clean the surface with baking soda. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.

It is strictly prohibited to use citric, hydrochloric or acetic acid instead of oxalic acid. Cleaning a brass samovar at home is a responsible task. Be sure to follow safety precautions since acid is used. The surface can only be polished after it has been completely cleaned.

Nickel plated samovar

In order not to damage the surface of the samovar, you need to choose products that do not contain abrasive components. You should avoid hard brushes, brushes and acidic products. It is recommended to buy a special paste for cleaning such a surface or use simple folk recipes:

1. To prepare an effective salt (chalk) paste at home, you need to take salt or chalk. The selected ingredient must be crushed into flour. If it is salt, then vinegar is added to it in such an amount that a thick paste-like mixture is obtained. It is applied to the surface and then simply washed off with plenty of water.
2. If rust stains become noticeable on the surface, then you should use grease. It must be applied to the surface and left for a day. To wash off such a layer, you will need alcohol; Ammonia is best.

Folk remedies

You can use folk remedies to clean both internal and external surfaces. The most popular are:

• vinegar;
• lemon;
• toothpaste;
• coca-cola;
• dentifrice.

You can clean the outer walls until they shine using toothpaste or tooth powder. The principles of action of these substances are no different. When using toothpaste, it is applied to the outer surface of the dirty area and rubbed in. The powder is also used, but before this the outer surface is moistened with warm water. Residues of teeth cleaning products must be thoroughly rinsed off the outer surface, then polish the outer walls with lint-free wipes or pieces of cloth.

Toothpaste will help you clean the samovar until it shines.

A simple drink of Coca-Cola can clean the inside of a samovar. This is a very aggressive product, used only in cases of severe contamination. It helps remove scale from the heating element. This is done as follows:

1. Coca-Cola is poured inside the samovar in an amount to completely cover the heating element (plus 2-3 cm).
2. Then the samovar is heated for 15 minutes.
3. After this, you should cool the Coca-Cola directly in the samovar. When it cools, it is poured out and the internal surfaces are cleaned.

When using lemon, wipe the inner surfaces of the walls. This way they are cleaned of a thin layer of scale. Cleansing is carried out as follows:

1. Lemon is cut into thin slices.
2. The inner walls are wiped with slices.
3. To purify, one portion of water is boiled idle.

If desired, you can use freshly squeezed lemon juice. A cotton wool is moistened in it and the walls are treated.

Lemon will help cope with many impurities

You can also clean the samovar using vinegar. It is advisable to choose 6 percent. In its absence, you can double the cleaning time with three percent, but it is better not to use nine percent - it is too concentrated. A piece of cotton wool is soaked in the essence and the surface is wiped with it. Wipe the outer and inner walls until shiny. The more soiled, the more cotton swabs you will have to change.

How to clean a stainless steel product

The most common problems encountered with stainless steel products are staining and tarnishing. Let's look at how to get rid of them.

How to clean the heater and interior walls

You can buy a teapot solution in the store. The main thing is that it is not for the dishwasher or washing machine. And it is very important to strictly follow the instructions so as not to damage the device for boiling water.

External surface cleaning

Stainless steel can be easily cleaned using household kitchen chemicals. You can use gels and powders. But you should never treat the inside with this.

Table vinegar essence is also perfect for cleaning. It is enough to moisten the samovar with acid, then wash everything well and wipe with a soft cloth.

Now all that remains is to assemble the samovar. But you shouldn’t drink tea from it yet: you need to boil the water several times to eliminate the presence of cleaning agent residues.

Advice : before using a samovar, especially if it is antique, it is better to disinfect it. To do this, you need to wipe all parts of the device with a solution of potassium permanganate.

A samovar is a wonderful piece of kitchen utensil. Tea in it becomes tastier, and tea drinking becomes traditional and cozy. But for this to happen, it is important to properly care for the samovar, and then it will please the owners.

Features of operation and prevention of contamination

In a brass samovar, tea is prepared in the same way as in any other samovar. The main condition is that the place where the samovar is installed is safe and comfortable. Measures must be taken to ensure fire safety and avoid burns.

In order for the samovar to serve for a long time, you need to follow these rules:

• A heated samovar should not remain empty, otherwise the inner tube will quickly wear out and the unit will become unusable.
• Soot from coals must be cleaned immediately after use. This makes it easier to remove and there is no need to resort to aggressive cleaning.
• Do not keep water in the appliance between uses. This causes the inner surface to deteriorate.
• It is better to use filtered water to make tea. It produces less scale.
• It is useful to polish the outer surface of the samovar with a special paste 3-4 times a year.

Prevention of a brass samovar includes the following: a heated samovar should not remain empty

If these rules are followed, the samovar will sparkle clean to the delight of the hostess and treat guests to delicious tea.

• Draining the remaining cooled water after boiling will prevent scale formation.
• Brass samovars do not tolerate moisture. To preserve their appearance, they need to be stored in dry places.
• To prevent plaque from forming on the copper device, it is worth periodically wiping the surface with lemon and a soft brush.
• If possible, it is advisable to take the samovar to a professional polisher once every 5-15 years.
• Regularly wipe the product from dust. Sometimes take it apart and wash all parts.
• A hot appliance must not be left without water.

How to clean the outside of any samovar

You don’t want to figure out what the samovar is made of? There are universal cleaning methods that are suitable for any material. In the photo above, the samovar was being cleaned with toothpaste. It became lighter and brighter, but not enough to shine like a copper basin.

This was a preliminary cleaning of an ancient Batashevsky samovar made of brass, which needed a little restoration. How to clean an old samovar of such a respectable age and whether it needs to be cleaned until it shines is up to everyone to decide for themselves.

Use the following:

• Dampen a soft cloth with lemon juice and wipe the outside of the samovar, paying special attention to stains. Leave for 5 minutes, then rub with the same cloth. Rinse with water and polish. For polishing, you can use not only a soft cloth, but also crumpled newspaper if the samovar has a shiny surface.
• Dampen a dishwashing sponge with 9% vinegar and wipe the samovar. Wait five minutes, rub again, rinse and polish.
• If you can’t cope with cleaning the samovar without abrasives, tooth powder will come to the rescue. Mix 50 ml of water, 15 grams of tooth powder, 30 ml of ammonia solution (10%). Apply the resulting composition to the samovar and rub with a soft cloth. Paying special attention to heavily polluted areas. Then rinse everything thoroughly and polish the surface with a soft cloth.

Attention

Be sure to use rubber gloves when cleaning the samovar.

Effective descaling methods

Scale is a constant “companion” of samovars and teapots. To remove such plaque, both folk remedies and household chemicals are suitable.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies can remove both fresh and old traces of scale. After treating the inner walls, it is recommended to boil and drain the water, after which the samovar can be used for its intended purpose.

Organic acids

Succinic acid helps in the fight against scale; fill the samovar 2/3 full and heat it to 70 degrees. Then you need to prepare a mixture of 50 grams of this raw material and a liter of water. This composition must be poured into the samovar and left for 3 hours. Citric acid can remove scale. To clean the plaque you will need 50 grams of this raw material and cold water. After this, the mixture is boiled and drained.

Table vinegar

To remove old traces of plaque, you must first boil the soda solution (2 tablespoons per liter of water), and then the vinegar solution.

To clean the samovar, products designed to remove scale from a kettle are suitable. There is a wide range of such products on the market.

Methods for cleaning a samovar at home

A unique invention, if it has not been used for a long time, has probably become “overgrown” from the inside with a deep layer of gray plaque with a greenish tint (the result of metal oxidation). There are many methods to combat this problem, and before you begin solving the main problem, you need to find a suitable remedy.

To clean at home, you can use:

• special cleaning products;
• organic acids;
• natural products.

The first method involves the use of various anti-lime powders, the chemical compounds of which successfully cope with carbonate deposits on the inner walls of a pot-bellied kettle. They should be used strictly according to the instructions and, as a rule, one sachet is designed for 1 liter of water.

Before descaling a samovar, you should mention the composition of such bags. Often the list of active ingredients of products sold on the shelves in household chemical stores includes organic acids (citric, acetic, adipic, oxalic, etc.).

They are also easy to find in the kitchen and are much easier to use to effectively clean the samovar.

Removing scale from water

When cleaning a samovar at home, you should pay attention not only to the outer part of the device, but also to the inside. Knowing how to descale a samovar can significantly extend its service life.

It is necessary to regularly set aside time to clean the inside of the samovar from scale. This measure will allow the device to last longer. Removing scale will facilitate the transfer of heating temperature from the heating element to the water. If the insides of the samovar are not cleaned, no heat is released and the heating element quickly breaks down. How to clean the samovar from the inside without damaging it? Cleaning the inside of a samovar can be done using various means:

• special means;
• vinegar;
• citric acid;
• potatoes.

Using the methods described above, a copper samovar is cleaned, and a samovar made of brass, nickel and other materials is cleaned. A simple and reliable way to clean a copper samovar is to use a store-bought polish.

The purpose of the product is important. It should be intended for cleaning the samovar

Do not use chemicals intended for cleaning washing machine drums. When using a cleaning agent, it is important to remember that dosages and methods of use vary. Following the instructions exactly will help you clean the samovar made of stainless steel or other materials correctly.

You can clean the device using acetic acid. To clean a samovar made of brass or other materials, acetic acid is poured inside the body. There should be enough vinegar so that the outer part of the heating element is completely covered. This is how ten can be cleaned. Then the samovar is turned on and the liquid in it is heated. You cannot heat it higher than 60 degrees. After heating is complete, the liquid remains in the housing until it cools completely. After this procedure, you can clean the samovar using a dish sponge. The plaque will be easily separated from the heating element. Knowing how to remove scale from a samovar, you can significantly extend the life and operation of this device.

Knowing how to clean a nickel-plated samovar using improvised means, you can carry out a gentle cleaning procedure. You can clean the samovar using citric acid as follows:

1. One package of powder (50 g) is diluted in liters of water.
2. This mixture is poured into the apparatus.
3. The samovar is heated, the liquid boils.
4. After boiling, you can polish the samovar no earlier than 12 hours later. To bring the samovar to a shine from the inside, you should leave the liquid in the device for 12 hours. During this time, the plaque will be corroded.
5. After this period, polishing of the samovar will take place quickly.
6. To polish the inside, use kitchen sponges and scrapers.

Citric acid
Knowing how to clean a samovar that has a slight coating on the walls, you can avoid exposure to aggressive agents. In this case, potato peelings will help. The cleaning left over after cooking is placed in the device. Their number should fill the entire space, the heating element should also be completely covered. Potato peelings placed inside the machine are filled with water. The device becomes hot. After the water boils, the heating device turns off. Potato peelings remain in the apparatus until the water has completely cooled. Then the remaining potatoes are removed from the apparatus, and the plaque on the heating element is removed using a kitchen sponge.

This type of treatment cleans the walls of the plaque that has formed on them. After the cleansing procedure, it is recommended to treat the walls with water using a soft kitchen sponge.

Potato peelings

Cleaning a brass samovar

Any abrasives are extremely harmful for a brass samovar. It is not recommended to use products based on vinegar, citric, orthophosphoric and hydrochloric acids: they wash copper out of the alloy, which is why the antique product acquires an unsightly pinkish tint.

Before cleaning a brass samovar, its surface is degreased with a solution of dish soap or laundry soap.

How to polish brass:

1. Oxalic acid will help clean a brass samovar. This component is found in many plumbing cleaning products. Apply the solution and leave for 5 minutes. After the required time, rinse under running cold water. Oxalic acid gives the material a beautiful copper tint. Heavily contaminated brass can be cleaned with baking soda: apply the product to a damp surface and rub gently.
2. Ammonia will also allow you to wash the outside of the brass surface. Apply the product to a cotton pad or piece of cloth and distribute in a circular motion. There is no need to rinse, just ventilate the samovar.

Household products

Household products are also used to clean samovars. The most popular are:

• liquid laundry soap;
• dishwashing detergents;
• soda solution;
• solid laundry soap;
• dishwashing powders.

Some types of samovars cannot be cleaned with abrasives. These include dishwashing powders and baking soda. What materials cannot be cleaned with abrasive particles are described in the sections above.

You can use laundry soap to clean external dirt such as grease stains or food stains. In this case, liquid laundry soap is applied in a thin layer, and a sponge is soaped with solid soap, which is used to treat the surface. Contaminants should be cleaned using hot water or even boiling water - this way they will come off better. Remaining soap should be rinsed off thoroughly.

It is not recommended to clean internal surfaces with laundry soap. They will not be able to remove scale on the walls or heating element. In addition, the smell of soap is difficult to dissipate.

Dishwashing detergents are used in the same way as liquid laundry soap. They are considered the best for cleaning stainless steel samovars. The stainless steel device can be cleaned with dishwashing detergent both outside and inside. It is advisable to choose products that are odorless. Otherwise, it is necessary to leave the samovar open, and also boil 2-3 portions of water after cleaning. Dishwashing detergent will not be able to remove deep layers of scale. It helps remove thin greasy deposits or film on the inner walls.

Soda solution can be used in combination with other ingredients or alone. For independent use, a small amount of baking soda is mixed with a few drops of water. For one teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of water is enough. This mixture is applied to the outer walls of the samovar, the material of which allows it to be cleaned using abrasive particles. Then, using a kitchen sponge or scrubber, baking soda is used to remove dirt from the outer walls. It is not recommended to clean the inner walls with soda, and it is prohibited to use soda on heating elements.

Cleaning the samovar both inside and outside is possible using improvised means. In this case, the material used to make the device and the location of the contaminated parts are important. With timely cleaning, you can extend the service life of even vintage devices for a long time!

An effective samovar cleaner

How samovars were cleaned in ancient times in Rus'

In the old days, the samovar played an important role in every home, so it was regularly wiped until it shined. Sorrel leaves were most often used. They were taken in a bunch and squeezed, then the samovar was wiped. In winter, fresh sorrel was impossible to find, so frozen cranberries were used. They were defrosted over the fire and the walls of the samovar were rubbed in a circular motion. A little later, salt, clay and chalk came into play.

The samovar was once the main thing in the kitchen of every family. Today it is used more often by lovers of antiques, although its tea-brewing qualities are in no way inferior to modern devices. If you suddenly decide to purchase or take a samovar out of the pantry, then do not worry about its appearance, because there are a large number of methods for cleaning it and polishing it to a perfect shine.

Effective methods for removing internal scale

Having completed the external cleaning of the samovar, you must immediately begin removing scale from its internal walls. Otherwise, a drink made from such water will not please you with its taste.

To obtain optimal results, you can use one of the following methods:

• We take potato peelings, rinse them several times under the tap and put them in the samovar. Pour boiling water over them and leave until it cools completely. We repeat this three times, constantly changing the cleaning. Then we empty the container, rinse it and rub the inside with baking soda powder. It is best to use a soft brush, then you will be able to remove all traces of scale. Rinse the samovar again, pour water into it and boil it. We drain the liquid, only after this the device is allowed to be used for its intended purpose.
• Sweet carbonated water is no less effective at removing limescale. It needs to be poured into a samovar, boiled for half an hour and drained. After this treatment, the remaining scale can be easily removed with a brush or hard sponge.

In addition, acetic or citric acid and soda are used to treat the internal surfaces of the samovar. These options are no less effective, but can leave behind a specific odor that will disappear only after a few days.

Cleaning the surface of a copper samovar

Vinegar, flour, lemon - all of them will help you “rejuvenate” the old copper, return it to its healthy yellowness and shine.

You might be interested in: How to clean a baking sheet from carbon deposits: 7 useful tips for housewives

Vinegar-flour cleaning

This cleaning will help you get rid of not very strong external oxidation:

1. Mix flour, vinegar and salt (coarse).
2. Wipe the surface with the resulting cleaning agent.
3. Take a piece of paper (newspaper will do) or a soft cloth, and thoroughly “polish” the places where there was dirt until it shines.

You may be interested in: How to clean a dishwasher at home

Lemon peel

It is also quite effective for external cleaning of “non-critical” dirt:

1. Take one slice of lemon.
2. You wipe the “exterior” of the samovar with it.
3. Then you clean with a brush.
4. Finally, wash the exterior of the samovar under the tap.

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A few slices of lemon are enough to clean the samovar.

Advice: A small greenish copper coating (patina) should not be removed: it is a “trademark” of antiquity, making a rare product especially charming.

Acetic acid cleaning

This product even cleans strong grayish deposits caused by oxidation.

1. Wear gloves. Be sure to do this - it’s better not to joke with acetic acid.
2. Soak a small soft cloth in 5-10% vinegar.
3. You wipe the copper surface.
4. Use a cloth soaked in water to remove the vinegar solution.
5. Wipe the treated samovar exterior well with a dry cloth.

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How to clean the outside of a samovar?

Previously, the proven abrasive for cleaning a samovar was river sand or brick dust. But you may be completely disappointed when you find out that they can leave obvious scratches.

In the age of modern technology, in our developed time, there are many other methods to make a “pot-bellied pet” shine. Is the contamination insignificant and the product is not in such poor condition? Then turn to the help of folk remedies.

Cleaning copper products.

If a copper device is no longer pleasing to the eye and a gray-green coating has formed on it, then immediately begin removing it. After all, such plaque poses a serious threat to your health. The list of proven recipes is endless.

You can prepare a special abrasive consisting of flour, coarse salt and vinegar. To do this, all the ingredients are combined with each other and it is with the resulting mixture that the device is cleaned. Finally, polish the product with a soft cloth to bring out the shine.

To give the samovar a decent appearance, regularly wipe it with a slice of lemon, and remove unsightly deposits with a brush. Regular chalk is perfect for these purposes. But if you are afraid of scratching the delicate surface, then it is better to use concentrated acetic acid, which will give the product unsurpassed smoothness;

Cleaning brass fixtures.

To ensure that your favorite device retains its attractive appearance and immaculate cleanliness for a long time, do not store it in a room where humidity is high.

Note! Household chemicals are what can actually ruin your samovar. After all, brass is nothing more than an alloy of copper and zinc, which is susceptible to the aggressive effects of cleaning agents

“Pot-bellied Uncle” can be easily cleaned with ordinary household products that can be found in every home. To clean brass fixtures, it is ideal to use ammonia or oxalic acid. These two products effectively remove dirt from the surface without leaving scratches.

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After 5 minutes, carefully rinse the solution off using water and baking soda to neutralize any remaining acid.

To clean the outside of the brass “beauty,” GOI paste will do. It will gently clean the product, giving it a delightful shine.

Tactics for cleaning a stainless steel samovar.

Over time, the surface of the samovar becomes dull, fades, becomes stained, and it seems that such a beauty has not been cleaned for a long time.

Stainless steel is a low-maintenance material, so you can use ordinary household chemicals for cleaning. The outside of a stainless steel samovar can be cleaned with gels, powders and other means. Just don’t even think about cleaning the inside of the samovar with household chemicals!

Of the available means, ordinary table vinegar is more acceptable. After cleaning, rinse the product thoroughly and polish it with a soft cloth. Gentle GOI paste will help remove dirt from a brass device.

Features of the material

What is brass? This is such a special alloy of two metals - copper and zinc. At the same time, there are no exact standards for which metal should be more in the alloy. Brass samovars, which contained more copper, had a reddish tint. But if there was more zinc in the alloy, the samovar shone yellow.

Brass was preferred to be used in the manufacture of samovars due to the properties of this material. It is quite durable and hard, but at the same time easy to process. Brass is also resistant to heat, which is very useful for samovars.

Brass products practically do not rust, but in a free state they oxidize over time. Therefore, brass needs plating. For this purpose, nickel is most often used on the outside and tin on the inside.

What does a brass samovar look like?

A brass samovar coated with nickel is difficult to distinguish from an iron one in appearance. But if you apply a magnet to it, it will immediately become clear where the brass is, since it has no magnetic properties. Also, if you make a small scratch, it will appear gray on iron material and yellow on brass.

General recommendations

You can avoid the appearance of burning in rooms with a fireplace or stove, provided that you follow the rules for using heating facilities

It is important to clean chimneys on time. To do this, burn off the soot with aspen firewood, potato peelings or salt.

You can also purchase special products for cleaning pipes from soot.

Ammonia is used to remove soot from surfaces. It is added to water during wet cleaning. Ammonia, together with baking soda, added to water will help get rid of the acrid smell of smoke and burning. At the end of washing the apartment, you should use a sealant. It is applied to the walls, then primed. They do not forget that they begin freeing the house from soot and soot with dry cleaning, only then doing wet cleaning.

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Descaling using traditional methods

To get rid of scale, you can use special products containing organic acids. They effectively remove stubborn limescale deposits without scratching the inside surface of the cookware. If you don’t have a special powder on hand, you can use improvised means, such as vinegar. It is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:5, the resulting mixture is filled with a vessel for some time (until the scale is completely dissolved).

Baking soda is an excellent remedy for removing hard deposits. For 1 liter of water you need to take 3 tablespoons of loose powder, boil the resulting mixture in a samovar for about 20 minutes, then pour everything out and repeat the procedure, but by adding vinegar essence (1/2 cup of the product per 4 liters of liquid).

Potato peelings are faithful helpers in the fight against scale. The samovar needs to be filled one-third full with them and covered to the top with water. After boiling, the vessel should be left filled with cleaning fluids for several hours. After this, the samovar must be thoroughly rinsed with soda solution. Regular descaling of the product increases its thermal conductivity.

Folk recipes

How to descale a samovar using natural products? Everything is very simple. Fans of folk remedies recommend cleaning keratinized walls with lemon, potato peels or apple peelings.

It should be noted that this method is less effective than the previous ones, and the result will be positive if the plaque is not old.

The use of filtered water and timely cleaning will ensure a long service life, and the samovar will last for decades.