The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Herbal Formulas for Green Cleaning by Karyn Siegel-Maier

Author:Karyn Siegel-Maier [Siegel-Maier, Karyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Cleaning & Caretaking, Healthy Living, Decoration & Ornament, Health & Fitness, House & Home, Allergies, Architecture, Sustainable Living
ISBN: 9781603420853
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Published: 2008-12-02T07:00:00+00:00

SPECIAL CASES

You need to be careful when cleaning antique brass items so that you don’t disturb the aged coloring of the piece, or what is referred to as its patina.

The best way to clean most pieces is to start with a bath in warm soapy water to remove filmy dirt and grease. Then polish with a soft cloth moistened in linseed oil. Brass andirons should be cleaned with extrafine steel wool, rubbing the metal in one direction only.

If you have a very old or delicate piece and are not sure how to approach cleaning it, you may want to consult with an expert, such as an antiques dealer, refinisher, or museum curator.

Bronze

Bronze is also an alloy of copper, but unlike brass, it is combined with almost any other metal but zinc. Like brass, however, solid bronze pieces are often lacquered to prevent tarnishing. Good quality bronze pieces, especially those displayed outdoors, develop a lovely patina as they age. Since this weathered effect is highly desirable in bronze, regular dusting and light polishing with a soft cloth are generally all you need to do. A soft brush can be used on items that have been neglected for a time. If you want a high polish on a bronze item, wipe it clean and then shine it with a cloth dipped in a liquid wax.

Bronze is also susceptible to bronze disease, characterized by isolated spots of corrosion and light green patches. This spotting is caused by exposure to chlorides, sulfides, or excessive moisture. Usually, this disease can be remedied by bathing the piece in boiled distilled water, changing the water several times during the process. It may be necessary to soak the item for several days. You can also use hot vinegar and salt, or even hot buttermilk. If these treatments don’t cure the problem, you’ll need to call an expert.

To clean dirt and grease from bronze, pull on protective gloves and rub the item vigorously with a cloth moistened with a solution of 1 cup vinegar, 1/8 cup grapefruit juice, and 6 drops pine or cedar essential oil. Rinse in warm water and dry completely with a soft, clean towel.

Cast Iron

My father is a native of Alabama, where cornbread is a staple and often made in a cast-iron skillet. My family had such a skillet, and one day, I decided to give the pan a good scrubbing with soap and water and left it to air-dry in the dish rack. When I returned to put the pan away I puzzled over how it became dirty looking again. In fact, it looked worse than before! My mistake, of course, was in letting the pan air-dry and form rust.

Cast iron will oxidize and rust if not kept completely dry at all times. It must also be seasoned with oil to form a protective barrier and prevent oxidation. When you acquire a new piece of cast iron, you need to clean it with a mild soap and fine steel wool and dry it by hand immediately.

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