Homemade Non-Toxic Metal Cleaners and Polishes
Live Green and Save Money With Cleaners Made From Common Home Items
Dec 14, 2008
Toxins in home cleaning products can cause many illnesses including asthma. “The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers,” according to Dr. George Grant, toxicologist and founder of the International Wellness Academy. Fortunately, this danger can be greatly reduced by starting in small ways at home.
These recipes come from Michigan State University Extension, Readers Digest Practical Problem Solver (1991), and grandmothers everywhere.
Metal Cleaners and Polishes
Aluminum: Wipe on a paste of cream of tartar and water and polish with a soft cloth. For the interior of aluminum pans, fill cookware with hot water and add 2 tablespoons cream of tartar to each quart of water. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Wash and dry as usual.
Bronze: Dissolve 1 teaspoon in 1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste. Apply paste and let sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Wash with clear, warm water and polish dry.
Brass: The recipe for bronze also works on brass. After cleaning, rub with a cloth moistened with olive oil, retarding tarnish.
- Or make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub with a soft cloth, rinse with water and dry.
- Or use a slice of lemon sprinkled with baking soda. Rub brass with lemon slice, rinse with water, and dry.
Chrome: Wipe with a soft cloth dipped in undiluted white or cider vinegar.
- Or apply baby oil with a soft cloth and polish to remove stains from chrome on faucets, appliances, vehicles, etc.
Copper: Soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot, let cool, then wipe clean. For heavily tarnished items, boil them in the mixture for several hours.
- Or for tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe clean.
- Or for copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.
Gold: Lightly scrub with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Wash in lukewarm, soapy water and dry with a cotton cloth. Polish with a chamois cloth.
Silver: Polishing silver while wearing rubber gloves promotes tarnish. Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves. To remove tarnish, coat the silver with toothpaste, then run it under warm water, working in the foam. Use a soft toothbrush for stubborn stains or intricate grooves
- Or apply a paste of baking soda and water. Rub in, rinse, and polish dry with a soft cloth.
- Or place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan. Place items inside and add water to cover, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse, dry, and buff with a soft cloth.
Stainless Steel: Clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil.
- Or moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar or club soda and wipe clean.Or clean stainless steel cookware by mixing 4 teaspoons baking soda in 1 quart water and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry with clean cloth.
Pewter: Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste. Apply paste to pewter and let sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with clean warm water, and polish dry.
Using these formulas and substitutions help minimize the use of toxic substances in the home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective. Before applying any of these recipes, test in small hidden areas. Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled and out of the reach of children.
For more non-toxic solutions for the home, please go to Glass Cleaners, Furniture Cleaners, and Bathroom Cleaners.
