However, brass tends to get tarnished due to air and moisture exposure, so it needs to be cleaned at regular intervals.
Since these idols need to be maintained consistently over time, one needs to adapt to solutions that can be done at home to keep them clean. So what should you do, and how to clean brass idols at home?
Well, here is a list of simple cleaning methodologies. you can use to clean your brass pooja vessels and idols at home.
Ways to Clean God Idols at home
God idols and pooja vessels, made out of brass, can be conveniently cleaned at home using some simple mechanisms.
The intricate designs and detailed carvings that tend to catch dirt and smoke need to be removed to maintain the gloss and shine of the idols for a more extended time period.
Here are some tips and tricks on cleaning pooja vessels efficiently at home, all by yourself.
Also Read: Pooja Rooms design as per Vastu
1. Brass Polish
To restore the shine of your brass God idols and pooja utensils, you can procure especially-designed brass polish, readily available in the market, and use it to clean them at home.
The instructions on how to use the polish is available on the bottle itself. However, before applying the polish, washing your brass items with soapy water is advisable to remove all the dirt and residue that may have accumulated on them.
After cleaning, use a soft cloth to apply the polish and restore their brilliance and brightness.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth, a naturally occurring abrasive powder, helps clean brass idols at home in simple and easy-to-follow steps.
You can procure it online, but make sure that you order the food-grade variant of the same, as it is chemical-free.To start cleaning your brass idols, you need to make a paste by mixing water with the diatomaceous powder and spreading it all over the piece. After the application has been done, leave it for a few minutes and scrub it off using a sponge or cloth.
3. Salt and Vinegar
Another sure-shot brass cleaning recipe when you think about how to clean god idols at home comprises two fundamental ingredients found in every Indian household: salt and vinegar.
All you need to do is add some salt to a small portion of vinegar in a bowl and rub the mixture all over the surface of your brass idols and vessels.
Having done that, you need to wash them with warm water to get rid of all the grime from the solution Your brass idols will sparkle as new ones.
Also Check: Simple and Modern Pooja Room Design Ideas
4. Lemon And Baking Soda
A very simple homemade cleaning solution for cleaning your brass idols is a mixture of lemon and baking soda. Take a teaspoon of baking powder and half a lemon juice and make it into a paste.
Now, apply the paste all over your brass items and wash them with warm water to restore the shiny properties of your brass goods. Once done, pat dry the items with a soft cloth.
5. Toothpaste For Cleaning Brass Idols
One of the most economical ways of cleaning brass idols and pital murtis at home is using toothpaste.
Just apply the toothpaste on the brass items and use a toothbrush to gently scrub the paste on the surface area until you can see the filth getting removed.
After this, wash them with warm water and soak the water using a soft cloth or towel.
6. Ketchup/Tomato Paste for Cleaning Brass God Idols
Tomatoes come blessed with an acid that helps remove tarnish from brass objects.
Hence, no matter how surprising it may sound, using ketchup to clean brass objects is a tried and tested way of cleaning idols and other things made of brass.
You have to squeeze a little ketchup on the brass idols/vessels and spread it all over the object.
Now, leave it on for an hour. After an hour, use dish soap and warm water to wash off all the ketchup and dirt along with it, from the brass idols.
Precautions to Take When Cleaning Brass Idols and Vessels at Home, Using the above Methods
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In the above section, it has been clearly mentioned how to clean brass pooja items easily at home. However, while doing so, you need to be careful about certain things.
Here is a list of safety measures that you need to follow while carrying out the cleaning expedition for your brass idols and other pooja paraphernalia:
- When using vinegar to clean your brass objects, make sure not to breathe in vinegar fumes as they may irritate your lungs
- In case you are using lemon juice or vinegar, which is acidic, it is advisable to protect your hands by wearing latex gloves.
- For cleaning heavily tarnished brass idols, you may opt for commercial brass polish or cleaners. In that case, always follow the instructions written on them strictly. If it suggests using them in a well-ventilated area, protecting your hands from touching them directly, you need to adhere to the instructions strictly and do the needful before starting the cleaning job.
Post-Cleaning Routine
After you have cleaned all your brass idols and pooja vessels using one of the above mechanisms, you need to follow a post-cleaning regime to ensure the spark and shine remain for long, as seen below:
- Once done with the cleaning expedition, you need to thoroughly dry all the cleaned pieces. You need to ensure there is not an iota of moisture remaining on them, and for this you need to leave them in the sun to dry completely.
- Once again, wipe all the items with a dry cloth to dry and remove all the dust particles and loose fibres.
- To avoid tarnishing, apply a thin protective wax layer, especially on the brass god idols. Ensure the layering applied is even and thin. However, do not apply the wax on brass utensils and vessels, it should be restricted only to idols and decorative pieces.
Final Take
Now that you know how to clean pital murti at home, you must keep the required ingredients at home and stock them for easy access as and when required.
Many times, people mistake brass-plated idols to be brass idols, and in that case, the tarnish that you may be trying to remove may be rust.
You may only need warm water and soap to remove the rust and clean your objects. Hence, ensure what you are cleaning before collecting the required essentials for the job.