How and how can you clean an old samovar to shine?

Antiquity is gradually gaining momentum, so old Russian samovars are increasingly used instead of electric kettles to hold family feasts and gatherings. Indescribably lucky for those who inherited this household item from their grandmother - do not change it to a modern analogue, it is better to figure out how to clean a samovar from dark plaque and scale.

Elimination of these signs of antiquity is a mandatory step in caring for the product, even if there is no intention to use it for its intended purpose. Green mold, characteristic of antiques, will indicate not the age of the item, but the lack of quality care.

Specific and universal methods for cleaning the samovar from the outside

Before starting work, it is necessary to clarify what material the samovar is made of. Very often, owners come across old fixtures of copper and brassthat need a special approach. Only correctly selected products will help at home to clean the product to a shine and will not spoil its quality and appearance. Before starting small parts, it is recommended to disconnect and clean separately.

Brass samovar

Ways to restore a brass samovar:

• Ammonia. We put it on a flap of soft tissue and gently wipe the product from the outside, acting in a circular motion without strong pressure. After that, you don’t need to wash the item, just ventilate it well.
• Oxalic acid. In a bucket of water we raise a glass of oxalic acid. We apply the composition to the surface of the metal and wait five minutes. Nothing three, wash off the product with cold water. Rub the still wet surface with baking soda and wash off the composition with dirt. Dry with a soft cloth.

Methods of exposure to a copper samovar:

• Salt composition. We combine in equal proportions large table salt, vinegar and flour. Knead the resulting paste well and apply to the surface of the samovar. Use a soft cloth or a piece of newspaper to polish the metal to a shine.

Tip: A patina coating on copper gives the samovar a noble appearance, so it is not necessary to remove it. It is necessary to clean the product from a dense gray-green layer, which indicates the active course of oxidative processes that negatively affect the state of the material.

Copper samovar

• Lemon juice. We take a few slices of lemon and rub them with the surface of the device. First, just wipe the samovar with a soft cloth. Then we update a layer of lemon juice and wipe the problem areas with a brush. Wash off dirt and product residues with cool water.
• Acetic acid. Wet a soft tissue flap in a 5% vinegar solution and wipe the surface. Do not rub anything! Then we wash off the liquid with dirt with cool water and rub it with a dry cloth.
• Soda solution. Used to clean the nose of the samovar and other small parts. To do this, dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in half a liter of water, stir and soak the removed elements for half an hour. Then we wash them in clean water and rub them with a soft cloth.

To restore a samovar from a stainless steel, you need to completely wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in 9% vinegar solution. Even clean areas are subject to processing. After cleaning, the product must be polished with a cloth.

Stainless steel samovar

In addition, there is a very effective universal way to clean samovars at home. To carry out the manipulation in three tablespoons of cold water, dissolve a teaspoon of tooth powder and a tablespoon of 10% ammonia.In the resulting mass, we moisten the fabric flap, rub the surface, polish it with a dry cloth.

Effective internal scale removal techniques

After completing the external cleaning of the samovar, you must immediately proceed to the removal of scale on its inner walls. Otherwise, a drink made from such water will not please its taste.

To get the best result, you can use one of the following methods:

• We take potato peelings, wash them several times under the tap and put them in a samovar. Pour them with boiling water and leave it to cool completely. So repeat three times constantly changing the cleaning. Then empty the container, rinse it and rub it inside with soda powder. It is best to act with a soft brush, then you can remove all traces of scale. Once again, rinse the samovar, pour water into it and boil it. We drain the liquid, only after that the device is allowed to be used for its intended purpose.
• Sweet sparkling water copes with limescale no less effectively. It must 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 a hard sponge.

In addition, for processing the inner surfaces of the samovar use acetic or citric acid, soda. These options are no less effective, but can leave behind a specific smell that will disappear only after a few days.