Fashion for the olden days is slowly gaining momentum, so for family feasts and gatherings, instead of electric kettles, old Russian samovars are increasingly used. It was incredibly lucky for those who got this subject of everyday life from their grandmother by inheritance - do not change it to a modern analogue, it is better to figure out how to clean the samovar from a dark plaque and scum.
Elimination of these signs of antiquity is an indispensable stage in the care of the product, even if there is no intention of using it for its intended purpose. Green mold, characteristic of antiques, will not indicate the age of the object, but the lack of quality care.
Specific and versatile ways of cleaning the samovar from the outside
Before starting to work, it is necessary to clarify what material the samovar is made of. Very often owners come across old fixtures made of copper and brass, which need a special approach. Only properly selected products will help at home to clean the product to shine and not spoil its quality and appearance. Before commencing the processing, it is recommended to disconnect and clean the small parts separately.
Brass samovar
Ways to restore a brass samovar:
- Ammonium alcohol. Apply it to a piece of soft cloth and gently wipe the product from the outside, acting in a circular motion without strong pressure. After that, you do not need to wash the object, just blow it well.
- Oxalic acid. In a bucket of water we dilute a glass of oxalic acid. The composition is applied to the surface of the metal and wait five minutes. Do not do anything, wash the product with cold water. Another wet surface rubbed with baking soda and washed off the composition along with the mud. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. Techniques of influence on copper samovar:
- . Salt composition. We connect in equal proportions a large table salt, vinegar and flour. We knead well the resulting paste and apply it to the surface of the samovar. A soft cloth or a piece of newspaper polish metal to shine.
Tip: The patina on copper gives the samovar a noble appearance, so it is not necessary to remove it. Clean the product from a dense gray-green layer, which indicates the active flow of oxidative processes, negatively affecting the state of the material.
Copper samovar
- Lemon juice. Take a few slices of lemon and rub them on the surface of the device. First, the samovar is simply wiped with a soft cloth. Then update the layer of lemon juice and problem areas with a brush. We wash off dirt and product residues with cool water.
- Acetic acid. A soft fabric flap is wetted in 5% acetic solution and wipe the surface. There is nothing to rub! Then we wash off the liquid together with the mud with cool water and rub it with a dry cloth.
- Soda solution. Used to clean the tip of the samovar and other small parts. To do this, in half a liter of water, dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda, stir and soak the removed elements for half an hour. Then rinse them in clean water and rub with a soft cloth.
To restore the samovar from stainless steel, you need to completely wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in a 9% solution of vinegar. Even pure sections are subject to processing. After cleaning, the product must be polished with a cloth.
stainless steel samovar Besides this, there is a very effective universal way of cleaning samovars at home. To carry out manipulation in three tablespoons of cold water, dissolve a teaspoon of tooth powder and a tablespoon of 10% ammonia. In the received mass we wet a flap of a fabric, we rub a surface, we polish it with a dry napkin.
Effective methods for removing the internal scum
After completing the external cleaning of the samovar, you must immediately proceed to remove the scale on its internal walls. Otherwise, a drink made from such water will not please your taste.
For optimal results, you can use one of the following methods:
- We take the potato peelings, wash them several times under the tap and put them into the samovar. Fill them with boiling water and leave until it is completely cooled. So repeat three times constantly changing the cleaning. Then empty the container, rinse it and rub it inside with a powder of soda. It is best to act with a soft brush, then you will be able to remove all traces of scale. Once again we rinse the samovar, pour water into it and boil it. Drain the liquid, only after that the device is allowed to be used for its intended purpose.
- No less effective with lime touch copes with sweet carbonated water. It must be poured into a samovar, boiled for half an hour and drained. After this treatment, the scales can be removed easily with a brush or a hard sponge.
In addition, for processing the internal surfaces of the samovar, use acetic or citric acid, soda. These options are not less effective, but can leave behind a specific odor, which will disappear only after a few days.
