Maintaining the Atrium
Checklists of Tasks for Assistants
Polishing Exercises
Here are some tips that may be useful for making nontoxic silver or brass cleaners. They come from the book, Magic Brands, by Joey Green.
Copper:
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Mix equal parts of flour and salt with one teaspoon white vinegar to make a paste. Spread a thick layer on the brass and let dry for 15-60 minutes. Wipe off paste and rinse clean.
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Make a paste with lemon juice and salt, scrub gently and rinse clean.
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Cut a lime or lemon in half, shake some salt on one half, and then rub over the copper. Wipe dry.
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Tarnish can be removed from copper with a soft cloth and any of these ingredients that have natural acidity: vinegar, Tabasco sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon or lime juice.
Bronze:
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Combine 1 cup of vinegar, 1/8 cup of grape juice and a few drops of pine or cedar essential oil. Moisten a cloth or rag with the mixture until clean. Rinse in warm water and dry completely.
Silver:
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Mix a thick paste of baking soda and water, apply to the silver with damp sponge, rub, rinse and buff dry.
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Mix 5 oz. of nonfat dry milk mix, 12 oz. of water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let mixture stand overnight in the mixture, then rinse clean and dry.
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Use non-gel toothpaste to shine up silver with the smallest amount of water possible. Rinse thoroughly after applying a small film. Dry and polish.
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Make a paste of corn starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with a cheesecloth.
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Bring some water and a few teaspoons of baking soda to a slow simmer in a pot or pan. Add a piece of aluminum, and then dip your silver into the mix, so to speak. Take out it out of the water mixture, dry and polish it clean with a rag.
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Potato water! Don’t throw out your water after you boil potatoes. Let it cool, then let your silver soak for about 30 minutes