Cleaning Chrome: Chrome is a hard metal with a whitish-blue appearance. It's durability and shine make it suitable for plating other metals to extend the life of the object. Chrome, or chromium, is frequently found on appliances such as toasters, ovens, refrigerators, faucets, vehicles - even golf clubs. If kept free of grease and sticky grime, chrome can last a very long time. Here are some tips for keeping chrome in tip-top shape: 1. Never use an abrasive cleaner on chrome that may scratch or pit the surface.
2. To safely clean chrome, apply club soda or vinegar with a soft cloth. Dry to a shine with a dry cloth.
3. To remove burned-on grease from chrome, clean with 3 to 6 drops of undiluted eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil (wear protective gloves). Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
4. For rust stains, first clean with a rag and a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil. Then rub the stains with a small piece of crumpled aluminum foil, shiny side out. Wipe well with a soft cloth moistened with 3 to 6 drops of essential oil and 1 tablespoon of jojoba or almond oil (mix the essential oils into the jojoba or almond oil first).
Cleaning Copper: Decorative copper items are usually coated with lacquer to preserve the finish; they should never be polished. Only regular dusting and periodic washing are necessary. Copper cookware and utensils, on the other hand, may need special handling to remove any factory-applied lacquer.
Follow the manufacturer's directions; if there aren't any instructions included, the copper pieces should be placed in 2 gallons of boiling water and 1 1/2 cups washing soda. Let them soak until you are able to peel away the lacquer.
Stainless steel pots and pans often have copper bottoms for better distribution of heat, but high temperatures can damage them. Never scour copper bottoms with steel wool or an abrasive cleanser. If tarnishing occurs, use equal amounts of salt, flour, and vinegar to make a polishing paste.
To clean and remove tarnish from copper pots and utensils, try one of these tricks:
1. Cut a lime or lemon in half, sprinkle with salt, and rub over the copper. If you don't have any fresh lemons or limes on hand, you can use lemon juice or 1 teaspoon of any citrus essential oil mixed with 2 tablespoons water instead. Apply this solution to a damp sponge that has been sprinkled with salt. Nothing can be easier than this!
2. Make a paste of 1 cup vinegar, 5 drops citrus essential oil, 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, and 1/2 cup salt. Spread the paste on your copper pieces and let stand for a few hours or overnight. Then rinse, dry, and polish with a bit of oil to prevent further tarnishing.
3. Mix 1/2 cup ketchup with 2 tablespoons cream of tartar. Spread on the copper and let stand for an hour. Rinse in soapy water and then in clean water. Dry thoroughly.
