Nov 9: Used clay lamps from Diwali can be ground into powder and mixed with salt and detergent to make a low-cost utensil-cleaning mixture at home.
To prepare it, the used lamps should first be cleaned thoroughly and dried completely. They should then be broken into fine powder and sieved to remove larger pieces.
Half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of detergent powder should be mixed with the fine clay powder. The mixture can be used as a cleaning powder.
The powder may be applied to stained portions of copper utensils and rubbed gently. It may help remove stains from old copper vessels.
However, the mixture is not a proven substitute for commercial utensil cleaners. Fine clay particles may scratch surfaces, while salt and detergent may damage the shine or outer coating of some metals.
It should not be used directly on expensive, decorative or coated utensils. The mixture should first be tested on a less visible portion. Utensils should be washed thoroughly with clean water and dried after cleaning.
Special cleaners made for copper utensils are more suitable. Not every household remedy shared on social media may be safe or effective in all cases.
