To clean a 70-year-old brass kadhai (vessel) and restore its golden shine, you can use traditional, non-toxic kitchen ingredients that safely break down decades of oxidation.
: This is a classic Indian method for old brass. Soak a small ball of tamarind in warm water to make a thick pulp. Apply the pulp all over the kadhai and let it sit for 10–15 minutes . Scrub gently with a soft sponge; the natural tartaric acid will "melt" away the blackness.
: Cut a lemon in half and dip the fleshy side into coarse salt. Rub it directly onto the brass surface in circular motions, squeezing slightly to release the juice. The citric acid reacts with the tarnish while salt acts as a gentle abrasive.
For heavily tarnished antique brass, these methods are highly effective: