Furniture and Furnishings

Furniture and Furnishings 3(1+2)

Lesson 08: Care And Maitenance Of Different Types Of Furniture

The Care And Cleaning Of Metal Surfaces

Brass and copper: Copper is a pure metal and is often used to make vessels (especially those used for religious poojas) and decorative accessories. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. These make sturdy vessels which are reasonably priced. Copper and brass remain clean in a dry atmosphere. They form a poisonous tarnish in humid climates. The tarnish is known as ‘verdigris’ and is blue green in colour. It is a poisonous carbonate. General cleaning can be done by using soaps and cleansing powders with a mild abrasive action. A little lemon juice and salt, vinegar or tamarind pulp can be used along with fine steel wool to remove the tarnish. Sifted ash can be used for cleaning vessels at home. A very mild solution of hydrochloric acid can be used to clean a highly neglected ornamental brass or copper article. This solution is corrosive and should not be allowed to come in contact with the skin. A fine nail brush or an old tooth brush can be used to clean engraved brass. Decorative articles can be polished with commercially available brasso. Lacquered brass does not tarnish. It should be washed with soapy water, rinsed and polished with a soft flannel duster after it is dry.

Silver and plated silver: silver is an expensive metal used for cutlery, serving dishes, tea services and decorative items. A thin layer of silver is generally electroplated on to cheaper metals, like nickel. Silver and silver-plated items are marked for their grade and quality. The life of plated silver depends on the thickness of the silver coating. EPNS finish (electroplated nickel silver) is given to tea services, cutlery and serving dishes that are guaranteed for many years. Silver gets tarnished in foggy and humid weather and when it com es into contact with egg and wrappings that have been given sulphur treatment. This is due to the formation of a coating of black silver sulphide. Silver items can be protected by covering them individually with tissue paper or cotton wool. This way of storing also reduces the risk of scratching them. Silver should be washed with warm, soapy water immediately after use. Each piece should be dried, individually scrubbed lengthwise with a soft cloth and stored away. Decorative silver can be polished with ‘silvo’, a polish that comes in both liquid and paste forms. Home-made silver polishes can also be used effectively. Very mild abrasive can be used for highly stained and tarnished silver. Tea stains from a silver teapot can be removed by putting in two tablespoons of soda in the pot and filling it with boiling hot water. After cooling, the deposit can be rubbed off and the pot washed in the usual way. Oxidized silver can be washed with a little soapy water, rinsed, dried and polished with chamois leather.

Stainless steel is the hardest alloy that is used in the household. It is silvery grey in colour, very resistant to rust, oxidation, food stains and the corrosive action of acids. It is available in both matt and lustrous finishes. Steel vessels can take a lot of rough handling without much damage. Sheet steel is more durable and expensive as compared to pressed steel. Engraved and enameled inlaid steel is also available on the market. Stainless steel knives, kitchen and serving utensils are available in a wide verity. Copper bottomed stainless steel cooking pans get uniformly heated and the chances of food burning are much reduced. Stainless steel can take a very high polish. It is often used for mirrors and reflectors where glass is unsuitable or too brittle for use.

Aluminium vessels are greyish-white in colour, light and durable. As aluminium and its alloys are cheaper than steel and brass, they are well within the reach of a common man. ‘Hindalium’ and ‘Duralium’ are familiar brands of aluminium alloys used for vessels. Aluminium pans must be soaked immediately after use. Cold water can be used for soaking pans in which milk and carbohydrate foods are cooked. Oily and greasy pans should be washed with warm soapy water. A mild scouring agent like fine steel wool can be used to clean a dirty vessel. If the pan is scorched, water to which lemon gas been added, is to be stewed in it to help clean it. The use of salt, soda and other alkalies should be avoided as these darken and destroy aluminium. Aluminium alloys used for pressure cookers and some frying pans are of superior quality, not easily affected by alkalies. Acidic foods should be cooked in preference to alkaline foods in aluminium vessels. The outer sides of pans and the decorative surfaces can be burnished with powered whiting. Bailing of water should be avoided in aluminium utensils as it darken the surface.

Iron ‘tavas’ are must in all Indian homes. Other commonly used iron items at home are frying pans (karah is) and left ladles. Iron vessels should be cleaned soon after use. No moisture should left on the vessels as this will cause rusting. A little oil can be smeared on to seal off the surface. If the surface is stained badly, it can be scoured with either pumice stone, bathbrick, fine emery powder, bran, sawdust or sieved ash without fear of any damage.

Galvanised Iron vessels have a coating of zinc over the iron surface. Galvanized iron pails and tubs are easy to maintain and remains considerably rust free for a number of years. General cleaning consists of washing with soap or detergent using steel wool or fine bathbrick. Occasional smearing with oil will provide protection against rust formation.

Chromium is usually electroplated on to other metals. The handles of the refrigerator and oven, knobs, taps, electric kettles and toasters usually have a chrome finish. Day to day cleaning of chromium consists of dusting, washing and drying with soft duster. If and when the finish becomes dull a little rubbing with methyl-lated spirit and polishing with flannel or chamois leather restores the luster.