So... you could go to the store (or put your kids go there) and buy some metal cleaner, or you can use some homemade cleaners. The first situation is very simple: there are a number of readily available commercial products that can remedy your situation, just choose some brand you like, pick an item on the shelf and go for it. However, there are an equal number of homemade metal cleaners that you can use with comparable results: they restore the luster to metal surfaces, but they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly as well.
There a four types of metal cleaners, considering the chemical reaction you get from them:
Acid-based metal cleaners dissolve tarnish and brighten metals such as brass, copper, aluminum and chrome. To make an acid-based cleaner you have to combine equal measures of lemon juice and cream of tartar. Spread the resulting paste over the discolored portions of the item, wait a few minutes then wipe the residue away with a damp cloth and buff dry. For cleaning copper or brass you can use tomato juice, catsup, hot vinegar: put it on the metal you want to clean and let it soak for about half and hour, then rinse and if you missed some spots you can repeat the process.
Alkaline (base) are the chemical opposite of acids. The alkaline metal cleaners put the shine back in stainless steel and chrome by covering the metal item with a thin layer of baking soda, then rubbing it lightly with a damp sponge. Allow the mixture to air dry, then rinse with warm water and rub dry with a clean towel.
Abrasive metal cleaners remove the discolorations by generating friction on the surfaces of metals, which wears the tarnish away. You can use chalk or saltto clean the metal surfaces. However, they can be more effective when you combine them with other cleaning agents (acid or alkaline): mix table salt with equal measures of white vinegar and flour, apply the paste with a damp sponge, working it gently into the surface of the metal. Wait one hour, then wipe the mixture away with a damp cloth.
Bleaching metal cleaners use combinations of chemicals to break up stains and remove the discolorations. For example, the mild, cleaning action of non-gel toothpaste gently removes dirt and grime from gold, silver and other valuable metals.
You can clean silver with a cloth moistened in ammonia, dab it in some whiting and polish the silver. Using the same method in a different manner, you can also take 2 cups of warm water and add aproximately 100 grams (about 4 ounces) of whiting and mix them together. Then add 1.5 tablespoons of ammonia to the mixture, use it to polish the silver item.
Ornamental copper that is coated with lacquer should be rinsed in warm soapy water and wiped dry. IF you want to remove the lacquer you can submerge the pot into boiling water and allow it to cool until the lacquer peels off easily.
