How to clean and store brass puja items

Brass darkens. That is normal. A lamp that looks “too yellow” after a week in a humid kitchen has not failed — it has oxidised. This is the care advice we give wholesale buyers and families so the piece lasts.

This is household guidance, not a laboratory spec. If a product page has a specific care line, follow that page.

Daily use

• Wipe oil and soot with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth after the flame is out and the metal is cool.
• Do not pour leftover oil into a sink. Strain it and reuse or discard with kitchen waste.
• Keep the wick lip clear so the next lighting does not smoke.

Occasional clean

For a dull but not green piece:

1. Wash with mild dish soap and lukewarm water.
2. Rinse and dry completely — trapped water spots brass.
3. If you want shine, use a commercial brass polish or a paste of lemon and baking soda, then wash the acid off and dry.
4. Do not use steel wool on engraved faces, meena (enamel) work, or miniature statues.

Avoid bleach, toilet cleaner and dishwasher cycles. They strip lacquer (if any) and pit the metal.

Storage

• Store dry. A sealed plastic box with a silica packet is better than an open shelf in a monsoon bathroom.
• Keep miniature idols in individual pouches so they do not scratch each other in a reseller carton.
• Do not wrap brass in damp newspaper.

What we do before we ship

Orders leave the Madurai showroom dry, checked against the SKU, and packed so faces and stems do not rub. If a piece arrives wet, dented or with a broken stem, photograph it within 48 hours and WhatsApp +91 86670 48882.

Wholesale note for resellers

If you unpack 100 diyas for a function and then store leftovers for six months, expect tarnish. That is not a manufacturing defect. Budget a 10-minute wipe before the next event, or keep the leftover carton sealed.

FAQ

Will every piece look identical?
No. Hand-finished brass varies in colour and engraving depth. That is stated in our product FAQs.

Can I oil the brass to keep shine?
A drop of mineral oil on a cloth can slow tarnish on a polished piece. Do not oil the inside of an oil reservoir in a way that mixes with ghee if you do not want the smell.

Do you restore old family lamps?
Ask on WhatsApp with photos. Restoration is not a default catalogue service.

WhatsApp a wholesale order: send the SKU (or product link), quantity and pincode to +91 86670 48882.