ARAVIND EYE CARE SYSTEMAravind Eye Hospital

& Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology

ARAVIND EYE CARE SYSTEMAravind Eye Hospital

& Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSE KEEPINGDEPARTMENT OF HOUSE KEEPING

Cleaning of brass itemsCleaning of brass items

Equipment and suppliesEquipment and supplies:: ClothCloth Brasso- brass polishBrasso- brass polish CupCup ToothbrushToothbrush Cleaning liquidCleaning liquid ScrubberScrubber Polythene paperPolythene paper

CLEANING AND POLISHING BRASSCLEANING AND POLISHING BRASS

Where are brass articles used?Where are brass articles used? Brass articles are used to decorate the roomsBrass articles are used to decorate the rooms

It becomes dull and tarnished due to chemical It becomes dull and tarnished due to chemical changeschanges

Hence they need to be polished once a weekHence they need to be polished once a week

It should be cleaned with utmost care using brassoIt should be cleaned with utmost care using brasso

When cleaned, the article should shine like newWhen cleaned, the article should shine like new

The kuthuvizhakku (brass lamp) and its stand are used as decorative pieces in the reception and as puja lamps in the meditation room in some hospitals

Large and small brass articles are used as decorative pieces in the reception area of hospitals

Flowerpots are placed inside large brass vessels

Cont….

Brass articles in the hospitalBrass articles in the hospital

Brass flower vases, plates, “kumkum” Brass flower vases, plates, “kumkum” container, and small idols also adorn the container, and small idols also adorn the meditation roommeditation room

Brass flower vases are in rooms such as the Brass flower vases are in rooms such as the dining halldining hall

Some nameplates are also made of brassSome nameplates are also made of brass

1.1. The kuthuvizhakkuThe kuthuvizhakku Remove the oil in the kuthuvizhakkuRemove the oil in the kuthuvizhakku

Dismantle the lamp and place its parts in a lineDismantle the lamp and place its parts in a line

Scrub all parts of the lamp using the cleaning liquidScrub all parts of the lamp using the cleaning liquid

Use the tooth brush to scrub the corners and any engraved Use the tooth brush to scrub the corners and any engraved figures on the lampfigures on the lamp

Fold the cloth into 4 to 8 folds, wipe all parts of the lamp to Fold the cloth into 4 to 8 folds, wipe all parts of the lamp to remove the dirtremove the dirt

Cont…Cont…

Method of polishing brass articlesMethod of polishing brass articles

Wipe the lamp dry using a clean cloth

Take the required quantity of Brasso in a cup

Dipping a clean cloth into the Brasso liquid, wipe the lamp starting at the bottom and working your way to the top

Let the liquid soak into the lamp for 5-10 minutes

Cont….

Wipe the lamp by rubbing it vigorously. Repeat the wiping process three times, each time using a clean cloth

Assemble the polished and shining lamp

Holding the lamp at the top, very carefully remove any finger marks on the polished surface with a dry cloth

Holding it with a clean duster or paper so as to avoid finger marks, lift and put it back in its place

2. 2. Immovable and heavy brass articlesImmovable and heavy brass articles Brass items that are heavy and cannot be Brass items that are heavy and cannot be

moved should be polished in its place as the moved should be polished in its place as the procedure followed for Kuthuvizhakkuprocedure followed for Kuthuvizhakku

3. 3. Brass plates / Name plates / IdolsBrass plates / Name plates / Idols The brasso and dirt runs into the crevices and The brasso and dirt runs into the crevices and

grooves of brass articles, follow the same grooves of brass articles, follow the same procedure as above and remove the dirt and procedure as above and remove the dirt and excess brasso with a tooth brushexcess brasso with a tooth brush

4. 4. Brass flower vaseBrass flower vase After the brasso is applied to a vase, wipe After the brasso is applied to a vase, wipe

vertically from top to bottomvertically from top to bottom

When wiping it the second time, wipe When wiping it the second time, wipe horizontally, starting at the bottomhorizontally, starting at the bottom

The third wipe is for removing any remaining The third wipe is for removing any remaining fingerprintsfingerprints

5. 5. Brass vesselBrass vesselA few more steps are required to clean a brass vesselA few more steps are required to clean a brass vessel Wash the inside and outside of the vessel with the cleaning Wash the inside and outside of the vessel with the cleaning

liquidliquid

Wipe the vessel dry (on the outside) with a clean clothWipe the vessel dry (on the outside) with a clean cloth

Apply brasso on the outside and let is soak in for 5-10 Apply brasso on the outside and let is soak in for 5-10 minutesminutes

Polish it uniformlyPolish it uniformly

Remove any finger marks in the final polishRemove any finger marks in the final polishCont…Cont…

If a potted plant has to be placed inside the vessel, If a potted plant has to be placed inside the vessel, spread a polythene paper inside.spread a polythene paper inside.

Then place some bricks on the polythene paper, and Then place some bricks on the polythene paper, and place the pot carefully on the bricksplace the pot carefully on the bricks

If water is used in a vessel, scrub the inside If water is used in a vessel, scrub the inside everyday with the cleaning liquid and a nylon brusheveryday with the cleaning liquid and a nylon brush

Wipe the outside with a dry cloth to prevent moss Wipe the outside with a dry cloth to prevent moss formationformation

Avoid spilling water on the polished surfaceAvoid spilling water on the polished surface