Cleaning:

Here are some tips that may be useful for making nontoxic silver or brass cleaners. They come from the book, Magic Brands, by Joey Green.

Copper:

• Mix equal parts of flour and salt with one teaspoon white vinegar to make a paste. Spread a thick layer on the brass and let dry for 15-60 minutes. Wipe off paste and rinse clean.
• Make a paste with lemon juice and salt, scrub gently and rinse clean.
• Cut a lime or lemon in half, shake some salt on one half, and then rub over the copper. Wipe dry.
• Tarnish can be removed from copper with a soft cloth and any of these ingredients that have natural acidity: vinegar, Tabasco sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon or lime juice.

• Combine 1 cup of vinegar, 1/8 cup of grape juice and a few drops of pine or cedar essential oil. Moisten a cloth or rag with the mixture until clean. Rinse in warm water and dry completely.

Silver:

• Mix a thick paste of baking soda and water, apply to the silver with damp sponge, rub, rinse and buff dry.
• Mix 5 oz. of nonfat dry milk mix, 12 oz. of water, and one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let mixture stand overnight in the mixture, then rinse clean and dry.
• Use non-gel toothpaste to shine up silver with the smallest amount of water possible. Rinse thoroughly after applying a small film. Dry and polish.
• Make a paste of corn starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with a cheesecloth.
• Bring some water and a few teaspoons of baking soda to a slow simmer in a pot or pan. Add a piece of aluminum, and then dip your silver into the mix, so to speak. Take out it out of the water mixture, dry and polish it clean with a rag.
• Potato water! Don't throw out your water after you boil potatoes. Let it cool, then let your silver soak for about 30 minutes