11 Diwali Cleaning Hacks That Don't Require a Week Off

2. Quick Brass & Copper Diya Polish

Materials needed: coarse salt, lemon halves, soft cloth, warm water, small bowl. Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut face into coarse salt. Rub the salted lemon over brass or copper diyas in circular motions, applying light pressure where tarnish is visible. Let the lemon-salt mix sit for a minute or two on heavy spots, then rinse with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth. Time estimate: 10–15 minutes for several small diyas; allow more time for larger pieces. Pro tip: for intricate designs, use a cotton bud dipped in the lemon-salt mixture to reach crevices. This old household approach works quickly and smells fresh; it’s a common, budget-friendly method recommended by home-cleaning guides to restore a bright finish before puja (India Today).