Preserving the Beauty of Urli: Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Urlis are traditional cookware that is used widely by the states of South India like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, etc. These are made from clay, copper and bronze and are widely adopted by Ayurveda practitioners for making medicine. Depending on their size, the Urlis can be very large, like “Varpul”. In earlier times, they were used for storing and cooling water in households, especially during hot summers. The wide mouth of the Urli allowed for easy access and facilitated the cooling process. Urlis were often placed in courtyards or near entrances, where water would evaporate, creating a natural cooling effect in the surroundings. These were also used extensively for cooking elaborate meals and are often used to prepare traditional dishes like sambhar, rasam, payasam, and other gravies. The wide surface area of the Urlis allows for the slow simmering and blending of flavours, resulting in rich, aromatic dishes. The thick walls of the Urlis help distribute heat evenly, ensuring that food cooks uniformly and retains its nutritional value. This makes them ideal for slow cooking and simmering, allowing the flavours to develop fully.

Cooking in copper Urlis is known to have health benefits. When cooking in copper Urlis, a small amount of copper leaches into the food, which can help combat iron deficiencies. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with anaemia or requiring additional iron intake. Additionally, cooking in traditional vessels like Urlis promotes the use of natural ingredients and minimises the need for excessive oil or fat.

However, these can also be used for decorating hallways in homes or hotels. They are often adorned with intricate designs, patterns, and engravings, adding a touch of elegance to the kitchen or dining area. Many also use Urlis as centrepieces during festivals and special occasions, filling them with flowers or floating candles.

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How to Include Urlis in Home Decor?

Urli is a fantastic way to upgrade your home and improve its décor on a budget. Investing in an Urli is an easy way to buy a versatile product in your home. Whether you wish to decorate your living room or your entrance, Urlis can help you redefine your home.

Brass Urlis are considered as good luck charms and a sign of prosperity. This can be an excellent gift for any occasion and reason. The presence of a urli is believed to bring wealth, happiness, and positive energy to the environment. In Hindu culture, water is considered sacred and is associated with purity, life, and spiritual cleansing. By placing an urli filled with water, it is believed that the space becomes purified, and any negative energy is dispelled. The arrangement of flowers and candles also adds an aesthetic appeal and enhances the overall spiritual experience.

How to Use Urli for the First Time?

It is best to apply oil inside and outside the Urli and repeat the process for a few days. Alternatively, you can fill the same with starch water for up to 12 hours and then drain the same. It is best to repeat the process for the next few days.

What to Use Your Urli for?

It is recommended to decorate the same using water and flowers. Putting water inside the Urli is believed to bring wealth and profits. The flowing waters represent the flow of wealth inside the house. Similarly, an Urli filled with water and covered by flowers can boost luck and auspiciousness. Similarly, you can add some drops of fragrance or choose artificial flowers for a lasting impact. You can also place floating candles on the surface of the water.

How to Remove Dirt and Debris From the Urlis?

Here are some of the ways to ensure pre-cleaning of your well-designed and intricately crafted urli-

• Choose a soft, medium-bristled old toothbrush and clean the intricate design. You can choose wipes, rags, towels, etc., for the above purpose. Similarly, you can select a muslin cloth and a soft sponge for buffing the surface.
• Remove the screws, chains, decorative, etc. (if possible).
• Identify the filthy areas and clean them using lemon.
• In case of grease or oil marks, use a clean piece of paper towel or absorbent cloth.

How to Use Homemade Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining the urli?

Cleaning bronze and brass Urlis can be done effectively using natural cleaning agents available at home like the following -

Tamarind Paste Technique

1. Tamarind is a significant ingredient for the cleaning of brass and bronze Urlis.
2. A paste of the tamarind is created after soaking in warm water.
3. This is then muddled well to form a paste, and the fibres are used to clean the same.
4. The method is eco-friendly and affordable. It doesn’t impact the overall beauty of the metal surface.

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Lemon and Salt Combination Technique

1. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle salt on one of the cut sides.
2. Rub the lemon onto the surface of the bronze, brass, or copper utensils, applying gentle pressure.
3. Combining lemon's acidity and salt's abrasive properties will help remove tarnishes and stains.
4. Rinse the utensils with water and dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Vinegar and Flour Combination Technique

1. Create a paste by mixing equal parts of vinegar and flour in a bowl.
2. Apply the paste to the utensils, covering all tarnished areas.
3. Let the paste sit on the surface for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Scrub the utensils using a soft-bristle brush or sponge to remove the tarnish.
5. Rinse the utensils with water and dry them thoroughly.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Combination Technique

1. Mix baking soda with lemon juice in a small bowl to paste.
2. Apply the paste to the utensils, ensuring it covers the tarnished areas.
3. Allow the paste to sit on the surface for approximately 15 minutes.
4. Gently scrub the utensils using a soft cloth or sponge.
5. Rinse the utensils with water and dry them thoroughly.

Tomato Ketchup Technique

1. Apply a generous amount of tomato ketchup to the utensils, covering the tarnished areas completely.
2. Allow the ketchup to sit on the surface for around 30 minutes.
3. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the utensils, focusing on the tarnished spots.
4. Rinse the utensils with water and dry them thoroughly.
5. Remember to exercise caution when using natural cleaning agents, as they may not be suitable for all bronze, brass, or copper utensils. Testing a small utensil area before cleaning the entire utensil is always a good idea. Further, avoid using harsh abrasives or cleaning pads that could damage the utensils' surfaces.

Other Techniques to Maintain Urlis

1. You can choose to clean Urlis using boiling water, tamarind and vinegar. You need to boil the water and then add some vinegar to it. Submerge the urli in the water to remove the grease.
2. You can also choose mild dish soaps to remove grease and grime from an intricately crafted vessel. Once done, rinse with a soft and dry cloth.
3. You can similarly choose diatomaceous earth, which is a natural abrasive powder. The same is an effective cleaning agent that lacks chemical additives. For the best results, you must create a paste of diatomaceous earth and eater and then scrub the same with a soft cloth. This method requires attention and effort and can leave scratches if not done correctly.

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How to Keep Your Brass and Bronze Urlis Shining for Long?

To care for cleaned brass and bronze Urlis and keep them looking their best, you can follow these guidelines:

• Regularly dust the brass items using a soft, lint-free cloth to remove any surface dirt or dust. This helps prevent the accumulation of grime.
• Intricately carved can be sensitive to certain chemicals and abrasive cleaners, so avoid using harsh substances such as bleach, ammonia, or abrasive scrubbing pads. They can damage the surface and cause discolouration.
• Prepare a gentle cleaning solution if the brass Urli requires more than dusting. Mix equal parts of mild dish soap and warm water in a bowl or bucket. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the solution, wring it out to remove excess moisture, and gently clean the brass surface.
• After cleaning, rinse the metal Urli with clean water to remove any soapy residue. Dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent water spots or stains. If you want to restore the shine to your brass urli, you can use a brass polish specifically designed for this purpose. Apply a small amount of brass polish to a soft cloth and gently rub it onto the brass surface, following the product's instructions. Afterwards, use a clean cloth to buff the brass to shine.
• When displaying or storing brass or bronze Urlis, keep them away from excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and extreme temperature changes. These factors can accelerate tarnishing and damage the brass.
• Always wipe the Urlis using a dry cloth and then leave them in the sun to remove residual moisture. Once inside, wipe these again and remove loose fibres and dust.
• Choose wax to protect the surface of the urli or follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prolong the life of these.