amedhya-liptam yad yena

 gandha-lepam vyapohati

bhajate prakrtim tasya

 tac chaucam tavad isyate

 

Translation: 

 

A particular purifying agent is considered appropriate when its application removes the bad odor or dirty covering of some contaminated object and makes it resume its original nature.

 

Purport: 

 

Furniture, kitchen utensils, clothing and other objects are purified by application of abrasion, alkali, acid, water and so on. One thereby removes the bad fragrance or impure coating of such objects, restoring them to their original clean appearance.