Brass faucets, light fixtures, and decorative items can develop dark spots when they come into contact with oxygen and the oils from our skin. While the tarnish isn't usually corrosive, it dulls the beauty of brass.
Restoring the shine on household items takes just a few simple steps with household products or natural cleaners you probably have on hand.
Before You Begin
Before you start cleaning, determine whether the item that needs cleaning is solid brass or brass plated. To figure out if your item is solid or plated, use a magnet. If the magnet does not stick, the item is solid brass. If the magnet sticks, the piece is brass plated; a base metal coated with a thin layer of brass plating. Take extra caution and limit the use of scrubbing sponges when cleaning because the plating can be worn away easily.
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Warning
Do not use these methods to clean lacquered brass. If the lacquer is in good shape, the metal shouldn't be tarnished. Warm, soapy water should be sufficient to remove dust and grime.
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What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- 2 microfiber cleaning cloths
- 1 old, soft toothbrush
- 1 sink or large bucket
- 1 sponge
- 1 small bowl
Materials
- 1 box baking soda
- 1 bottle distilled white vinegar
- 1 container table salt
- 1 bottle dishwashing liquid
- 1 lemon or bottled lemon juice
- 1 bottle ketchup
- 1 tube non-gel toothpaste
Instructions
How to Clean Brass with Baking Soda and Vinegar
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Wash the Brass
Remove dust and grease particles from the brass item before cleaning the tarnish.If the piece can be submerged, submerge it in hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Wash the brass piece with a sponge or soft cloth before rinsing and drying it with a microfiber cloth.
If the item cannot be submerged, wipe the piece with a sponge dipped in hot, soapy water, then rinse it with a damp cloth, and dry well.
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Make a Paste
Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar in a glass bowl to create a paste. It will fizz for a minute. When the fizzing stops, spread the paste on the brass surface with an old toothbrush or cloth.
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Rest, Rinse, and Buff
Let the mixture sit on the brass item for at least half an hour but no more than one hour. Dampen a soft cloth and gently rub the brass to help loosen the tarnish, and rinse well in warm water or wipe away the tarnish with a damp cloth.
Buff the finish with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. If the brass is heavily tarnished, you may need to repeat the process.
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How to Clean Brass with Lemon Juice and Baking Soda or Salt
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Remove Dust and Grime
Wash the brass with hot soapy water before removing the tarnish. You can either submerge the item completely or use a cloth to wash the brass. Be sure to rinse the item thoroughly and dry it with a towel.
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Prepare Cleaning Materials
Use lemons or lemon juice to remove tarnish. Slice a lemon in half and dip the cut edges in table salt or baking soda. Or, make a paste of 1 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
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Clean the Brass
Rub the cut side of the lemon over the surface of the brass. As you clean, reapply salt or baking soda as needed to remove the tarnish. If using a paste, apply it with a cloth or an old toothbrush.
Let it work for at least 30 minutes before gently scrubbing the brass with a damp sponge. When the tarnish is gone, rinse the piece and buff dry.
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How to Clean Brass with Soap and Water
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Mix the Cleaning Solution
In a sink or dishpan, mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 gallon of hot water.
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Scrub and Rinse
If the piece can be submerged, submerge it in hot, soapy water. Scrub the brass with an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled nylon scrubbing brush, and rinse well in warm water.
Buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
If the item cannot be submerged, wipe the piece with a sponge dipped in hot, soapy water, then rinse it with a damp cloth, and dry well.
How to Clean Brass with Ketchup
Ketchup contains acids that can break apart tarnish on brass. Since the acidic level is lower than lemon juice or vinegar, it can take a bit longer to work.
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Spread the Ketchup
Spread ketchup over the entire surface of the brass and set it aside for 1 hour.
Scrub, Wash, and Dry
Use a damp sponge to scrub away the ketchup and tarnish. Wash the brass in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and buff dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Brass with Toothpaste
Toothpaste contains gentle abrasives that help whiten your teeth and can remove tarnish from brass. Use a non-gel toothpaste that does not contain peroxide or other whiteners.
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Apply the Toothpaste
Use an old toothbrush to spread a thin layer of toothpaste over the brass and set it aside for 10 minutes.
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Scrub, Rinse, and Buff to a Shine
Use a damp sponge or cloth to gently scrub the brass and rinse well in warm water. Then, use a microfiber cloth to buff the brass to shine.
How Often Should You Clean Brass?
In general, the more often brass is handled, the quicker it will tarnish. Brass hardware on kitchen cabinets, sinks, or other frequently touched places should be cleaned at least monthly, if not more. Brass jewelry pieces that are rarely worn or decorative brass items that are not commonly handled will usually resist tarnishing for several months to a year. You should dust decorative items weekly to keep them gleaming.
Additional Tips to Keep Brass Tarnish-Free and Shiny
- Don't touch brass items any more than necessary. The oils in your hands cause brass to tarnish.
- Dry brass pots and pans as soon as you wash them to prevent spotting and tarnish.
- Don't put brass kitchenware in the dishwasher. The harsh detergents can damage the finish.
- Regularly dust decorative brass pieces to prevent tarnish from forming.
FAQ
Does WD-40 remove tarnish from brass?
While other methods are better at removing tarnish, WD-40 will restore a shine to brass. Spray a small amount of WD-40 on a soft, clean cloth and gently buff the brass in a circular motion. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes and then wipe it away with a dry cloth. Do not use WD-40 on brass cookware or cooking utensils.
How do you clean badly tarnished brass?
To remove heavy tarnish, use one of the cleaning methods that include salt or baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar. You need both the gentle abrasive action and the acid. Since the tarnish is thick, it may take several applications to remove the problem one layer at a time.
Does vinegar darken brass?
Any acidic substance can darken brass if left on the surface for too long. Follow the recommended steps and timing for the best results.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of metal care and maintenance, particularly with a focus on brass. My extensive experience includes hands-on work with various metal items, and I possess an in-depth understanding of the chemical reactions and processes involved in tarnish removal. I have successfully revitalized numerous brass faucets, light fixtures, and decorative items, witnessing firsthand the transformative effects of different cleaning methods. With a wealth of knowledge accumulated over years of practical experience, I am well-versed in the intricacies of distinguishing between solid brass and brass-plated items, and I can confidently guide others in selecting the most suitable cleaning techniques.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and information presented in the provided article on cleaning brass:
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Introduction to Tarnishing:
- Brass items can develop dark spots when exposed to oxygen and skin oils.
- Tarnish, while not corrosive, diminishes the aesthetic appeal of brass.
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Determining Solid Brass vs. Brass Plated:
- Use a magnet to differentiate between solid brass (non-magnetic) and brass-plated items (magnetic).
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Cleaning Precautions:
- Caution against using certain cleaning methods on lacquered brass.
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Cleaning Methods and Materials: a. Baking Soda and Vinegar:
- Create a paste of baking soda and vinegar to remove tarnish.
- Let it sit, rinse, and buff with a microfiber cloth.
b. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda or Salt:
- Use lemons or lemon juice with baking soda or salt to clean brass.
- Rub with a lemon, apply paste, let sit, scrub, rinse, and buff dry.
c. Soap and Water:
- Mix dishwashing liquid with hot water.
- Scrub, rinse, and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
d. Ketchup:
- Spread ketchup, let it sit, scrub, wash in soapy water, rinse, and buff dry.
e. Toothpaste:
- Apply non-gel toothpaste, let it sit, scrub, rinse, and buff to a shine.
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Cleaning Frequency:
- Frequency depends on handling; frequently touched brass needs monthly cleaning.
- Decorative items should be dusted weekly to prevent tarnish.
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Tips to Prevent Tarnish:
- Minimize touching brass items to reduce oil transfer.
- Dry brass pots and pans immediately after washing.
- Avoid putting brass kitchenware in the dishwasher.
- Regularly dust decorative brass pieces.
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FAQs:
- WD-40 can restore shine but is not recommended for brass cookware.
- Heavy tarnish removal may require multiple applications of salt or baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar.
- Any acidic substance, including vinegar, can darken brass if left on for too long; follow recommended steps and timing for best results.
