How To Clean Brass
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Brass tarnishes over time, developing a green, oxidized layer. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw it away. Using the right tools and techniques, you can safely remove the oxidation without damaging the metal. Correctly cleaning and polishing brass restores the metal and makes it gleam with a reflective flow. Learn how to keep your brass shiny in this guide, which covers all the necessary materials and instructions, plus brass maintenance tips.
Why Clean Brass?
Brass gets water spots, dull darkness, and splotchy layers of green oxidation over time. Metals such as copper can look beautiful as they develop a patina, but brass can look grimy if you don’t regularly clean and polish it.
Failing to regularly clean brass goods can even cause damage over time. Corroded brass becomes dezincified, losing enough zinc to become copper. Dezincification first turns the brass pink, and the metal will weaken and become breakable.
By correctly cleaning and maintaining brass, homeowners can halt dezincification, oxidation, stains, and even reverse damage. Once you clean the brass, you can maintain its mirror finish or antique it to give it a patina.
How To Identify Brass Items
Some varieties of brass look like copper, while others look more like bronze. Antique brass can also develop a patina. You may have home goods that are purely brass or others that are partially brass alloy. Knowing what type of metal you have is critical to choosing the right cleaning method.
You can tell if an item is brass if it is not magnetic. Another way to tell is by scratching the material’s surface. If it reveals a bright yellow scratch, it’s brass. Perform this test on the underside of brass fixtures or goods so as not to damage visible surfaces.
These common household items are likely to be brass hardware or brass pieces:
- Cabinetry hardware
- Hinges
- Knobs
- Light fixtures
- Metal accents on furniture
- Plumbing fittings and pipes
- Sink faucets and handles
Tools and Materials for Cleaning Brass
Below are recommended materials for properly cleaning brass and brass-plated items:
- Copper polish or olive oil
- Diluted dish soap
- Ketchup or tomato sauce
- Lemon and baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
- Store-bought cleaners
- Toothbrush
- Vinegar, salt, and flour paste
You can make your own cleaning solution or purchase specialty brass cleaners from a big box store.
Effective Ways to Clean Brass
Once you’ve assembled your preferred tools and materials, it’s time to clean your brass.
Cleaning Brass With Homemade Solutions
Make a small, fresh batch of do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning material each time you need it instead of storing your solution. Follow these steps according to the DIY cleaner you choose:
- Ketchup: Tomato products can remove tarnish from brass. Gently apply ketchup or tomato sauce to the material’s surface and let it sit for an hour. Rinse and dry the surface. You can also use olive oil to polish tarnished brass.
- Lemon juice and baking soda: Stir juice from half a lemon and a teaspoon of baking soda. Apply the resulting paste to the surface of your brass item with a clean cloth. Let the paste sit on stains for up to 30 minutes, and then gently rinse away the paste with warm water. Wipe the item dry.
- White vinegar, salt, and flour paste: This method can fix corrosion. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of flour. Mix it until it’s a paste. Spread the paste on the brass surface with a soft cloth, and only leave it in place for a few minutes to avoid dulling the metal. Rinse and dry the surface.
DIY cleaners are relatively gentle and safe to apply to brass with a microfiber cloth. You can use a toothbrush to apply the chemicals to intricate carvings and crevices, but be careful not to scrub too hard.
Cleaning Brass With Commercial Products
You can buy pastes, lading, gels, specialty brass cleaners, and liquid cleaners for different brass alloys if you don’t want to create your own mixture. You can even apply Bar Keepers Friend to brass surfaces. Be sure to thoroughly read each product’s instructions, and follow the specific application method listed on the container of the product you use. Start by applying the cleaner to the underside of the brass item to see if it discolors or abrades the surface.
Polish your brass objects after you clean them to give them a mirror finish. To do this, apply a copper or brass polish compound with a microfiber cloth, and use as instructed.
How To Maintain Brass Items
You should deep clean brass once every three months with cleaning products. You can keep it even shinier with ongoing maintenance. Follow the tips below to keep your brass shiny between cleaning sessions:
- Apply a light amount of liquid ammonia to lacquered brass once a week before promptly wiping it off. This will help prevent tarnish.
- Clean away stains or water spots with a damp cloth and diluted dish soap or soapy water.
- Dust your brass items with a soft cloth once a week.
- Forego frequent cleaning. It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to keep your brass home goods undamaged and pristine is to not overclean them.
- Keep intricate brass goods away from water. Removing corrosion and tarnish from crevices and complex shapes without scratching metal surfaces is difficult.
Our Conclusion
You should deep clean brass-plated and solid brass metal goods such as furnishing accents, hardware, and light fixtures every three months to remove tarnish and grime. You can use a variety of homemade brass cleaner recipes for different types of damage. Maintain your brass’s finish with weekly dusting, and do not roughly scrub or scratch the brass’s surface.
FAQ About How to Clean Brass
Can you clean brass with just vinegar?
You cannot clean brass with just vinegar. Pure vinegar is abrasive and can stain or discolor the surface. Always dilute vinegar with distilled water.
How do you make brass shiny again?
You can make brass shiny again with a homemade cleaner made from lemon juice and salt. Make a paste of four parts salt to one part lemon juice. Apply the paste to the brass surface with a soft cloth and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. Gently clean away the paste with water and a cloth. Apply copper polish for even more shine.
Does WD-40 remove tarnish from brass?
WD-40 does remove tarnish from brass. Spray or drip a small amount onto your microfiber cloth, and rub the metal lightly in a circular movement. Let the material sit for no longer than 30 minutes, and then rinse it away.
Can you remove oxidation from brass?
You can remove oxidation from brass by applying a vinegar and salt solution. Mix it into a light paste and rub it onto green patches on your brass. Only let the vinegar sit on the metal for a few minutes before rinsing it off, as vinegar can abrade and discolor brass.
What is the best homemade brass cleaner?
The best homemade brass cleaner is a paste made from four parts salt and one part lemon juice. This cleaner can remove tarnish and discoloration without weakening or staining the brass surface. Carefully apply the paste to the surface, and let it sit for up to 30 minutes.
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