For a more neglected piece, store-bought brass cleaners will get your brass polished in a jiffy. If your brass isn’t too grimy, this might be all you need for a refresh. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away the soapy water and all the debris, dust, and dirt. All you need to start is a mild dish soap, like Dawn Platinum Powerwash Free & Clear, and a warm water rinse. For hard water scaling use a simple solution of vinegar and water.” For other pieces, always wash the brass before polishing. “The best way to clean a brass faucet is with a clean microfiber cloth and water,” says Abbas Imtiaz Poonawala, director of operations for Isenberg Faucets in Dallas. “Wiring, mechanical complexity, and lubricating requirements generally turn these types of projects into more than simple DIY chores,” he says. “Too often I see what would be a wonderfully patinated item significantly degraded by a bad decision to restore it to a like-new state.”įor functional elements, such as locks, hinges, hardware, or light fixtures, Sorenson suggests seeking the help of a professional. “Oftentimes it’s best to forgo the polishing process altogether,” he says, noting that polishing antiques could significantly reduce their value. How do you clean badly tarnished brass?īefore you roll up your sleeves to clean brass, consider this: Sometimes the beauty of an antique brass object is its tarnish, in which case Sorenson recommends leaving it alone. Whether you’ve inherited brass jewelry, picked up a vintage lamp, or just replaced your cabinet pulls, this cleaning guide is sure to make your brass badass. Here, they reveal their favorite brass cleaners, how to make a DIY brass polish, and other key insights on cleaning brass. Then rinse with cold water and dry with a microfibre cloth.AD turned to experts for the best tips on caring for brass: Teri Hartman, manager of Liz’s Antique Hardware in Los Angeles, and Carl Sorenson, founder of Nanz, a New York company that produces custom-made solid-brass hardware. How to clean brass with toothpasteĪpply a thin layer of toothpaste to the brass, leave it on for a few minutes, polish with a clean cloth. You might need to gently work into the tricky bits with an old toothbrush. This is a good way of cleaning doorknobs and knockers that you can’t easily soak. This will really cut through the tarnish but don’t leave it too long. Rub the cloth over the surface of the brass and then rinse it off. Squeeze half a lemon onto a clean cloth and sprinkle salt on top. Rub on to the brass and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse and buff dry. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in ½ cup white vinegar and add just enough flour to make a paste. This versatile cleaner is great for getting brass to shine. Wipe off the reside with a damp cloth and buff dry. Yes, you heard us right! Squirt a dollop of ketchup on a rag and rub over the surface, let it sit for a couple of seconds. Less is more!Ĭatherine Falls Commercial // Getty Images How to clean brass with ketchup If it’s non-lacquered and it’s not old brass, there are some sustainable to a shop-bought brass polish that you’ve probably got in the kitchen. Wipe the surface clean, wipe with a clean cloth and dry thoroughly. If it’s really grimy, use a mild mix of washing up liquid and warm water. Cleaning modern brass is easy, simply wipe with a soft damp cloth. Modern brass is usually lacquered with a clear finish to stop it discolouring and by comparison to old brass looks yellowish in colour. Don’t use household cleaner on it or you will damage the surface. The best way to clean lacquered brass is to simply wipe it with a soft, damp cloth. Some brass is lacquered to protect its surface and prevent tarnishing. If in doubt, check with someone who knows about antiques first. Do this too often and you could lose detail or even hallmarks. Polishing tends to use abrasives, so every time tarnish forms and is polished away, part of the original surface is lost. If you want to remove tarnish on antique brass items, take advice. To clean, simply remove dirt and dust with a microfiber cloth. You could inadvertently reduce the value by rubbing off its lovely old surface ‘patina’. If you are lucky enough to own antique brass, be especially careful about cleaning it. Feverstockphoto // Getty Images Caring for antique brass
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