Brass, a timeless and warm-toned metal, serves as a striking alternative to chrome and stainless steel in home decor. Comprising copper and zinc, this alloy has adorned doors, buttons, musical instruments, and decorative items for centuries. Despite its enduring presence in home interiors, the passage of time can diminish its luster.
Uncoated brass, when exposed to oxygen or skin oils, undergoes tarnishing. While tarnish isn’t typically corrosive, it darkens and dulls the surface, imparting an outdated or soiled appearance to the brass. While some may appreciate the vintage charm of unpolished brass, understanding how to clean it ensures a refreshed look. The good news is that you likely already possess the necessary household items to restore brass to its former glory.
Considerations Before Commencing Cleaning
Before diving into cleaning, it’s crucial to identify the type of brass you’re dealing with. Is it solid brass or brass-plated? Does it have a protective finish, such as lacquer or polyurethane sealer?
Solid brass endures cleaning and polishing over the years without excessive wear. To discern solid brass from others, conduct a magnet test; a magnet won’t adhere to solid brass.
Brass-plated items, with a thin brass layer over a less costly metal, can also be identified through a magnet test. If the magnet sticks, it’s brass-plated. Exercise caution and a gentle touch when cleaning brass-plated pieces.
Lacquered or sealed brass requires only dusting or wiping with a damp cloth to avoid damage to the coating. Damaged coatings allow oxygen to reach the metal, leading to tarnishing.
Cleaning Frequency
Brass that sees frequent handling tarnishes more rapidly. To maintain the shine of brass hardware on doors, cabinets, and sink fixtures, regular monthly cleaning and polishing are advised. Decorative objects should be cleaned at least yearly or as tarnish becomes apparent. Lacquered brass items necessitate only dusting and gentle wiping with a damp cloth as needed.
Essential Tools for Cleaning Brass
For cleaning with a lemon and salt:
– Liquid dish soap
– Lemon
– Table salt
– Sponge
– Microfiber cloth
For cleaning with baking soda and vinegar:
– Liquid dish soap
– Baking soda
– Distilled white vinegar
– Microfiber cloths
– Toothbrush
Cleaning with Lemon and Salt
If you’ve ever polished copper with a lemon and salt, the same technique can be applied to brass, given that brass is an alloy containing copper. The citric acid in a lemon breaks the tarnish bond, while salt acts as a mild abrasive.
1. **Wash Away Surface Dust and Grime:**
Submerge the brass item in warm, soapy water to eliminate dust and grease. For non-submersible pieces, use a cloth in soapy water to wipe away loose dirt.
2. **Make a Lemon Scrubber:**
Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut edges in table salt. Rub the salt-coated lemon over the brass surface, reapplying salt as needed.
3. **Prepare a Lemon Juice Paste:**
Create a paste with one cup of salt and one-fourth cup of lemon juice. Apply the paste to the brass, letting it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing with a damp sponge.
4. **Rinse and Buff:**
After tarnish removal, thoroughly rinse the brass and buff it dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
1. **Remove Surface Soil:**
Submerge the brass item in warm, soapy water to eliminate dust and grease. For non-submersible pieces, use a cloth in soapy water to wipe away loose dirt.
2. **Prepare a Baking Soda and Vinegar Paste:**
Combine one cup of baking soda and one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar in a bowl. Spread the paste onto the brass once fizzing stops, allowing it to sit for 30 minutes (but no more than one hour).
3. **Cover the Brass With the Paste:**
Gently rub away the paste and tarnish with a damp cloth. For intricate carvings, an old toothbrush works well to reach small crevices.
4. **Rinse and Buff to a Shine:**
Thoroughly rinse the item in warm water and buff it dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
**Tip:** If lemons or vinegar are unavailable, mix baking soda with ketchup to create a paste, following the same cleaning steps.
Maintaining Brass Shine
– Handle brass objects minimally to prevent tarnishing caused by skin oils.
– Regularly dust decorative brass pieces to prevent tarnish from airborne pollutants.
– Ensure thorough drying of brass kitchenware to prevent spotting and tarnishing.
– Avoid harsh cleaners like dishwasher detergents or ammonia that can damage the finish.
– Consider applying a polyurethane coating to maintain the brilliance of decorative brass finishes post-polishing.