Use These Household Items to Clean and Polish Brass (Because They’re Not the Same Thing)
Due to its durability and rich color, brass – an alloy of copper and zinc – has been used for centuries to make everything from kitchen utensils and hardware to household items and decor. But brass also has a downside: it tarnishes easily. And like anything else, brass can accumulate dirt and dust over time, requiring a good cleaning.
But items that appear to be brass can actually be plated with brass and therefore require different types of maintenance. And in some cases, solid brass items are lacquered, which also changes how you can do it. Here’s how to determine what type of brass you’re dealing with and how to clean and polish it using products you probably already have at home.
How to tell if an item is solid brass or brass plated
Brass-plated products are usually made from steel or zinc and then plated with a thin layer of hard brass and lacquered. According to Brassworks Co. in Baltimore , the brass plating is “extremely thin” and wears out over time, but can be replaced.
The easiest way to tell if an object is solid brass or plated brass is to see if it’s magnetic – you can do this with a fridge magnet. While solid brass is not magnetic, brass-plated items (more specifically, the metal they are made of) are magnetic.
How to tell if a piece of solid brass is lacquered
As we mentioned, almost all brass-plated items are lacquered, but some solid brass items are also lacquered to prevent tarnishing. Therefore, if your brass object does not magnetize and does not tarnish , most likely it has been varnished.
Also, if you have determined that an object is solid brass and notice a clear, thin, shiny finish peeling off in places, this is also a sign that the object has been varnished. In this situation, if you want an item to last a long time, your best (and really only) option is to get it professionally repaired .
How to clean brass-plated and solid lacquered brass
According to Brassworks Co. , Brass and lacquered brass are generally safe to clean, but should never be polished. This is because polishing can damage and cloud the varnish.
To clean this category of brass, start by wiping the item with a soft cloth to remove dust, dirt, and other debris. If additional cleaning is required, use a combination of warm water and mild soap (such as Dawn dishwashing detergent) and then wipe again with a clean, dry cloth. Never soak brass items for a long time and do not wash them in the dishwasher.
How to clean solid brass items
A lot of what we think of as “cleaning” brass actually polishes it (which we’ll get to in a minute). To simply clean it, such as removing the surface layer of dirt, dust, and debris that has built up over time, use the same technique above, including a soft cloth (ideally microfiber), warm water, and a mild soap.
When Not to Polish Solid Brass
Evaluate the item after you’ve cleaned it, because it might be all you need. In fact, before you start polishing any antique or antique solid brass items, you may want to consult with an antiques specialist to make sure it’s a smart idea.
This is because when some people buy an old brass piece they want it to reflect its age – tarnishing and all. So if you’re looking to sell a solid brass item or are worried about retaining its value, think twice before removing the patina.
How to polish solid brass
If you decide to polish your brass, there are some highly effective, widely available specialty products such as Brasso , Wright’s Brass Polish , Twinkle Brass and Copper Cleaning Kit , Flitz Brass & Copper Tarnish Remover and Blue Magic Metal Polish – some of which have been around for over a century. .
But if this is your first time polishing brass, you probably don’t have time to sit under the sink or in the garage. Here are a few ways to polish brass with materials you probably already have in your home:
Bartender’s friend
One store-bought product you might have on hand, however, is the cleaning workhorse (and Lifehacker’s favorite ), Barkeepers Friend . Brass is one of the many metals and surfaces that this cleaner handles with ease, both in powder and mild liquid form. Here are the instructions from the manufacturer that will guide you through the process of cleaning and polishing brass.
Vinegar, salt and flour
This is one of the most popular homemade brass polishes, and all the recommendations are well deserved: this material works. To make this , mix equal parts salt and flour, then add enough white vinegar to make a thick paste. Wipe it off using a damp cloth and some elbow grease. Then rinse the item with warm water and polish dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Lemon juice and baking soda
Make a paste by adding one teaspoon of baking soda to the juice of half a lemon. Use a soft cloth to apply and rub in the DIY polish . If you get the desired results relatively quickly, finish polishing the item, then rinse it with warm water and dry it with a clean, soft cloth. But if the tarnish on this item is particularly severe, leave the homemade polish on for 30 minutes and then rinse and dry using the process above.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is also an effective and easy-to-use brass polish. To clarify, you want the traditional plain white toothpaste, not the gel varieties. (Bonus points if it contains baking soda.) Use a soft, damp cloth to apply a thin layer of toothpaste to a brass object. Leave on for a few minutes and then scrub well with a cloth or soft bristled toothbrush. After that, rinse it with warm water and dry the product thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Ketchup or other tomato sauces
Dampen a soft cloth, then use it to apply and rub the ketchup (or tomato sauce or paste) onto the brass to remove the tarnish. If the tarnish is particularly persistent, apply a coat of ketchup to the piece and let it sit for an hour before wiping it off with a damp cloth and then buffing it dry with a clean cloth.
Worcestershire sauce
Similar to the ketchup method, use a soft, damp cloth to rub a small amount of Worcestershire sauce over the copper object to polish it. Finish by wiping with a clean, damp cloth and then buffing dry with a new/separate cloth.
Lemon slice and salt
If there is still some tarnish in some areas after polishing your brass piece, dip a slice of lemon (or peel) in salt and rub it. Then rinse the area with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
How to Protect Solid Brass After Polishing
After polishing, you can rub with a (very) thin coat of linseed or mineral oil . Not only will this kick the shine up a notch, but most importantly, it will prevent (or at least slow down) tarnishing in the future.