If your brass item is not too tarnished, you can use regular polishing with a soft cloth to restore its shine. A microfiber or soft cotton cloth is ideal, and you should choose a cleaner that won’t damage the patina or leave scratches on the surface.
You should always test any cleaning method in an inconspicuous area. Also, if your brass is lacquered or plated, avoid using abrasive cleaners, as they could damage or remove the finish.
Patina
Whether you collect brass antiques or simply use decorative doorknobs and hardware around your home, the beautiful metal can easily tarnish. Oil from your hands, dust, dirt, and other environmental elements can all contribute to a dull, dark appearance that reduces the value of your brass. The good news is that you can restore the shine with only a few household items and a little bit of time. Here are four tried-and-true methods to clean and polish your brass while protecting the patina.
Before beginning to clean, check to ensure that the item you’re cleaning is made of brass. Many items that look like brass are actually made of a mixture of other metals, such as steel, zinc, or cast iron. A simple test with a magnet will reveal whether or not the piece is pure brass; the magnet won’t stick to solid brass but will stick to other metals. Brass-plated items can be cleaned with hot, soapy water, but rubbing them too vigorously can damage the brass coating.
The easiest way to protect your brass pieces is by regularly applying a linseed or mineral oil coat. This coat will help prevent tarnishing and give your brass a rich, glowing appearance. Apply a small amount of oil to a soft cloth and rub it into the brass, then buff it with another soft cloth until the item is shiny.
You can also try using a commercial brass cleaner, such as JAX Brass Cleaner, or a homemade solution of equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Be sure to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous spot first, and avoid using abrasive scrubbing cloths, metal-bristled brushes, or steel wool, as these may scratch your brass pieces. An old, clean toothbrush can be very helpful in reaching small crevices where tarnish tends to collect. Rinse the brass thoroughly after using any cleaner and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using any acid-based cleaners on lacquered or coated brass, as this will strip the protective layer and can cause it to tarnish faster in the future.
Damage
The most common cause of tarnish on antique brass is air pollution and moisture. These factors can make the brass oxidize faster, which means that it will need to be cleaned more often than would otherwise be necessary. Other causes of tarnish on brass items include dust, fingerprints, and oil from human hands. In addition, some cleaning methods can cause damage to the brass. Therefore, it is important to test the item in a discreet area before using any cleaning solution on it. Using gloves when handling the brass is also a good idea, as the oils in your fingers can hasten tarnishing.
The first thing to do is determine whether or not the brass item is solid brass or brass plated. This can be done by testing with a magnet. Solid brass does not stick to magnets, but it is likely brass-plated if the magnet sticks to the item. Plated items can usually be cleaned with hot soapy water, but rubbing and polishing them too aggressively can strip the brass plating.
A few of the most common brass cleaners include vinegar, lemon juice, and toothpaste. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that can clean brass and remove the tarnish. To use this method, apply the paste to the tarnished area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rub it gently with a cloth or toothbrush. Finally, rinse and dry the item.
Another natural brass cleaning combination is lemon and salt. Cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds to use this method. Coat the lemon in table salt and rub it onto the tarnished area, re-coating as needed. After rubbing the brass, rinse it and dry it with a cloth.
Antique nautical brass items should not be soaked in ammonia, as it can cause a dull finish and even reduce the value of the item. However, light tarnishing can sometimes be removed with commercial metal polishes such as Brasso. These products contain ammonia and can remove light tarnishing, dirt, and fingerprints. They are safe to use on plated items, but if you have lacquered brass that is heavily tarnished, it may need to be stripped and then cleaned. After cleaning, a protective coat of furniture polish can be applied to prevent it from tarnishing again.
Cleaning
If you collect antique brass ship lights from flea markets and estate sales or have a few pieces in your home, you want them to look their best. Brass items can tarnish easily, thanks to oil from our hands and other dust, dirt, and grease sources. If left untreated, tarnish can turn shining candlesticks and doorknobs into dark, dull remnants. Regular cleaning with the right products will keep your brass looking good and help prevent tarnishing and damage from oxidation.
When preparing to clean your brass, the first thing to do is make sure that it is solid brass and not brass-plated. Brass-plated items can be ruined by many brass cleaners, which can rub off the coating and expose the copper underneath to the elements.
Once you’ve sorted out the material, the next step is to determine the extent of the tarnish and how dirty your brass is. If your piece is only lightly tarnished, a quick buff with a soft cloth should remove it. Start washing your item with hot, soapy water for more severe tarnish. Use a cloth or toothbrush to get into small corners where dirt and tarnish gather.
For very tarnished brass, you can use a combination of white vinegar, flour, and salt to create a paste that will lift away the oxidation. Once the tarnish is gone, rinse and dry your brass. To keep your brass pieces looking their best, you can also apply a light coat of mineral or linseed oil to the surface of your item after cleaning it.
If your brass is heavily tarnished or coated in an old layer of lacquer, you’ll need to take more drastic measures. To prepare for this, you’ll need a plastic bin, some gloves, an old paintbrush, JAX cleaner, or your homemade cleaner (see below). You’ll also need a towel, a toothbrush, and some rags to protect other areas of your house from the brass polish. Before applying the JAX or homemade cleaner, make sure to test the solution in an inconspicuous area.
Restoration
Antique brass items are often found at flea markets or estate sales, but they can quickly tarnish from the oils on our hands and other environmental contaminants. If the brass item can be submerged, soapy water with a microfiber cloth is usually enough to remove light tarnish. More heavily tarnished items may need to be gently scrubbed with an old toothbrush or soft-bristled nylon scrubbing brush and rinsed before being patted dry. Abrasive scrubbing brushes or cleaners containing vinegar or soda bicarbonate can damage and/or discolor brass and may also remove any engraved or decorative details.
Using a lint-free microfiber cloth and rubbing a thin coat of commercial brass polish over the surface will bring back the luster and shine to solid brass pieces. These metal polishes typically leave a protective coating that will also help prevent future tarnishing.
Ketchup also works well to remove light tarnish from brass since it has lower levels of acid than lemon juice or vinegar. Simply rub a thin layer onto the brass and let sit for an hour before rinsing it with warm water. A soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge can be helpful for getting into any crevices that are difficult to reach.
For more heavily tarnished brass, mix equal parts of vinegar and salt to create a paste that can be applied with a damp cloth. The vinegar and salt work together to break down the oxidation on the brass, while the salt’s grit helps scour the piece clean and polish it. After applying the paste, rinse and buff the item with a soft cloth to polish it to a rich shine. To protect the polished finish, apply a thin coat of mineral oil to the brass once it is completely dry. Avoid touching the brass with bare skin or using any abrasive scrubbing cloths, steel-bristled brushes, or other harsh scrubbing materials, as they can cause scratches on the surface of the item. The best way to protect a vintage piece of brass furniture or hardware is to keep it out of the sunlight, away from corrosive chemicals, and in a secure place without frequent handling.
