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How to clean brass: We tested 5 effective and easy methods for you!

 

It's natural for unlacquered brass items to tarnish over time, and finding the best way to clean them while preserving their beautiful finish can be a challenge.

We have tested several brass cleaning methods and We've come up with the most 5 easy and effective ones that really work. 

You can easily bring back your brass items gleam with a few household products.

If you have a lacquered brass item, you should be aware that these cleaning methods may damage it.

Method 1: How to clean brass with baking soda and lemon

 

Ingredients:                                                   Cleaning time estimation: 15 min      

  • baking soda
  • lemon juice

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of lemon juice and stir until it becomes a paste. Rub the mixture all over the piece with a soft rag, let it sit for 10 min then rinse it with warm water.

If you are impatient like me and want to get a job done without waiting, this method is for you, the mixture acts quickly on the surfaces of the item for a satisfying result.

Lemon juice is acidic which will keep your brass from turning green while the mild abrasiveness of baking soda will gently polish away any existing tarnish.

Method 2: How to clean brass with lemon and Salt

 

Ingredients:                                                        Cleaning time estimation: 15 min

  • Salt  
  • Lemon juice                                                       

Mix equal parts of table salt, and lemon juice until the salt is dissolved, or take half of the lemon and coat it with salt. Now rub it on the surface of the tarnished brass for 10 min until it is clean, then rinse with warm water.

This method is very efficient, but you must be careful while rubbing. If you scrub too hard, rub marks may be left behind.

Using Lemon and salt polish to clean brass will provide a long-lasting shine that is resistant to tarnish. The lemon's acidic juices penetrate the brass, loosening oxidation while leaving a protective coating. 

Method 3: How to clean brass with flour, Salt, and White Vinegar

Ingredients:                                                Cleaning time estimation: 1h05min      
  • White vinegar
  • Flour
  • Salt
To make a cleaning paste, use equal parts of flour, salt, and white vinegar, combine the ingredients in a small bowl and stir together. Apply the mixtures to the tarnished brass. Leave the mixture on for an hour before scrubbing then rinsing with warm water and drying with a clean soft towel.
This is a very easy process. The recipe only has 3 ingredients that are easy to find in any kitchen cupboard, and safe to use together.
The vinegar breaks down the tarnish while the salt acts as a gentle abrasive so you can remove it without scratching the metal. The flour completes the paste, helping remove any excess vinegar while leaving behind a smooth surface that you can rub against.

Method 4: How to clean brass with ketchup, Tomato Sauce, or Tomato Paste

 

Ingredients:                                                      Cleaning time estimation: 1h05min

  • Ketchup or tomato paste 

Ketchup, tomato paste, and tomato sauce all work equally well. Apply a layer of whichever one you choose to your brass and leave it on for an hour. Then wash with warm water and dish soap and let it dry.

This method is easy, economical, and effective at cleaning your brass. All you need is one ingredient -- ketchup.

Ketchup and tomato paste contains an acid that helps to remove tarnish on brass and other metals

Method 5: How to clean brass with lemon and dish soap

 

Ingredients:                                                       Cleaning time estimation: 35 min                                                           

  • lemon juice
  • dish soap                                                         

    You can also clean your tarnished brass by running lemon juice over it. Let it sit for 30minutes, then scrub the pieces using a soft toothbrush and dish soap. Rinse well and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth or a soft towel

    Mistakes to Avoid

    • Avoid scrubbing too hard – you may scratch the brass.
    • Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners they  are abrasive and will damage the surface and the finish of the brass
    • Do not use any of these methods if the brass is lacquered/varnished
    • Never put brass in the dishwasher

     

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