Brass adds a warm, brilliant shine to your home. Your décor may include brass on everything from vases and lamps to wall art, fixtures and more.
Unfortunately, brass is prone to tarnishing. This can make it look dirty and poorly cared for. While tarnished brass may seem like a complicated problem to deal with, you can actually clean brass using ingredients that you likely already have in your house.
What Causes Brass Discoloration?
Brass is comprised of zinc and copper. These metals undergo a natural process when they are exposed to air, and this process results in tarnish. Other factors can tarnish brass as well.
For example, the oils on your fingertips and hands can interact with the metals and create tarnish. If you immerse your brass objects in water, you likely will notice tarnishing.
How Often Should Brass Be Cleaned?
Brass is easiest to clean when it only has a light layer of tarnish. For this reason, it is best to clean brass at the first sign of tarnish rather than let the problem grow. If a surface is rarely used or touched, it likely only needs to be cleaned annually.
For items that you use periodically or regularly, monitor them for signs of tarnishing, and clean them as needed.
How Do You Clean Tarnished Brass Items
Not all brass items are made out of pure brass. In addition, some may have a coating on them. Before cleaning a tarnished brass item, test a small, hidden area of the object to ensure that your method won’t cause damage.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic substance that can cut through tarnish. Dissolve a teaspoon of table salt in ½ cup vinegar. Then, create a paste by adding two tablespoons of flour. Cover the brass with the paste. After 10 minutes, wipe off the paste. Then, rinse it with fresh water and dry it.
Ketchup
The acid in tomatoes is effective at removing tarnish. If you don’t have ketchup, tomato sauce and tomato paste work great, too. To clean with your tomato-based product, rub it across the tarnished surface. Wait an hour. Then, clean the surface using liquid dish soap and warm water. Rinse and dry the brass object.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
An alternative to cleaning tarnished brass with vinegar, flour and table salt is to use vinegar and baking soda. Combine enough baking soda to the vinegar to create a loose paste. A good ratio is one part vinegar to four parts baking soda. After applying the paste, let it sit undisturbed for a half hour. Then, rub the object with a clean cloth or toothbrush until the tarnish is removed. Rinse the brass object, and dry it with a microfiber cloth.
Soap & Water
To clean tarnished brass with soap and water, fill a container with warm water, and add several tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Immerse the object in the water, and let it soak for a few minutes. Using either a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristle toothbrush, scrub the tarnish until it disappears. Then, rinse the item thoroughly, and dry it with a clean cloth.
Toothpaste
When cleaning brass with toothpaste, only use plain, white toothpaste rather than a gel. Apply the toothpaste to the tarnished brass in a thin layer. After several minutes, use a microfiber cloth to polish the brass using the toothpaste until the tarnish disappears. Use cool water to rinse off the toothpaste and dry the brass with a microfiber cloth.
Lemon & Salt
Cut a lemon in half. Dip the open side in a table salt. Using the salty lemon, rub the tarnished item. Gently squeeze the lemon as you work, and dip the lemon in table salt again periodically, if necessary. After removing the tarnish, rinse the item off with warm water, and thoroughly dry it.
When Is It Necessary to Use a Commercial Cleaner?
There are several commercial cleaners that are effective at removing tarnish. These can be used as a substitute for the DIY solutions listed above. If an item is badly tarnished, you can try a commercial cleaner or use an ultrasonic cleaner machine.
Professional cleaning is recommended for brass objects that have locks, hinges or hardware. Brass lighting and other objects that use wiring or lubricated parts should also be professionally cleaned.
How Do You Prevent Brass from Tarnishing?
Tarnish is the result of a natural oxidative process, so it is not possible to entirely prevent tarnish without lacquering the surface. However, you can reduce the speed of this process dramatically by adding a lacquer coating. In addition, avoid touching the brass object more than necessary. Keep the brass in a cool, dry, low-humidity area. If it gets wet, thoroughly dry it as soon as possible.
FAQs
What Is the Best Thing to Clean Brass?
While there are store-bought brass cleaning products available, you can save money and get comparable results when you choose products that you likely already have at home. For example, the acids found in tomato-based products, vinegar and lemon juice are effective. Mild abrasives like salt and baking soda can be used with these acids as well. Alternatives include plain, white toothpaste or liquid dish soap and water.
Can I Use Abrasive Cleaners on Brass?
While you can use mild abrasives like salt or baking soda to clean brass, you should avoid harsh abrasives. These abrasives can scratch the surface and cause permanent damage.
How Do You Clean Brass That Has Turned Black?
Brass often turns black when the air is salty or when the item has not been cleaned or cared for properly. To clean black tarnish from brass, mix ½ cup vinegar with a teaspoon of salt until it dissolves. Add two tablespoons of flour to form a paste. Wipe the paste on the brass, and let it sit for 30 minutes. You can then remove the paste with fresh water and dry the brass.
Brass is only one of the many materials in your home that require special care. Proper care over the years will help you keep your belongings in excellent condition and give your home the pristine look that you desire. The easy way to care for your home is with maid service in Boston, MA. Contact TidyHere today to book maid service with our pros.
