Brass is an alloy of zinc, copper, and sometimes other metals. Brass is a material that has been used by people of ancient and modern civilizations because of its durability, elegance, and malleability. However, dirt and grease can build up on the brass surface, and over time it can fade the color. If you want to bring back the shine of brass objects, there are a variety of cleaning methods that only require common household ingredients combined with careful application. You can also use a commercial cleaner to clean brass depending on the severity of the stain covering the brass object.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparation for Cleaning Brass
Step 1. Find out if the object to be cleaned is really made of brass
Hold a magnet near a brass object, and see if the magnet sticks to it.
- If the magnet doesn't stick, it means it's made of brass.
- If the magnet sticks, then the possibility of the "brass" object is actually iron or steel coated with brass.
Step 2. Find out if the item should be cleaned
Some brass objects aren't meant to be shiny, so any attempt to clean them can actually take away their value. If you're not sure what the next step is to clean brass objects, consult an expert and discuss your cleaning options.
- Sometimes the patina (the blue-green color that forms in brass and copper) can add uniqueness to brass and should be left alone.
- Patina is used to assess aspects of brass objects. For example, patina can be used to determine the age of a brass object, its current state, and its potential value. Attempts to remove or change the patina on a brass object can significantly affect its value.
Step 3. Find out if the brass object is varnished
In modern brass items, the outer varnish layer acts as a protection against oxidation. However, antique and vintage brass items usually don't have a varnish finish. You can tell if a brass object is lacquered by looking at its surface: it has a clear coating that covers the entire exterior. Brass coated with lacquer will usually fade if there are cracks in the lacquer coating.
- Lacquered brass objects are fairly easy to clean; the only thing needed is soapy water. However, you should consider removing the varnish if a fading condition has formed under the varnish layer.
- If you're having trouble determining whether a brass item has a lacquer finish, keep in mind that a lacquered brass item is more yellow in color.
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning Pure Brass
Step 1. Clean the lacquered brass object
The first protection to keep brass objects clean is to regularly clean the dust using a soft cloth. After dusting off the lacquered brass, dip a soft cotton cloth in a mixture of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Squeeze the rag until it is slightly damp, and gently wipe the brass surface clean. Once the surface has been cleaned, use a cloth that has been dipped in clean water and wrung out to remove any soap residue, then dry the brass object.
If you're trying to get rid of any fading that has built up on the underside of lacquered brass, you'll need to remove the varnish first
Step 2. Remove the varnish with hot water
Hot water softens the layer of varnish covering the brass. Put the brass object in the sink, and pour hot water over it. Hot water will heat the brass so that it expands. The varnish will expand with the brass. However, if the brass begins to cool, it will shrink slightly, but the varnish will not. When the brass has cooled, the varnish separates slightly from the brass surface and can peel off easily.
You can also try boiling the brass in water to remove the varnish, depending on the size of the object. All you need is to immerse the brass object in a non-aluminum pan with boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, remove the brass object from the water, let it cool, and peel off the varnish
Step 3. Remove the varnish with a varnish remover
Place the brass object on the table covered with several layers of newspaper. Newspaper will help protect the work area by absorbing any dripping varnish remover. Consider using a paint brush to coat the brass object evenly. Once you have applied the varnish remover, let it sit for one to two minutes, then wipe the varnish remover with a soft cloth. Be sure to look at the instructions on the varnish remover package.
- Be careful and follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, as varnish remover is made of harmful, harsh chemicals.
- Protect skin and wear gloves when in contact with varnish remover.
- Due to the harmful fumes of varnish remover, perform this cleaning outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid fire when working with varnish remover as this material is highly flammable.
Step 4. Polish the brass
Make sure the brass is clean of dust and dirt before starting to polish. There are many different types of commercial brass polish, but you can make your own brass polish at home with lemon. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from a lemon in a small bowl. Add salt or baking soda to form a paste – any ingredients are fine, as the salt/baking soda only acts as a scrubber. This mixture requires about a teaspoon or so of salt or baking soda. Apply the paste to the brass object using a soft cloth.
- Make sure you apply the paste in the direction of the metal veins. Otherwise, small scratches will appear on the brass surface.
- Do not rub the paste too hard on the brass object. The coarse salt/baking soda will remove the fading condition on the brass.
- Consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean nooks and crannies and hard-to-reach places on the brass object.
Step 5. Consider polishing the brass with a commercial cleaner
There are many eco-friendly brass cleaners that can remove fading conditions and restore the shine of brass objects without scratching and damaging the surface.
- Sometimes brass cleaners have abrasive elements in their formulas, so be careful not to damage the fragile engraving on the brass object.
- Avoid muriatic acid. This substance does not clean brass properly and can leave permanent stains.
- Undissolved white vinegar or ammonia is very effective for cleaning antique brass. Soak the brass object for an hour in vinegar or ammonia. Both are natural cleaning agents and can make brass shiny and durable.
Step 6. Consider alternative brass cleaners
While you can make your own brass cleaner at home or use a store-bought commercial brass cleaner, consider using other natural ingredients to clean brass objects:
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Tomato sauce.
Use a soft cloth to apply ketchup to the brass object. Let the ketchup sit on the brass surface for about 10 minutes, then wipe the ketchup off with a damp, clean cloth. Dry the brass object.
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Yogurt.
Coat the brass object with plain yogurt. The lactic acid in yogurt works to break down and dissolve the fading condition of brass. Allow the yogurt to dry on the brass and then clean with water, and dry with a clean cloth.
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White vinegar and salt.
Coat the brass object with white vinegar (by pouring or spraying vinegar on the brass surface), then sprinkle salt on top of the vinegar layer. Wet a rag with a little vinegar and gently wipe the brass. Dry with a clean cloth.
Step 7. Protect the brass from fading again
When you have finished cleaning the brass object, protect it from fading again by applying a coat of varnish. You can apply the varnish using a paint brush or cotton ball. Refer to the instructions on the varnish packaging for recommendations from the manufacturer.
- If you decide to apply varnish, be sure to apply only a light coat. Watch for dripping varnish, as the drips can dry, causing the brass object to become covered in varnish drips.
- Allow the brass object to dry before touching. Once the varnish has dried, wipe the brass with a clean cloth to give it a shine.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning Brass Plated Objects
Step 1. Find out if the item is pure brass or brass plated
It is difficult to distinguish whether a brass object is really pure brass or brass plated. Hold a magnet near the brass object and see if the magnet is attracted. If the magnet doesn't stick, chances are you're holding a pure brass object. If the magnet sticks, it is likely that the "brass" object is actually an object of iron or brass plated steel.
- An alternative way to check if an object is pure brass or just brass plated is to use a sharp kitchen knife and scratch it in an invisible area. If the object is pure brass, then the color of the streak is bright yellow.
- If the stain isn't yellow, like silver, then it must be another metal, and you'll still need a mild cleaner to keep the brass plated off.
Step 2. Clean the lacquered brass plated object
Clean the entire surface of the brass plated object with a mixture of mild soap and cold water until it is lukewarm. Dip the cloth in soapy water, wring out the cloth until it is slightly damp, and gently rub the surface of the brass object.
- Don't try to polish lacquered brass. Polish tends to turn the brass surface opaque.
- Do not use cleaners containing ammonia on lacquered brass objects, as the ammonia will break down the protective lacquer coating.
Step 3. Clean the unvarnished brass plated object
Dip a soft cotton cloth in a mixture of mild dish soap and lukewarm water, wring out the cloth until it is slightly damp, and wipe the surface of the brass object clean.
You can use an old toothbrush to clean the nooks and crannies of brass objects
Step 4. Rinse and apply a gentle polish
Rinse the brass object with water, and dry it with a clean cloth.
- Polishing brass-plated objects may remove the brass plating. If you want to polish brass-plated objects, do so with extreme care.
- It may be helpful to try polishing an invisible part of the brass plated object before polishing the entire item.
Tips
A slice of lemon smeared on a plate of salt will also remove a very severe fading condition so that the brass object becomes clean without being polished
Warning
- Excessive cleaning and the use of abrasives can damage brass.
- When using paint or varnish remover, or when applying varnish to brass, follow the manufacturer's instructions and heed the warnings.
