4 ideas for cleaning and restoring brass

Restoring brass can be a tough nut to crack, but it can be done. Over the years, even your favourite pieces can turn into something dull and not exactly inviting. Oxygen readily causes corrosion, but how do you deal with it? We have found several methods that will make the job easier for you.

4 ideas

Ordinary ingredients that you have in your kitchen, renovated or not, will help you remove various stains and blemishes. Remember to get a soft cloth for polishing. Never use wire wool, which could damage your favourite piece rather than help it. Just remember that brass should always be polished, otherwise you could damage it.

1. Ketchup

You may be surprised, but ketchup is not just for pasta. You can also use it on brass. The acidity of ketchup can help remove stains from brass. Apply a thin layer of ketchup to a small area of the brass item and leave it for a few seconds, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. If this restores its shine, apply ketchup to the whole item and leave it for an hour. Wash it in warm soapy water and leave it to dry.

2. Vinegar

You will find it in almost every home. Vinegar, thanks to its acidity, is useful for polishing heavily tarnished brass items. Add a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of vinegar and stir until the salt dissolves. Take the resulting paste and spread it over the brass surface, then leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse, wipe and dry with a clean cloth. If the discolouration is heavy, leave the vinegar paste on for an hour.

3. Lemon

Lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda make a powerful cleaner. Mix the two into a paste and apply it to the brass surface with a soft cloth. If the item is heavily soiled, leave it for half an hour. Buff and polish dry.

Take half a lemon and sprinkle it with salt. Now rub the lemon over the tarnished surface, squeezing it to release the juice. Rinse with warm water and dry.

4. Soap and water

You can also clean tarnished brass by wiping it over with lemon juice. Leave it for 30 minutes, then scrub the pieces with a soft toothbrush and washing-up liquid. Rinse and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

The biggest mistakes

• Never scrub brass!
• Do not use harsh chemicals, as they can damage the surface
• Never put brass in the dishwasher.

How often should you clean brass?

How often you clean it depends on how often you use the brass item and how often you touch it. Brass jewellery, tableware or kitchen items such as handles and pulls should be cleaned monthly, while decorative brass items that you rarely touch can be cleaned once or twice a year. Between cleans, wipe decorative brass items and gently buff them with a soft cloth to keep them looking new and shiny.

Whether your home is in an industrial or minimalist style, these tips will certainly come in handy.

Source: architecturaldigest.in