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You will want to check out my homemade brass cleaner if you are looking for a way to clean non-lacquered tarnished brass!
If you are looking to clean cabinet pulls, decorative ware, fixtures and more then my homemade brass cleaner is for you!
To learn more about my homemade brass cleaner, check out my post on Instagram!
❤️ Why You’ll Love My Homemade Brass Cleaner
I love the effectiveness of my homemade brass cleaner! The power of white vinegar and/or lemon juice and table salt combine to bust through the oxidation and leave my brass sparkly clean!
🧽 Materials for My Homemade Brass Cleaner
How does this work?
The acidity of vinegar or lemon juice combined with the abrasiveness of salt works effectively to remove tarnish and restore the shine of brass items.
The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with the oxides (such as copper oxide) or sulfides (such as copper sulfide) on the surface of the brass. This reaction breaks down these compounds into soluble salts and other by-products that can be easily wiped away.
So say “bye-bye” to tarnish!
🧼 How to Do: Homemade Brass Cleaner
When cleaning your brass (no matter how you choose to clean it), remember–drying your brass is crucial! Take it from me, I have learned the hard way!
Why is drying your brass an important step in cleaning or working with brass? Drying brass after cleaning it is crucial for several reasons:
- Preventing Water Spots: Water left on the surface can dry and leave mineral deposits or water spots, which can mar the appearance of the brass.
- Avoiding Tarnish: Brass can tarnish more quickly if it’s left wet. The moisture can accelerate the oxidation process, causing the brass to lose its shine and develop a dull, tarnished look.
- Preventing Corrosion: Although brass is relatively resistant to corrosion, prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to corrosion or pitting over time, especially if the water contains impurities or salts.
- Maintaining Shine: Drying the brass immediately after cleaning helps to ensure that it retains its polished, shiny appearance.
- Ensuring Longevity: Proper drying helps preserve the integrity and appearance of brass items, ensuring they remain in good condition for a longer period.
I prefer using a soft, dry cloth to thoroughly dry my brass items after cleaning. This step helps to maintain their appearance and prevents damage from moisture.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
Test First: Before applying the vinegar-salt mixture to the entire piece, be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage the brass.
Apply the Mixture: Dip the sponge or cloth into the vinegar solution, then rub the tarnished brass item gently. Ensure you cover all tarnished areas.
Let It Sit: For heavily tarnished items, I allow the vinegar solution to sit on the brass for a few minutes to break down the tarnish.
Scrub Gently: I prefer to use se gentle, circular motions to scrub the brass. Avoid using too much force to prevent scratching.
Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, rinse the brass item with warm water to remove any residual vinegar and salt. This step is crucial to prevent any acidic residue from continuing to act on the brass.
Dry Immediately: I prefer to use se a soft, dry cloth to thoroughly dry the brass item. Immediate drying helps prevent water spots and further tarnishing.
🗒 Variations
The salt acts as a natural abrasive. So what to do if you have no salt? No worries! Try these variations that I love and are just as effective:
Baking Soda: Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can effectively help remove tarnish. Mix it with vinegar to create a paste and use it to scrub the brass.
Flour: Flour can be mixed with vinegar to create a thick paste that can be used to clean brass. It’s less abrasive than salt, making it suitable for delicate items.
Cornstarch: Similar to flour, cornstarch can be mixed with vinegar to form a paste. It provides a gentle scrubbing action.
Be sure to apply the tips and tricks mentioned in the “Tips and Trick” section when testing with a new variation! We all have different items and surfaces in our homes. So you will want to make sure the solution you create is just right for your item!
🗒 Substitutions
This might sound wild! And, again, I highly suggest you TEST this FIRST! But, did you know you can clean brass with toothpaste? Yes, you heard me right! I said “toothpaste!”
How does this work?
Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that can effectively remove tarnish from brass without causing damage
So what do I do?
Apply Toothpaste: I squeeze a small amount of non-gel toothpaste onto a soft cloth or sponge. I ensure the toothpaste is white, as gel types may not contain the necessary abrasives.
Rub the Brass: I gently rub the toothpaste onto the tarnished areas of the brass item. Use circular motions to cover the entire surface evenly. The mild abrasives in the toothpaste will help lift the tarnish.
Let It Sit: For more stubborn tarnish, I let the toothpaste sit on the brass for a few minutes to allow the cleaning agents to work.
Scrub Gently: If needed, I use a soft-bristled brush (like an old toothbrush) to get into intricate details and crevices.
Rinse: I rinse the brass item thoroughly with warm water to remove all toothpaste residue.
Dry Immediately: I use a soft, dry cloth to thoroughly dry the brass item. This step is crucial to prevent water spots and further tarnishing.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT USE COLORED TOOTHPASTE! Colored toothpaste may contain dyes that could stain your brass.
And as usual, TEST IN A SMALL AREA first!!!
🫙 How to Store
I don’t usually have a ton of this leftover. Creating the solution to use at the time of cleaning is what I do. I do not prepare this in bulk and keep on hand. This is because then the ingredients are fresh and most effective.
But if you are making this in bulk just be sure to store my homemade brass cleaner in an airtight container!
🤔 Common Questions
Vinegar and salt are very effective for cleaning brass. The acidity of vinegar breaks down tarnish, while the salt acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away dirt and grime.
Vinegar is safe for cleaning brass as long as it is used correctly. Prolonged exposure or using too strong a solution can potentially damage the brass, so it’s important to rinse and dry the brass thoroughly after cleaning.
For light tarnish, rubbing the solution on and rinsing it off immediately is often sufficient. For heavier tarnish, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
If the brass is still tarnished, you can repeat the cleaning process or use a paste made from vinegar, salt, and flour for more stubborn tarnish. Apply the paste, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse.
No, this method is not suitable for lacquered brass. The vinegar can strip the lacquer, causing damage. It is best used on non-lacquered, plain brass items.
Homemade Brass Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 cup White vinegar
- 1 tblspn Salt, table
Instructions
- Dampen a sponge with vinegar
- Sprinkle with salt
- Rub the brass
- Rinse with water
- Dry immediately for a brilliant, polished finish.