How To Clean Brass and Remove Tarnish
Get your brass items gleaming again with our tips on how to clean brass with this home remedy that works for brass jewelry, home decor items, and hardware.
Yield: 1 cup
Cost: $2
Equipment
- Soft Cloth
- Toothbrush
Materials
- 1 Teaspoon Table Salt
- ½ cup Distilled white vinegar
- ⅓ cup All-purpose Flour
- 1 Barkeepers Friend (Optional)
Instructions
- Dissolve the salt into the vinegar, and then flour until you make a thick paste.
- Cover the surface with the paste mixture and let sit for at least 10 minutes. On heavily tarnished brass (very dark), let sit for up to a few hours.
- If needed, use the remaining paste, or make a fresh batch if it has been several hours, and gently remove the remaining tarnish with a toothbrush or soft polishing cloth.
- Once all the tarnish is removed, make sure to clean the brass piece thoroughly with warm water. Vinegar and salt can speed up the collection of tarnish.
- (Optional) Barkeepers Friend. Follow instructions on the can, creating a paste.
Notes
How to Prevent Brass from Tarnishing
- You can apply a lacquer coating that will seal out water and oxygen. Make sure to do several even, thin coats so it is completely coated well. This won't work on items exposed to high temperatures.
- You can apply a thin coat of oil to slow the process. Some commonly used oils for preventing tarnish are linseed oil, baby oil, mineral oil, and beeswax. A high quality car wax can also be applied for items that are strictly for display. If you are coating something that you handle often use to cook or store food, be sure to use an oil that is safe for consumption.