Brass is made from an alloy of zinc and copper. Very different from other metals, it gives faucets, door handles, decoration and curtain rods an original aesthetic. However, as elegant as it is, it is also sometimes little appreciated, because it tends to quickly oxidize on contact with air. In fact, an unsightly gray-green deposit quickly becomes noticed, and it is not easy to get rid of! However, you will have to find a suitable cleaner to restore its shine without damaging it. Forget bleach and ammonia which will do big damage, grandma has better things! Find out how to clean and shine brass that is starting to tarnish without damaging it.
Important : For cleaning, use a soft cloth (like microfiber cloth or chamois, the main thing is to use a damp cloth which will not leave lint residue or which could scratch or strip your objects).
Soapy water for regular brass maintenance
Very effective for maintaining brass, soapy water is excellent under regular maintenance to remove daily dirt. You probably already have cleaning products on hand. Marseille soap, dishwashing liquid or black soap are indeed all sufficient options for scrubbing dirty utensils in combination with hot water. After cleaning, rinse and dry the surface with another clean, dry cloth. This will limit traces and initiate a summary polishing to restore shine to the brass. For produce a ready-to-use productyou can also dilute 2 to 3 tablespoons of black soap and 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1l of hot water.
White vinegar to clean brass and make it shine
White vinegar cleans and shines brass in a single step. To do this, simply soak a chamois leather with this liquid and then rub to remove oxidation and dirt. You can also polish the brass with a few drops of vinegar on a soft cloth to finish cleaning. For a plus big cleaninguse 1 liter of hot water with 500 ml of white vinegar to soak your object for a few minutes. Next, use the soft side of the sponge sprinkled with coarse salt to gently scrub away stubborn dirt and stains from all copper and brass surfaces. Finish by rinsing well. Last idea: make a paste from flour, fine salt and white vinegar to eliminate verdigris! It’s both harsh and gentle.
Toothpaste: a cleaning ally that brings shine
We don’t think much about it, but toothpaste is excellent for clean and degrease most surfaces of the house, brass included. As a maintenance product in its own right, it will also help to gently polish it to restore its lost shine. Still on a chamois or a clean microfiber cloth, place a dab of toothpaste and rub carefully for a few minutes. Then rinse with clean water and dry carefully.
Cola to suppress oxidation
Cola soda is often used to remove rust on decorative metal objects or pans. However, it can also be used against verdigris which tarnishes and ages brass considerably. Simply give the brass a bath of coke, then scrub the oxidized areas with a soft brush.
Ketchup to clean brass
This sauce is not just good with fries! It can in fact be used to shine silverware and silver jewelry or to clean the burnt bottom of a pan. However, its acidity also makes it possible to clean copper and brass while coming dissolve oxidation stains. Apply it to the surface to be cleaned, leave for a few minutes and rub with the soft part of a sponge. Finish with a good rinse with clean water and careful drying.
Latest tips for cleaning brass…
-The mixture of flour, salt and water is also excellent for scrubbing brass as well as clay stone or lemon sprinkled with coarse salt (lemon juice also fights verdigris and difficult stains!).
-Dilute ½ glass of soda crystals in 1l of hot water and apply with a cloth.
-After a bath in soapy water (15 to 20 minutes) and careful rinsing and drying, shine a chipped or excessively oxidized brass object with a few drops of denatured alcohol on a cloth. This will remove the flaking varnish from the brass, leaving this surface smooth and clean. Note, however, that without its varnish, you will have to clean your object more often to prevent it from tarnishing.