* A mild dish soap: A small amount of dish soap added to warm water will create a gentle cleaning solution that won't damage your instrument. * Vinegar: White vinegar is acidic and will help remove any dirt or grime that's stuck on the surface of your brass instrument.
Dish soap and warm water is always the safest way to clean a brass instrument. I'd proceed cautiously and don't try anything you are uncomfortable with.
All you need to start is a mild dish soap, like Dawn Platinum Powerwash Free & Clear, and a warm water rinse. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away the soapy water and all the debris, dust, and dirt. If your brass isn't too grimy, this might be all you need for a refresh.
Fill the tub with about 8-10 inches of lukewarm water. Next pour a couple tablespoons of dishwashing soap in the water and mix it up with your hands. The two best brands of soap for cleaning your horn are Palmolive or Joy.
Spray Simple Green Pro HD RTU onto the surface of the instrument, and into any open spaces. Scrub. Use a valve brush or cleaning snake brush to thoroughly scrub the brass inside and out, paying close attention to valve openings and crevices. Rinse.
Soap and water and a combination of natural ingredients like table salt, white vinegar and baking soda can take care of most basic brass cleaning jobs.
For most lacquered brass instruments Windex serves as an excellent cleaner. Silver plated instruments may also be wiped down as described above. Silver polish cloths can be used sparingly but are still abrasive.
Cleaning (for light soils): The use of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) applied with the sponge side of a light-duty, "white-padded" scrubbing sponge with the grain of the door. In the event of tougher scuff marks, flip over sponge and gently agitate with the grain of the metal with the white scrub pad.
After soaking the instrument for a half hour, drain the soapy water and use a cleaning “snake” to brush the inside of all the tubes. Next, scrub the valves. If the valves are still dirty or sticky, soak them in vinegar for an hour. Finally, thoroughly rinse out all parts with warm water and place on a towel to dry.
And whenever you start to see it slightly tarnish (which will vary depending on the piece and how pure the silver is—less sterling tarnishes more quickly), simply give it a light cleaning using a gentle dish soap (like Dawn).
This might surprise you, but yes, you sure can clean brass using just toothpaste.
Regarding neutrality, mild dish soap comes closest. If your dish soap is labeled mild, gentle, or great for hands, chances are its pH level is near 7 (like Palmolive). This mildness makes dish soap perfect for daily cleaning. Note that Dawn is more alkaline, cutting through grease with a pH of 8.7-9.3.
Then wash with warm water and dish soap and let it dry. This method is easy, economical, and effective at cleaning your brass.
Brass instruments can't get hurt by the rain as much as woodwind instruments. After you get home and take your instrument out of the case to dry, why not take the opportunity to give it a proper bath! After the instrument and case have thoroughly dried, grease all slides, oil valves and reassemble instrument.
Ecolab Enzymatic Detergent is suitable for the cleaning of surgical instruments and anestheticutensils. Enzymatic Detergent is safe for use on all aluminum, zinc, nonferrous metals and other delicate materials but it is not for use as a medical device, high level disinfectant or sterilant.
Avoid abrasives
Don't use wire wool in case you scratch the surface and damage your antique brass. Similarly, avoid getting any abrasive powder or liquid cleaner in fine details as it can leave a white residue that can be hard to remove.
99% isopropyl alcohol is used: To clean surfaces, both alone and as a component of a general-purpose cleaner, or as a solvent. 99% isopropyl alcohol has the benefit of being non-corrosive to metals or plastics, so it can be used widely, on all surfaces, and won't leave smears, even on glass or screens.
* A mild dish soap: A small amount of dish soap added to warm water will create a gentle cleaning solution that won't damage your instrument. * Vinegar: White vinegar is acidic and will help remove any dirt or grime that's stuck on the surface of your brass instrument.
There are several homemade cleaners you can make for brass, including a paste of lemon juice and baking soda or a paste of white vinegar, flour, and salt. You also can sprinkle salt on a lemon slice and then rub it over the brass.
Never use Vaseline for anything on your brass instrument because Vaseline is corrosive to brass. You can clean the tuning slide receivers by taking a clean cloth and inserting it into the slot of a trumpet cleaning rod.
(Cola or peroxide? Not proven or recommended for household brass; those methods are sometimes suggested for firearm cleaning.)
First, wash your brass item with soap and dry with a paper towel. Then squeeze a bit of the toothpaste onto a small piece of soft cloth. Polish brass rubbing toothpaste on the entire surface of the item. When done, clean and dry with a piece of paper towel or soft cloth.