This might surprise you, but yes, you sure can clean brass using just toothpaste. All you need to do is to use reusable paper towels like a clean cloth to put a small amount of toothpaste onto your brass. Let the toothpaste sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with cold water.
Apply Toothpaste
Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to your brass object. Let it rest for a few minutes.
Brasso and Bar Keepers Friend are two excellent brass cleaners used to polish up and clean the brass to a nice shine. I tend to prefer Bar Keepers Friend because it comes in a powder form, and I can make a thicker paste.
We like to use WD-40. It is not only very easy to use, but is also quick and very effective. All you need to do is coat the gold and brass lamp with a layer of WD-40, which is a great to clean brass and let it sit for about 15-30 minutes. Take a clean cloth and rub the lamp in circular motions drying and buffing it up.
Of course, if you happen to have a professional brass polish, then any tarnish will buff right away. If you don't? Sailors are known for their resourcefulness and, in a pinch, can whip-up a paste with lemon and salt or baking soda. The key is a bit of acid and a gentle abrasion.
(Cola or peroxide? Not proven or recommended for household brass; those methods are sometimes suggested for firearm cleaning.)
Cleaning brass: the basics
A number of household products can be used to help you maintain brass including everything from basic soapy water to Coca-Cola or white vinegar.
Dezincification can also occur when brass is exposed to solutions that contain chloride ions, such as seawater (Moss 1969). One example is dezincification of brass doors and brass kickplates that had been exposed to de-icing salt.
This might surprise you, but yes, you sure can clean brass using just toothpaste.
Real brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and if it's not lacquered, will tarnish with exposure to air over time.
Chemical Reaction: The combination of the acid in vinegar and the abrasive action of salt enhances the cleaning process. The acid reacts with the tarnish while the salt helps to scrub it away, revealing the shiny brass underneath. Heat for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a container for your parts.
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.
Put the item you want to clean on the foil. The metals need to be in direct contact for this to work. For larger items, like this handle, pack the foil around it, so you get a larger contact surface. Mix baking soda and salt with hot water and cover everything with it.
All you need to start is a mild dish soap, like Dawn Platinum Powerwash Free & Clear, and a warm water rinse.
Similarly, avoid using steel wool or metal bristled brushes as they will leave scratches on the surface of the lamp. A thin coating of mineral oil, linseed oil, or WD-40 Multi-Use can be effective in preventing tarnishing. Try to avoid touching brass items too much.
Whether you're doing a weekly wipe down of your brass doorknobs or bringing a 100-year-old brass bed frame back to life, BKF is your answer. It's easy to use, safe, and it works. BKF is the answer to how to clean brass.