Tomatoes contain an acid that helps to remove tarnish on brass and other metals; that's why applying a tomato-based product can work wonders on brass. Ketchup, tomato paste, and tomato sauce all work equally well. Apply a layer to your brass and leave it on for an hour. Then wash with warm water and dish soap.
What chemical to clean brass? Vinegar, citric acid (lemons, lemon-lime koolaid), CLR--any acid will do the job and the warmer the better. Bath it on with 0000 steel wool and lightly scrub.
Mix equal parts of table salt, and lemon juice until the salt is dissolved, or take half of the lemon and coat it with salt. Now rub it on sink ,shower Fixture ,kitchen faucets or bathroom faucets of the tarnished brass for 10 min until it is clean, then rinse with warm water.
Salt and vinegar, unless it's not solid brass.
To keep antique brass and copper items in best condition it is a good idea to hand polish your pieces regularly with a proprietary brand of brass and copper polish. Make sure to always use soft materials for polishing. BADA recommends cotton wool to apply polish and a soft yellow duster to remove.
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.
Is there a way to clean old brass without removing the patina? To preserve the patina, use mild soap and water and wipe the brass gently. Don't use abrasive or acid-based cleaning products because they'll remove the patina.
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.
Vinegar, Salt and Flour
Add flour and mix to a paste. Rub the mixture over your brass. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse.
(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.
This might surprise you, but yes, you sure can clean brass using just toothpaste.
You may not notice it, but it can dissolve brass itself, depending on its potency. So, when you polish brass with vinegar, be careful not to scrub or buff too hard. You don't want to damage the surface of your brass item, especially if it's just a cladding to a different material.
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.
One of the most effective DIY brass cleaning solutions you can make is a paste with three ingredients: vinegar, salt, and flour, says Sean Parry, a cleaning expert at the house cleaning company Neat Services.
For really tough jobs, sprinkle only the baking soda on your cloth and rub it all over your tarnished brass or copper. Once you're blinded by the results, remember to rinse your copper or brass piece and wipe it dry with a Bounty paper towel.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash:
Glass with UV coatings or other specialty treatments. Painted, varnished, or coated surfaces, including automobile paint. Precious metals, copper, or sterling silver. Leather, upholstery, or fabrics that won't later be rinsed.
By coating the freshly polished metal with lacquer, you should be able to keep shiny brass from tarnishing — until the lacquer wears off, at which time you can strip what remains and start over.
You can also use vinegar and salt to get that old darkened brass look. We like the technique described by Caro Davies, a UK-based social media expert who used to be an art director. Caro recommends mixing a pinch of salt into a container that has a lid with vinegar until the salt dissolves.
What are brass and bronze? Brass and bronze are both metal alloys, which means they are a combination of two or more different metals. Brass is composed of copper and zinc, whereas bronze is made up of copper and tin, sometimes with other elements such as phosphorus or aluminium added in.