Brass is a common metal used in cooking, jewelry, musical instruments (brass band, anyone?), and ornamental home goods.
It is made from a combination of zinc and copper. Many of your doorknobs may be Brass if your house is of a certain age.
Brass has a long and illustrious history in our society, and it is both traditional and scientifically significant.
We all know that Brass is a zinc-copper alloy, and people worldwide who believe in God’s existence and worship utilize exclusively copper utensils in their spiritual duties.
It also has an extensive list of scientific advantages; the most crucial is that drinking water from copper containers is one of the healthiest habits. It absorbs all chemicals, pathogens, and bacteria to make it sober.
Brass utensils are used for various purposes, including cooking, water storage, grocery storage, and puja items.
When these utensils are used, they encourage spirituality, purity, and contentment. This alloy is quite popular because of its strength, durability, beauty, elegance, and corrosion resistance.
We all love Brass, but it’s a different story keeping them gleaming like new. It has excellent chemical and physical qualities and feels fantastic in your palms.
Not only that, but they provide your home with an attractive appearance. As a result, it’s critical to keep your Brass utensils clean and free of debris.
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Cleaning Lacquered Brass and Brass-Plated Items
Brass, like other metals from which it is produced, tarnishes quickly. What can be the most functional method for cleaning Brass?
To begin, decide whether or not your object is constructed of Brass. Attach a magnet to your object. If it sticks, the item is most likely brass-plated rather than Brass.
To clean brass-plated goods, use just water and a light detergent; anything more abrasive could damage the coating.
If you have tarnished or dirty Brass that requires cleaning, the method you use depends on whether the Brass is lacquered or coated with a protective glossy surface – or non-lacquered.
Cleaning Lacquered Brass is as simple as wiping it down with a moist towel but for non-lacquered you might need a assistance.
Cleaning Non-Lacquered Brass
Cleaning non-lacquered Brass takes a little more effort. Though chemical brass cleaners are available, try cleaning Brass using readily available natural materials.
1. Boiling water with tamarind and vinegar
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add tamarind paste and vinegar. You can use an absorbent towel to clean greasy goods before submerging them in boiling water.
The quantity of grease and oils on the item determines the duration, and it is advised that they be checked at regular intervals.
Remove the piece and wash it with mild dish soap if any grease remains. You can rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth. Cleaning lamps using this method is quite effective.
2. Cleaning agents from nature, Vinegar/lime, and salt technique
The most straightforward way to clean kitchen items organically is with vinegar/lime and salt. Vinegar removes the outer layer, while salt is a dissolvable abrasive, removing the filth.
You can pour some vinegar on the surface and season it with salt. Scrub gently with a kitchen scrubber.
Rinse generously and pat dry with a soft fabric. For flat surfaces and kitchenware, this approach is ideal.
Tamarind pulp and dishwashing powder/liquid: Soak tamarind for a couple of hours in warm water, then muddle it to a pulp.
Leave a few fibers in the pulp and scrape the pieces clean with them. Scrub the residue off with warm or room temperature water once it has been cleansed.
3. Vinegar or lemon juice with flour
Flour may be an unusual cleaning component, but it is mildly abrasive. Flour also helps to keep the cleaning ingredients in place and ensures a consistent clean.
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. Squeeze a lemon into a basin and combine it with a few spoons of baking soda for another natural way to clean your brass utensil.
It will fizz at first, then calm down in the end. Use your careful hands to apply the paste to your brass utensil.
After you’ve finished, rinse and dry the silverware. Finally, you will see that the silver is as gleaming as brand new.
4. Natural Scrubbing Agents
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring fine abrasive powder found in nature. You can find this powder at gardening stores and online for a reasonable price. Make sure the product is food-grade and free of chemical additives.
Begin by applying a diatomaceous earth and water paste to the item. Allow a few minutes to pass before cleaning it away with a soft sponge or towel.
This approach requires a lot of elbow grease, and if not done correctly, it might create scratches on the object instead of uniformly polished marks.
5. Ketchup
This kitchen staple comes highly recommended by a housekeeping teacher who has been writing the syndicated “Hints from Heloise” column for over a decade.
Using a clean cloth, squirt some ketchup on the tarnished Brass. After that, wipe it down with a damp cloth and buff it dry.
6. Soap or mild detergent
Cleaning antiques with soap and water is the most effective technique to keep their patina.
Natural patinas are protective by nature, and they always benefit the object by reducing contact with the underlying surface.
Abrasive-free dish soaps work best and are scrubbed with soft rags or sponges. A warm water rinse can remove any remaining soap and thorough drying.
7. Non-gel toothpaste
Begin by scrubbing your brass utensil with soap and a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Then, using a tiny piece of cloth and a bit of toothpaste, rub the surface of the brass utensil, then clean and dry the surface with a towel or piece of fabric to restore the tarnished brass utensil’s attractiveness.
More Brass Cleaning and Polishing Tips
- If you want to use a commercial brass cleaner, make sure it’s designed explicitly for Brass. Brasso metal polish ($8), Bar Keepers Friend cleanser ($8), and Mr. Metal liquid polish ($14) are three tried-and-true brass cleaners that is available on Amazon and at a variety of other retailers.
- Before polishing, wash the item with mild soap and water to remove any dust or other contaminants. Then, carefully follow the manufacturer’s directions to clean and polish your brass item.
- Brass polishes usually leave a protective coating on the surface to prevent tarnish and discoloration in the future.
- To keep your Brass looking glossy and clean, avoid handling it too much (oils on your skin can speed up tarnishing) and wipe or polish it with a soft cloth to prevent scratches on the surface. Your Brass can keep its lustrous shine for years if you take care of it regularly.
Cleaning routine after cleaning
To remove any remaining moisture, thoroughly dry all cleaned pieces and leave them in the sun. Wipe the surface down once more to eliminate dust and stray fibers.
To prevent tarnishing, apply a skinny protective wax layer to decorative objects. Buff this wax thoroughly for a uniform and thin application. It would be better if you did not use waxed equipment and utensils.
Cleaning metal products appears to be difficult, but it isn’t. All you require is a little practice, and once you figure out what works best for you, the pattern will become second nature.
Additional Suggestions
When should you leave your brass object to tarnish? If the Brass is antique, take it to a professional appraiser before cleaning it.
If you damage the item’s natural finish, the tarnish could add value or detract from it.
And what if you find out that what you believed was Brass is brass-plated?
It’s reassuring to know that it’s easier to clean – and that it can still seem as gleaming as the real thing.
(Last Updated on April 17, 2022 by Sadrish Dabadi)
