Over time, brass can go from shiny and polished to dull and dirty.
But not to worry, here are seven all-natural ways to clean your brass items and restore them to their original glory.
Brass may not be as common a design choice as it once was, but many homes still use brass to add a touch of elegance. The downside is that, over time, brass pieces lose their shine.
The good news is, there are several all-natural cleaning tips that will have your brass looking like new. Here are seven such methods that are super quick and eco-friendly, too.
You can clean brass naturally with many items found in your cupboard at home, including lemon, salt, tomato sauce and toothpaste. Picture: Caroline McCredie
1. Cleaning brass with tomato sauce
It’s the light acidity of tomato sauce that makes it such an effective cleaner on brass.
Step 1
Apply a good amount of tomato sauce onto a rag.
Step 2
Rigorously rub the brass with the rag spreading the tomato sauce across the entire surface. The sauce will act quickly to remove any dirt.
Step 3
Rinse the brass with warm water.
Did you know you can clean brass with tomato sauce? The light acidity of the sauce works wonders as a cleaning tool. Picture: Caroline McCredie
2. Cleaning brass with toothpaste
Toothpaste isn’t only useful to give you a nice set of pearly whites; it also acts as a great brass cleaner, and all you need is an old toothbrush.
Step 1
Apply a generous amount of toothpaste onto the brass.
Step 2
Then, just as you would brush your teeth, scrub at the brass with a toothbrush until the marks start to lift.
Cleaning brass with toothpaste is an all-natural way to rid the brass item of dirt and grime. Picture: Caroline McCredie
3. Cleaning brass with lemon and salt
Combining lemon juice with salt is another all-natural way to clean brass.
Step 1
Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle salt over brass.
Step 2
Use the cut lemon and rub all over the brass. The salt will act as an abrasive agent, while the citric acid in the lemon will help break down any stains.
Lemon and salt are always game changers in the cleaning space. Picture: Caroline McCredie
4. Cleaning brass with vinegar
Vinegar, beyond being a great natural sanitiser, is a fantastic cleaning agent to use on brass.
Step 1
Place 1 cup of vinegar into a bowl.
Step 2
Add a teaspoon of salt and some flour to thicken the mixture.
Step 3
Apply the vinegar mix to a rag and scrub the brass, wiping thoroughly.
Good as new… these clean brass tumblers have turned out shiny after some solid cleaning. Picture: Caroline McCredie
5. Cleaning brass with Coke
Coke and other soft drinks are highly acidic, making them a good option for cleaning brass.
Step 1
Soak the brass item overnight in a bowl filled with Coke. With several hours to do its work, the Coke will break down any stains.
Step 2
After soaking, use an old rag to polish the brass so it’s as shiny as new.
6. Cleaning brass with baking soda
Baking soda is an all-purpose cleaner that works on nearly every surface, including brass.
Step 1
Combine some water with 1 cup of baking soda, stirring as you go.
Step 2
Once the mixture is about the same texture as toothpaste, simply apply to the brass with a rag.
Step 3
Coat the surface generously and, once done, use a cloth and some elbow grease to give your brass new life.
7. Cleaning brass with eco-friendly soap
Last, but certainly not least, you can use an eco-friendly soap to clean brass. While not as fun or interesting as the other tips, there are many brands around now which make phosphate-free soap that is good for the environment.
Find one at your local supermarket, combine with some water and a rag and, soon enough, your brass will be completely clean.
So there you have it, seven tried-and-true methods to clean brass naturally. Any of these methods should have your brass looking like new, and you can sleep well knowing you’ve done the right thing for the environment.
Article repurposed from 7 easy ways to clean brass naturally at home by Michael Brooke. Author at realestate.com.au.
