How to Clean Brassware and Brass

This article will demonstrate how you can clean brass that has a lacquer protective coating and raw brass that often tarnishes.

Raw brass is composed of zinc and copper alloy that when exposed to the air oxidizes. In other words it begins to tarnish the moment you're done polishing. Lacquered brass as a result is becoming much more popular since it doesn't require as much elbow grease to clean and the shine lasts longer.

How to Clean Lacquered Brass

1. Wash the surface of the brass with a soft non-abrasive sponge and some mild soapy water. Follow by rinsing with fresh water and drying with a soft cloth.

2. You can bring the surface of the brass to a shine with a chamois or a clean cloth baby diaper. Paper towels and towels should be avoided as their abrasive nature can leave scratches on the surface of the brass.

How to Remove Tarnish Stains from Raw BrassA specialized metal cleaner like Brasso contains ingredients to not only remove the tarnish stain but oils to protect the newly polished brass from oxidizing with exposure to the air. Follow the directions on the package.

NO commercial cleaner ?

No problem try one of our 2 home cleaning methods below:


Method 1 - Lemon Polish

What you will need:

• Lemon
• Salt
• A soft cloth
• Mineral oil, Lemon oil or olive oil

1. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle the cut half with salt.
2. Squeeze some lemon juice onto the brass surface you are going to clean.
3. Follow by wiping clean with a soft cloth and buffing with a fresh dry cloth.
4. Once clean follow with mineral oil to help protect it against tarnish.

Method 2 - Mild Abrasive Polish

• Bicarbonate of Soda and water combined to make a paste or toothpaste
• A soft cloth
• Mineral oil, Lemon oil or olive oil

1. Apply the paste to the surface with a soft cloth and rub.
2. Follow by wiping clean with a soft clean cloth and buffing with a fresh dry cloth.
3. Once clean follow with mineral oil to help protect it against tarnish.