--- title: "How to Clean Brass" description: "With a bit of know-how and some elbow grease, you can learn how to clean brass with products that may already be in your kitchen cabinets." date: "2013-03-07" modified: "2026-01-08" authors: - name: "Donna Boyle Schwartz" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/donna-boyle-schwartz.md" - name: "Kelly Weimert" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kelly-weimert.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-brass/" categories: - "Cleaning & Organizing" - "DIY" tags: - "cleaning" - "How To" - "how-to" - "News" --- # How to Clean Brass ![Tube of toothpaste squeezed onto toothbrush over a tarnished brass candlestick.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Brass brings a warm, burnished glow to household items, ranging from switch plates and door knockers to bathroom fixtures, furniture, and even kitchen utensils. A strong and corrosion-resistant metal, brass is a relatively inexpensive alloy made from zinc and copper. Its bright golden color has made the material incredibly popular in home design. Like any metal, brass can become dull and tarnished over time. The good news is that all it takes is a few pantry ingredients and some elbow grease to restore its shine. ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Microfiber cloth]() - [Lemon juice]() - [Metal polish]() - [Toothpaste]() - [Baking soda]() - [Cream of tartar]() - [Soap]() - [Toothbrush]() - [Ketchup, tomato sauce, or tomato paste]() - [Vinegar]() - [Salt]() - [Flour]() ## Project Overview ***Working Time**: 1 hour* ***Total Time**: 1 hour* ***Skill Level**: Beginner* ***Estimated Cost**: $0 to $10* ## Before You Begin Before you start cleaning brass, make sure that the item you are cleaning is, in fact, brass. Metals like steel, zinc, and [cast iron]() are often brass-plated and look like solid brass, but aren't. If you attempt to clean these pieces brass-cleaning methods, you can damage them. The easiest way to determine if the piece you have is the real deal? Place a small magnet on the metal. Magnets will not stick to solid brass. If the magnet sticks, the piece is brass-plated. ## 7 Effective Ways to Clean Brass There are multiple ways to clean solid brass using either homemade brass cleaners or commercial cleaners. The best method for your situation depends on just how much dust, dirt, or tarnish is on the brass piece. Here are a few tips and techniques to try, beginning with the simplest. ### 1. Microfiber Cloth ![Woman rubs freshly clean brass pitcher with a blue microfiber cloth.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Start cleaning brass with hot soapy water and a microfiber cleaning cloth. [Microfiber cloths]() comprise many tiny fibers that have a knack for capturing and removing small particles. They’re also incredibly soft and gentle, so they won’t scratch your brass piece. Dip the cloth in the water and give all surfaces a once-over. After that, use a clean toothbrush to tackle any crevices. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. ### 2. Ketchup ![Woman squirts ketchup onto a tarnished brass pitcher.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* For tougher brass stains, try ketchup. Ketchup contains acidic ingredients, like tomatoes and vinegar, which react with brass tarnish and help to dissolve it. You can also use tomato paste and tomato sauce for the same reason. Simply rub a thin coat of ketchup on the brass, let it sit for an hour or so to work its magic, and then clean the piece with a microfiber cloth and hot soapy water. ### 3. Vinegar, Salt, and Flour Paste ![Woman combines vinegar, salt, and flour in a glass bowl, a tarnished brass pitcher nearby.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Another way to clean brass is to make a paste of ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon flour, and ½ cup white [vinegar](). Vinegar’s acidity works to dissolve tarnish, while the salt’s gentle abrasive texture can remove tough stains. Meanwhile, the flour holds it all together to form a paste that’s easy to work with. Simply apply the paste to the brass and let it sit for up to an hour. Rinse it with warm water and buff dry with a microfiber cloth. ### 4. Lemon Juice and Salt ![Woman rubs a mixture of lemon juice and salt onto a tarnished brass pitcher.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Another effective, natural cleaning combination for brass is salt and lemon. Lemon’s acidity combined with salt’s gentle abrasive texture work to dissolve and then scrub away dirt and tarnish. Here’s how to do it: - Cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds. - Coat the cut half of the lemon with a thin layer of table salt before rubbing the lemon over the brass, re-coating the lemon with salt as needed. - After covering the entire surface, let the solution sit for up to an hour. - Rinse the item with warm water then dry and buff with a microfiber cloth. ### 5. Commercial Metal Polish ![Person wearing yellow rubber gloves applies metal cream to tarnished brass pitcher.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* If DIY and natural methods fail to clean a brass item, you might turn to commercial metal cleaners and polishes like [Brasso](), [Bar Keepers Friend](), [Nevr-Dull](), [Cameo](), [Hagerty]() and [Blitz](). You can also check out our roundup of the [best brass cleaners](). Just beware that some of these cleaners and brass polishers contain potentially hazardous ingredients such as oxalic acid, a corrosive agent that can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea from inhaling fumes, along with more severe nervous system effects. Others can irritate skin or cause serious eye damage if they get into the eyes. Instructions for how to polish brass with these metal cleaners will vary by product, but they typically involve applying the cleaner to the brass, letting it sit for up to an hour, then wiping and rinsing it away. Be sure to follow all safety instructions listed on metal cleaning products, such as wearing gloves or working in well-ventilated spaces. Also check cautions for storage to prevent combustion or accidental poisoning of children. ### 6. Toothpaste ![Woman uses toothbrush to apply white toothpaste to a tarnished brass candlestick.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Toothpaste contains mild abrasives, like baking soda or hydrated silica, which can help break down tough brass stains. For this method, all you have to do is squirt a small amount of toothpaste onto a microfiber cloth and then wipe the cloth along all surfaces. You can follow up with a toothbrush to scrub small crevices, then rinse with warm soapy water. ### 7. Lemon and Baking Soda or Cream of Tartar ![Woman applies mixture of salt and baking soda to a tarnished brass pitcher.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Like toothpaste, [baking soda]() and cream of tartar powder are mild abrasives that can help tackle stubborn brass stains. You can use either one for this method. To start, measure 1 teaspoon of either baking soda or cream of tartar and combine it with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix it up until it forms a paste. Use a microfiber cloth to apply the paste on all surfaces before rinsing with warm soapy water. ## How to Keep Brass Looking Like New ![Woman rubs mineral oil on a clean brass pitcher.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* To keep your brass looking like new, bear in mind the following tips. - Avoid using highly abrasive scrubbing cloths, metal-bristle brushes, or [steel wool](); these will scratch the surface of the brass. - To prevent tarnish, apply a thin coat of linseed oil or mineral oil to clean brass with a microfiber cloth. - Remember that many brass objects are protected with a lacquer finish, which should be cleaned only with hot soapy water. If these pieces are heavily tarnished, you’ll need to remove the lacquer with a paint or [varnish remover](). Then clean and polish the brass using one of the techniques above and re-lacquer the piece. - Avoid touching brass items as much as possible; oils in your skin can hasten tarnishing. ## Final Thoughts Periodically cleaning and polishing your brass with a microfiber cloth will help to maintain its luster. But when tarnish and stains do inevitably appear, you probably already have the products you need to clean it. Once your brass looks like new again, you can learn about other metal cleaning methods, like [how to polish silver](). ## FAQs ## Author Donna Boyle Schwartz is an avid writer with years of experience covering the home and garden beat in addition to out-of-home topics such as sports and local events. These days, she researches and writes editorial and advertising features on a vast range of home-related topics, including housewares, furniture, home fashions, flooring, remodeling, construction, antiques, art, garden, collectibles, and color/design trends.