TOP 14 remedies to clean brass at home
Brass is used to make a wide variety of household items, including kitchen utensils and decorative items. Periodic cleaning helps preserve the shine and decorative characteristics of the objects. There are several options for cleaning brass, and depending on the condition of the products, you need to choose the appropriate method.
Rules for caring for your alloy at home
Before you start cleaning your product, it's important to make sure it's precision-crafted from brass.Many objects in appearance and tactile feel appear to be made of brass, but are made of similar metals. To check, you have to attach a magnet to the surface, and if it doesn't hold, it's brass.
If the item has started to fade over time, there is no need to clean it. Darkening does not always mean that the top layer has begun to oxidize, and such an external change has its own appeal.
To protect the product without a long cleaning, just cover it with a polishing paste and wipe it lightly.
Folk remedies
In most situations, to restore the luster of brass products, it is enough to use folk methods. Improvised tools allow you to clean things without special costs, regardless of their shape and size.
oxalic acid
A simple detergent is suitable for processing brass, one of the ingredients of which is oxalic acid. The substance should be applied to a sponge, carefully treat the brass surface with it and wait for the reaction to appear. From the action of the agent with the acid, a small plaque will begin to form, which can be easily washed off under water pressure with a brush. After washing off the product, you need to sprinkle soda on it, after 20-30 minutes wash it off again and rub it until it shines.
If necessary, deep cleaning should be carried out with a mixture of oxalic acid and warm water, observing the proportions of 200 g per 10 liters. An acid solution is prepared in a deep container, a contaminated object is placed inside, darkened and washed. This method is suitable for treating stubborn stains caused by oxidation.
Acetone
Simple acetone also allows the brass alloy to return to its original appearance. Acetone is suitable for cleaning in its pure form or in the composition of a varnish remover. Cotton or a soft sponge is abundantly moistened in the liquid and, exerting force, rub the stains on the product. You can use a similar method to clean copper items.
Toothpaste
A common popular technique is the use of abrasive cleaning agents, including toothpaste.After squeezing a small amount of paste from the tube onto a toothbrush or cloth, rub dull areas on the upholstery until the stains are completely removed. To achieve an effective result, you must first wash the brass product with soapy water to remove stains that have appeared for other reasons (old grease, dirt, adherent dust).
The vinegar
Undiluted vinegar can only be used to remove fresh stains. Vinegar is heated on the stove and rubbed with brass. To clean a product with old stains, dilute half a glass of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt in 2-3 liters of water. This mixture is brought to a boil. When the solution boils, an object is placed inside and boiled for 3-4 hours, periodically adding evaporated water. After a long boil, all stains will be washed off, and it remains only to rub the surface to restore shine by polishing.
lemon acid
Citric acid granules are sprinkled on the brass coating and rubbed vigorously into the contaminated areas. You can also make a cleanser with half a lemon and a pinch of salt. The lemon is carefully coated in salt and smeared with blackening on the product. This method is suitable for removing recent and old oxidations.
Emery
Sandpaper is used to clean large objects that contain a large amount of oxides. For example, you can sand a brass basin or a fireplace grate. It is important to take into account that after rubbing with sandpaper, the product will lose its original shine. Therefore, you should resort to the technique for items that do not require special handling.Brass jewelry, decorative objects and rare objects are cleaned by other means.
Soapy water
Recently formed oxide stains can be removed with soapy water. It is recommended to use a laundry soap that effectively cleans the brass surface. You can rub with soapy water with a soft cloth or sponge.
For more convenient cleaning, you can fill the container or sink with warm water, dissolve the soap in it, and immerse the item in the liquid for a few minutes.
After soaking, the brass is rinsed with clean water, wiped and polished to restore its original shine.
Salt
You can clean brass with fine salt, which is mixed with skimmed cream. The mixture is applied to the oxidized areas and rubbed. For the treatment of old stains, it is recommended to pre-soak the mixture for one hour.
Make sure the salt is dissolved before you start cleaning, otherwise fine particles can destroy the surface.
Vinegar dough
With the use of vinegar, a common method of treatment with sour dough. It is suitable for use on products containing copper. The method is as follows:
- Mix 1 cup flour and 0.5 cup hot liquid and vinegar.
- Oxidized places are covered with the formed paste with a thick consistency and left to dry.
- After the paste dries, it is carefully torn off the surface and the product is polished with a soft cloth.
As an added measure, you can buff the item with a polish. This will help restore the shine to the product.
Special cleaning products
In addition to folk remedies, you can use substances based on a concentrated acid solution. These products are effective in treating old rust stains and cleaning large items.
"Business"
The "Delu" acid agent removes old oxidation and stains from the surface of the alloy. When using special equipment, you must wear a respirator and rubber gloves for safety.
"Metal"
"Metalin" cleaner removes oxides, oil and grease stains, fingerprints and mineral deposits from the brass surface. When using the tool, you should consider the following recommendations:
- Use a solution with a concentration of no more than 20% and dilute it with warm water.
- Treat with a soft sponge, cloth, brush or liquid immersion. Soak for 1-2 minutes.
- Check the reaction of the brass to the substance in an inconspicuous area before cleaning.
- After the procedure is completed, rinse the product with water and dry.
How to clean a samovar
Cleaning the samovar is carried out according to the standard scheme. To remove stains in hard-to-reach areas, you can use a toothbrush or a fine brush.
How to change varnish
The lacquer coating of the products protects against oxidation and maintains a beautiful appearance. If the layer is damaged, re-varnishing is necessary. Remaining varnish can be removed under water pressure. Then it remains to wipe off the product and apply a new layer.
How to Remove Light Tarnish
There are several remedies for minor tarnish. All options are available and easy to use.
Toothpaste
Rubbing with toothpaste effectively restores the shine of the coating. The paste contains components that can remove tarnish from brass.
Yogurt
The yogurt is applied to the tarnished places and waits for it to dry. Then the product is washed off and the surface is thoroughly wiped.
Lime and soda
The combination of lime and baking soda helps fight oxidation of the brass surface. To clean the product, follow these steps:
- dilute 60 g of baking soda in 50 ml of water;
- apply the resulting mixture with a sponge and leave for 20 minutes;
- cut the lime in half and treat the dull areas with one part;
- wait 40 minutes, wash the product with lukewarm water and wipe dry.
If necessary, repeat the steps until the desired effect.