How to Clean Brass with 5 Simple Methods

Restore shine to brass with simple, household items

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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Updated on 08/31/23
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 
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Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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copper and brass items

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins - 1 hr, 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $1 to 10

Brass faucets, light fixtures, and decorative items can develop dark spots when they come into contact with oxygen and the oils from our skin. While the tarnish isn't usually corrosive, it dulls the beauty of brass.

Restoring the shine on household items takes just a few simple steps with household products or natural cleaners you probably have on hand.

Before You Begin

Before you start cleaning, determine whether the item that needs cleaning is solid brass or brass plated. To figure out if your item is solid or plated, use a magnet. If the magnet does not stick, the item is solid brass. If the magnet sticks, the piece is brass plated; a base metal coated with a thin layer of brass plating. Take extra caution and limit the use of scrubbing sponges when cleaning because the plating can be worn away easily.

How to Clean and Shine Brass Tarnish

The Spruce / Emilie Dunphy

Warning

Do not use these methods to clean lacquered brass. If the lacquer is in good shape, the metal shouldn't be tarnished. Warm, soapy water should be sufficient to remove dust and grime.

2:05

Watch Now: Easy Ways to Refurbish Hardware

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 2 microfiber cleaning cloths
  • 1 old, soft toothbrush
  • 1 sink or large bucket
  • 1 sponge
  • 1 small bowl

Materials

  • 1 box baking soda
  • 1 bottle distilled white vinegar
  • 1 container table salt
  • 1 bottle dishwashing liquid
  • 1 lemon or bottled lemon juice
  • 1 bottle ketchup
  • 1 tube non-gel toothpaste

Instructions

How to Clean Brass with Baking Soda and Vinegar

  1. Wash the Brass

    Remove dust and grease particles from the brass item before cleaning the tarnish. If the piece can be submerged, submerge it in hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Wash the brass piece with a sponge or soft cloth before rinsing and drying it with a microfiber cloth.

    If the item cannot be submerged, wipe the piece with a sponge dipped in hot, soapy water, then rinse it with a damp cloth, and dry well.

    Washing off brass before cleaning

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  2. Make a Paste

    Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar in a glass bowl to create a paste. It will fizz for a minute. When the fizzing stops, spread the paste on the brass surface with an old toothbrush or cloth.

    vinegar and baking soda
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  3. Rest, Rinse, and Buff

    Let the mixture sit on the brass item for at least half an hour but no more than one hour. Dampen a soft cloth and gently rub the brass to help loosen the tarnish, and rinse well in warm water or wipe away the tarnish with a damp cloth.

    Buff the finish with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. If the brass is heavily tarnished, you may need to repeat the process.

    baking soda and vinegar scrub on tarnished brass
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska  

How to Clean Brass with Lemon Juice and Baking Soda or Salt

  1. Remove Dust and Grime

    Wash the brass with hot soapy water before removing the tarnish. You can either submerge the item completely or use a cloth to wash the brass. Be sure to rinse the item thoroughly and dry it with a towel.

    Rinsing off tarnished brass in warm water

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  2. Prepare Cleaning Materials

    Use lemons or lemon juice to remove tarnish. Slice a lemon in half and dip the cut edges in table salt or baking soda. Or, make a paste of 1 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

    Preparing salt and lemon

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  3. Clean the Brass

    Rub the cut side of the lemon over the surface of the brass. As you clean, reapply salt or baking soda as needed to remove the tarnish. If using a paste, apply it with a cloth or an old toothbrush.

    Let it work for at least 30 minutes before gently scrubbing the brass with a damp sponge. When the tarnish is gone, rinse the piece and buff dry.

    Using a lemon half dipped in salt to clean tarnished brass

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

How to Clean Brass with Soap and Water

  1. Mix the Cleaning Solution

    In a sink or dishpan, mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 gallon of hot water.

  2. Scrub and Rinse

    If the piece can be submerged, submerge it in hot, soapy water. Scrub the brass with an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled nylon scrubbing brush, and rinse well in warm water.

    Buff dry with a microfiber cloth.

    If the item cannot be submerged, wipe the piece with a sponge dipped in hot, soapy water, then rinse it with a damp cloth, and dry well.

How to Clean Brass with Ketchup

Ketchup contains acids that can break apart tarnish on brass. Since the acidic level is lower than lemon juice or vinegar, it can take a bit longer to work.

  1. Spread the Ketchup

    Spread ketchup over the entire surface of the brass and set it aside for 1 hour.

    Scrub, Wash, and Dry

    Use a damp sponge to scrub away the ketchup and tarnish. Wash the brass in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and buff dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

How to Clean Brass with Toothpaste

Toothpaste contains gentle abrasives that help whiten your teeth and can remove tarnish from brass. Use a non-gel toothpaste that does not contain peroxide or other whiteners.

  1. Apply the Toothpaste

    Use an old toothbrush to spread a thin layer of toothpaste over the brass and set it aside for 10 minutes.

  2. Scrub, Rinse, and Buff to a Shine

    Use a damp sponge or cloth to gently scrub the brass and rinse well in warm water. Then, use a microfiber cloth to buff the brass to shine.

How Often Should You Clean Brass?

In general, the more often brass is handled, the quicker it will tarnish. Brass hardware on kitchen cabinets, sinks, or other frequently touched places should be cleaned at least monthly, if not more. Brass jewelry pieces that are rarely worn or decorative brass items that are not commonly handled will usually resist tarnishing for several months to a year. You should dust decorative items weekly to keep them gleaming.

Additional Tips to Keep Brass Tarnish-Free and Shiny

  • Don't touch brass items any more than necessary. The oils in your hands cause brass to tarnish.
  • Dry brass pots and pans as soon as you wash them to prevent spotting and tarnish.
  • Don't put brass kitchenware in the dishwasher. The harsh detergents can damage the finish.
  • Regularly dust decorative brass pieces to prevent tarnish from forming.
FAQ
  • Does WD-40 remove tarnish from brass?

    While other methods are better at removing tarnish, WD-40 will restore a shine to brass. Spray a small amount of WD-40 on a soft, clean cloth and gently buff the brass in a circular motion. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes and then wipe it away with a dry cloth. Do not use WD-40 on brass cookware or cooking utensils.

  • How do you clean badly tarnished brass?

    To remove heavy tarnish, use one of the cleaning methods that include salt or baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar. You need both the gentle abrasive action and the acid. Since the tarnish is thick, it may take several applications to remove the problem one layer at a time.

  • Does vinegar darken brass?

    Any acidic substance can darken brass if left on the surface for too long. Follow the recommended steps and timing for the best results.

Originally written by
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Caring for Metal Objects. Government of Canada.