Comments on: How to Clean Brass

By: Colin

Colin — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 05:31:52 +0000

I have two very old jam pans, brass with steel handles. Been in the garage for years. Love to get them shining again. My experience with cleaning brass goes back to my Army day’s.
Anybody have any ideas please.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 26 May 2019 18:28:14 +0000

In reply to sharon. Hi Sharon, just start with a small quantity, and work with it until you get the results you want. If you're not getting the results you want, you may need to use one of the other methods mentioned above. I hope this helps! :)

By: sharon

sharon — Sat, 25 May 2019 00:37:25 +0000

In reply to Carol Huntington. explain please the amount of each and how long it takes. Thanks

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:34:16 +0000

In reply to Carol Huntington. Carol, I'm glad it worked so well for you! :)

By: Carol Huntington

Carol Huntington — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:02:25 +0000

WOW! I used the mix of pickle and hydrogen peroxide … just now… and boy does it work and fast! Thanks so much!

By: Judy Bjorkman

Judy Bjorkman — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:26:16 +0000

I still say, TOOTHPASTE is a handy brass cleaner to use when traveling. I do not suggest that it would be good for daily use. Take along a silver polishing cloth to get a nice bright surface on the jewelry, after the rinsing and drying.
–Judy

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 17:06:17 +0000

DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE! Your piece may look o.k. in the short run, but will quickly re-tarnish and tarnish deeper. It will get progressively harder to clean. Take you pieces to a jewelry store to clean, invest in a small ultrasonic cleaner, or purchase Wrights Silver Polish, Brasso (for brass) or Penny Brite (for copper).

By: Judy Bjorkman

Judy Bjorkman — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:05:08 +0000

If you are traveling, a handy way to clean brass (and other jewelry metal) is to use toothpaste (not the gel kind). Just rub it where needed, then rinse and dry well. Be sure to take an old toothbrush, as well, to scrub toothpaste out of crevices in the jewelry and out from underneath your fingernails.

Rena, I love your newsletter! Thank you always!
–Judy

By: Alice Olsen

Alice Olsen — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:29:10 +0000

Thank you for these ideas. I usually use tarn-x for copper and brass but it sometimes takes the sheen off so I have to polish it. I’ll try these methods and will share with my customers. I love your newsletter.

By: Jessie_Irishman

Jessie_Irishman — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 11:50:09 +0000

I prefer the traditional method of using vinegar and salt for brass cleaning. I must confess that you have simplified the process of cleaning with these easy tips else I have always found it difficult and irksome. Thanks for sharing insight, Glad reading 🙂

By: Nikki Fotheringham

Nikki Fotheringham — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:02:05 +0000

Thanks so much for these natural options. I don’t like using astringent chemical metal polishes so I am keen to try these more natural alternatives.

By: Willi Glenn

Willi Glenn — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 15:57:55 +0000

I’ve found that a baking powder paste cleans most metals quickly and well, but it tends to leach dye so I don’t use it on stones. I’ve never had problems with cleaning metals this way.

I always wax metal before I sell it but wax doesn’t last forever. I’m thinking of cleaning and waxing pieces for free on a yearly or semi-yearly basis as a marketing tool to help get e-mail addresses and reconnect with old customers.

I’ve never considered olive oil to protect metal, but it may be of interest to customers who need a quick fix.

Thanks for the information.