Chemicals To Avoid Using When Cleaning Brass Hardware

Whether its hardware or decor, using brass in your home can offer the space a sophisticated, timeless feel. However, brass is one of those materials that needs to be carefully cleaned with select products. To prevent damage, like scratches or discoloring, you should avoid using bleach, ammonia, and cleaners with these chemicals on your brass items. 

Although bleach is a popular home cleaner, it's corrosive and shouldn't be used on various metals including brass, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum. Brass is especially sensitive to the chemical solution, so even diluting the bleach won't make it safe to use. If you do apply the chloride-cleaner to brass, you run the risk of tarnishing the metal, which will result in an undesirable color change. The same is true if you use ammonia, as it is similarly corrosive and may leave behind blue stains or dissolve the lacquered coating. 

When cleaning brass, also avoid steel wool and abrasive scrubbing pads. They may be tempting to use if your items are super grimy, but brass is a very soft metal that can be scratched easily. This is especially true if you're working with solid brass, as it is more susceptible to dents or scrapes than brass-plated items, which have a different base metal, typically steel or zinc. You can easily test which type you have with a magnet. Brass is non-magnetic, so if the magnet sticks that means you're dealing with a brass-plated item.

To properly clean brass without causing damage, you also have to determine if your items are coated or lacquered. If the pieces are shiny, you can generally assume that they have a clear lacquer, as this is used to protect the metal while making it more visually appealing. For these items, gently clean them with a soft wash cloth, warm water, and a little bit of dish soap. Then, dry the metal thoroughly. You can also add a thin layer of natural wax to further protect the pieces against small scratches, as minor scrapes can also cause your brass to discolor or dull.

Otherwise, if there's no coating, you can safely clean brass pieces with WD-40. Simply spray it onto your item and then, with a soft cloth, use gentle circular motions to rub it into the brass. Afterwards, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off and drying. In addition, you can successfully clean brass with household products, like ketchup or tomato sauce. It may sound funny but the small amount of acid present in tomatoes can break down dirt and residue. Just place your item in a bowl filled with tomato sauce, paste, or ketchup, and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Then, rinse with warm water, and be sure to completely dry the metal. Some have also found success using this method with plain yogurt instead of a tomato-based product.