Read this before you throw away your old jewelry-these tips will make it look like new.
Unique, fashionable, durable and affordable, brass jewelry is popular around the world. But maintaining the luster of brass jewelry can be a problem. Luckily, we are here to tell you how to clean brass jewelry at home. Whether it has become dull, gotten scratches, or dirt and grime has accumulated in the corners, we can help you take care of it all! Read on to learn how to polish and clean your brass jewelry and make it shine like new. Scroll down to learn more!
Simple and effective ways to clean brass jewelry
1. Ketchup
Ordinary ketchup will restore the luster of most brass items.
- Wear rubber gloves and an apron to avoid spilling ketchup while cleaning.
- Use a paper towel to absorb as much of the ketchup as possible from one side of the item.
- Turn the item over and absorb the ketchup on the other side.
- You will see the results immediately!
- You can also leave the ketchup on for 4-6 minutes if your piece is very tarnished.
- Wipe off any excess ketchup and rinse with warm water.
- Leave your jewelry to dry overnight so it does not get dirty when you wear it.
2. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a great brass cleaner and does not require much time and effort to see the results.
- Coat your brass jewelry with regular white toothpaste and gently scrub with a brush.
- Continue until there is no more dirt or grime.
- Rinse the jewelry and wipe with a soft, clean cloth to see your brass items shine.
Note: Because toothpaste is mildly abrasive, use this method only for occasional cleaning to avoid scratches.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can be used to clean both red and yellow brass jewelry.
- For intricate jewelry with multiple pieces, soak the entire item in a glass bowl filled with lemon juice.
- Otherwise, soak cotton swabs in fresh lemon juice and rub them against the jewelry for five minutes.
- Rinse the jewelry thoroughly and dry it with a clean cloth until it shines.
- A toothbrush can also be used to clean hard-to-reach places and remove any excess dirt or grime quickly.
4. Baking Soda
To make your brass jewelry look new, clean it with a mixture of baking soda, salt, and water. This natural cleaning method is simple and will keep the shine of your brass pieces intact while also retaining some patina for added charm. The baking soda is slightly abrasive but will not scratch the metal or damage its color.
- First, mix a small amount of salt and baking soda with water in a bowl to create a paste.
- Then, apply the paste to your brass jewelry and rub gently with a soft cloth.
- Rinse the jewelry with water and dry it thoroughly.
- Scrub the jewelry with the cleaning paste for approximately five minutes, then rinse it with warm water.
- This should restore the brass jewelry piece to its original shine.
- An old toothbrush can be used for harder-to-reach areas of the jewelry, but be careful not to scratch it.
Notes: You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to remove heavy tarnish from your brass jewelry in just 30 minutes.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar has long been a popular household cleaner and can also be used to clean brass jewelry. It is important to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation if the vinegar splashes onto your hands or wrists.
- To achieve sparkling results, submerge your jewelry in a bowl of apple cider vinegar for several hours or overnight.
- Adding salt can enhance the cleaning process, but be sure to rinse the jewelry thoroughly afterwards.
- Remove your jewelry from the solution and wipe away any remaining vinegar with a clean cloth.
- Be sure to rinse your pieces before wearing them again.
Notes: For brass jewelry, it is recommended to use distilled white vinegar due to its slightly lower concentration of acetic acid, which is less likely to cause damage.
6. Clean Brass Jewelry Without Removing Patina
Brass may tarnish over time, resulting in a greenish layer of corrosion called patina. However, many people appreciate this patina since it adds color and elegance to jewelry.
To retain the patina, clean the jewelry with soap and warm water to remove dirt, grime, and buildup without removing the patina.
Instead of using a polishing cloth, gently wipe off the patina with a soft cloth. Ensure your jewelry is fully dry to avoid water stains.
The following section provides measures to clean and polish your brass jewelry to maintain its shine, beauty, and prevent tarnishing. Please scroll down for more information.
7. Warm Soapy Water
Cleaning brass jewelry with warm soapy water is a simple and effective method for restoring its shine. This method removes dirt and grime, leaving your brass jewelry looking clean and polished. Follow the steps below to use this method:
- Fill a clean container with warm water and add a few tablespoons
of liquid dish soap. - Soak your brass jewelry briefly in the solution and use a microfiber cloth or toothbrush to scrub away any stains.
- For stubborn stains, manual scrubbing may be necessary.
- Remove the brass from the soapy water, rinse it thoroughly,
- Dry it with a clean cloth.
How to Care for Brass Jewelry
- It is important to avoid using abrasive commercial cleaners and polishes as they can damage the protective coating or golden sheen, leaving the jewelry looking dull.
- Instead, use a polishing cloth only for plain, undecorated pieces. If the jewelry has engravings, etchings, or paint, avoid using the cloth as the abrasive surface can rub off anything that is not polished gold or silver.
- For hard-to-reach corners, use a toothbrush to clean. Any small, stiff bristles will suffice as long as they do not leave stray hairs on your jewelry.
- Warm water is sufficient to clean your cast brass jewelry. After scrubbing, lay them flat on a towel and let them dry overnight before polishing to reduce spots.
- Now, let’s discuss some at-home hacks to prevent tarnishing on your brass jewelry.
Preventing Tarnish on Brass Jewelry
- To maintain the shine of your brass jewelry, store it in a clean and dry place, especially if you don’t wear it often.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaning methods as they can strip the patina and cause dark green or black patches.
- After cleaning, dry your jewelry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.
- Also, wipe away any excess cleaning solution to prevent scratching.
- To prevent tarnishing of your jewelry, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning.
- Instead, use a good quality polish and gently rub it over the metal until it shines.
- It is recommended to repeat this process only when there is visible tarnish, as polishing your jewelry too often will not yield any results.
- Additionally, it is advisable to avoid wearing brass jewelry while swimming or showering due to the strength of acidic and alkaline solutions. To prevent metal oxidization and dark patches, avoid contact with harsh chemicals such as perfume, household cleaners, makeup remover, or hairspray.
Additionally, do not let your brass jewelry rub against other items as it can lead to scratches. When storing for an extended period, use felt pads between each piece to prevent scratching.
These simple and efficient methods for cleaning brass jewelry at home will help maintain its shine for years. There are no strict rules for caring for brass jewelry – just use common sense and safe methods.
Avoid getting water on the metal or scrubbing too hard. Also, make sure not to wear your brass jewelry during strenuous activities to prevent accidental scratching. With a little care, cleaning, maintenance, and love, your beautiful piece of jewelry can last a lifetime.
Infographic: Pros and Cons of Brass Jewelry
Before making a purchase, it is essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the item you wish to buy. With this in mind, we present the pros and cons of brass jewelry in the infographic below. Familiarize yourself with these factors before purchasing any brass jewelry.
Brass jewelry is popular worldwide due to its uniqueness, fashionability, durability, and affordability. However, maintaining its brilliance can be challenging. Fortunately, by following the guidelines in this post, you can clean brass jewelry at home and restore any items that have become dull, scratched, or dirty. Brass jewelry can be cleaned using basic household products such as lemon juice, toothpaste, or even ammonia. This method is cost-effective and can restore its shine.
Key Takeaways
- To clean your brass jewelry, you can use ingredients found in your pantry such as lemon juice and toothpaste, which aid in tarnish removal.
- For cast brass jewelry, clean with warm water and dry overnight before polishing to reduce spots.
- To prevent tarnish on brass jewelry, dry it with a soft cloth.
