6 effective ways to clean and shine brass jewelry
Unique, fashionable, durable and affordable brass jewelry is popular all over the world. However, maintaining the shine of brass jewelry can be problematic. Luckily we are here to tell you how to clean brass jewelry at home. Whether it’s dull, scratched, or has dirt and grime built up in the corners, we can help you fix it! Read on to learn how to polish and clean your brass jewelry and make it shine like new. Scroll down to find out more!
1. Ketchup
Regular ketchup is sufficient to give most brass items a new shine.
Put on rubber gloves and an apron to avoid spilling ketchup while cleaning. Scoop up as much of the ketchup as possible from one side of the jewelry with a paper towel.
Turn the item over and suck up the ketchup on the other side. You will notice the results immediately!
You can also leave the ketchup on for about 4-6 minutes if your piece is heavily tarnished.
Wipe off excess ketchup and rinse with warm water.
Let your jewelry dry overnight to avoid getting dirty while wearing it.
2. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a great brass cleaner and doesn’t take a lot of time or 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 and grime.
Rinse the jewelry and wipe with a soft, clean cloth to keep your brass items sparkling.
Note: Because toothpaste is slightly abrasive, only use this method for occasional cleaning to avoid scratching.
3. Lemon Juice
You can use lemon juice to clean both red and yellow brass jewelry.
When cleaning intricate jewelry made up of multiple pieces, soak the entire item in a glass bowl filled with lemon juice. Otherwise, soak cotton swabs in fresh lemon juice and rub over the jewelry for five minutes.
Rinse your jewelry thoroughly and dry it with a clean cloth until it shines.
You can also use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas, quickly removing excess dirt.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar has long been a popular household cleaner, and it’s great for your brass jewelry, too. With a little apple cider vinegar, you can create sparkling brass jewelry in no time. Make sure you wear gloves before using the vinegar, however, as it can cause irritation if it splatters on your hands or wrists.
Soak your jewelry in a bowl of vinegar for several hours or overnight. You can also add some salt for better results.
Remove your jewelry from the solution and wipe away any remaining vinegar with a clean cloth.
Be sure to rinse your items before wearing them again.
5. Baking Soda
Clean your brass jewelry with baking soda and salt to keep it looking new. The process is quite simple and you can also keep some patina for the added charm. This natural cleaning method ensures that the shine of your brass parts is preserved. Although baking soda is slightly abrasive, it will not scratch the metal or destroy its paint.
Mix some salt and baking soda with water in a bowl.
Dissolve the ingredients and make a paste.
Scrub your jewelry with the cleaning paste for about five minutes before rinsing with warm water.
The piece of brass jewelery should shine again in its original splendor in a very short time. You can use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas of your jewelry, but be careful not to scratch it.
6. Clean brass jewelry without removing patina
Brass can tarnish over time, resulting in an unsightly greenish layer of corrosion called a patina. However, many people appreciate the appearance of this patina as it adds color and elegance to your jewelry.
If you own one of these pieces and wish to preserve the patina, all you need to do is clean your jewelry with soap and warm water. This will help remove dirt and debris without removing the patina.
Instead of a polishing cloth, use a soft cloth to gently wipe away the patina. Wipe your jewelry with a clean cloth and make sure it is completely dry to avoid water stains.
The next section outlines steps you should take when cleaning and polishing your brass jewelry to keep it shiny, beautiful and tarnish free. Scroll down for more information.
How to care for brass jewelry
Avoid using commercially available abrasives and polishes as they can damage the protective coating or golden shine of your jewelry and make it appear dull.
Only use a polishing cloth for plain, undecorated pieces. When used on jewelry with engravings, etchings, or paint, the fabric’s abrasive surface can abrade anything that isn’t made of polished gold or silver.
Clean hard-to-reach corners with a toothbrush. Any small, stiff bristles will do, as long as they don’t leave hair on your jewelry.
All you need to clean your cast brass jewelry is warm water. After scrubbing, lay flat on a towel and dry overnight before buffing to reduce stains.
Now let’s move on to a few at home tricks to prevent your brass jewelry from tarnishing.
How to prevent brass jewelry from tarnishing
Keep your brass jewelry in a clean, dry place – especially if you don’t wear it often and want to keep it shiny.
Do not attempt to clean your brass jewelry using abrasive methods as these can remove the patina and result in dark green or black stains.
Dry your jewelry with a soft cloth immediately after cleaning to avoid water stains.
Wipe excess cleaning solution off jewelry to avoid scratching.
The strength of acidic and alkaline solutions will affect how quickly your jewelry will tarnish. Therefore, avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning.
Use a good quality polish and rub gently over the metal until your jewelry shines. Repeat this process if tarnishing is visible as over-polishing your jewelry will not produce results.
Do not wear your brass jewelry while swimming or showering. Also, avoid contact with harsh chemicals such as perfume, household cleaners, makeup remover, or hairspray.
Store brass parts in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to prevent metal oxidation and spots darkening.
Don’t let your brass jewelry rub against other objects as this can cause scratches. For long-term storage, you should attach felt pads between the individual parts to avoid scratching each other during storage.
These simple and effective ways to clean your brass jewelry at home will help keep it sparkling for years to come. There are no hard and fast rules for caring for brass jewelry – just use common sense and safe methods.
Avoid getting water on the metal or scrubbing too hard. Be careful not to wear your brass jewelry during strenuous activities so you don’t accidentally scratch the metal. With a little care, cleaning, maintenance and love, your beautiful piece of jewelry can last forever.
In summary, brass jewelry is a popular choice due to its unique and fashionable appeal, however, proper cleaning and care is required to maintain its luster and beauty. With the above six effective methods, you can easily clean and shine your brass jewelry at home using simple household items like ketchup, toothpaste, lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda. Additionally, it is important to follow proper methods to prevent tarnishing and preserve the patina, especially on intricate or decorative pieces.
Remember to handle your brass jewelry with care, avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning methods, and store it properly in a clean and dry place. By following these tips and taking some time to care and love, your brass jewelry can remain bright and durable for years, adding elegance and charm to your personal style. Enjoy the beauty of brass and let your jewelry shine like new!
