There are many DIY cleaning options that will help you clean up brass jewelry. But before you start scrubbing away, it's important to understand what causes tarnish and how to remove it without ruining your metal items.
First, find out the age and type of finish on your brass. If your brass has a lacquered finish, you will need strip the varnish off before you can use cleaners or tarnish eliminators to remove the tarnish. Unlacquered brass can be cleaned with mild soap and water to remove any tarnish.
Next, search for an acidic solution that will remove tarnish and rust from brass. While tomatoes and lemons are excellent options, you could also try vinegar or mustard. Applying a thin coating of one of these products to your tarnished brass will help the acid loosen it. Allow the acid to sit for at least an hour and then scrub it with a soft toothbrush or cloth.
Toothpaste is another good DIY solution to tarnish. Sean Parry from Neat Services says toothpaste reacts with the acid present in tarnish.
For antique brass pieces, Bougere recommends dipping a lemon slice or rind in salt and rubbing it on the tarnished item for about 10 minutes. A combination of salt's abrasiveness, lemon's acidity and citric acid can work well to loosen and remove tarnish on brass pieces that are delicater.
To make a homemade paste, you can mix lemon juice and table salt. Combine the salt and lemon juice to make a thick paste. Once the paste is smooth, apply it to the brass pieces. Allow them to soak for up an hour before scrubbing.
After scrubbing, rinse and dry the brass with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. You might need to repeat the process multiple times depending on how severe the tarnish remains.
If you want to clean brass or copper that has been exposed, you can combine equal parts of flour and white vinegar. Spread it over the tarnished items. Allow the mixture to soak for approximately an hour. Then, scrub it with a toothbrush.
You can clean brass that is badly tarnished by using a natural, organic, salt-based cleaner. Flitz Instant Brass & Copper Tarnish Remover is a safe and efficient way to remove heavy tarnish and corrosion from copper and brass surfaces.
This spray-on tarnish remover instantly dissolves and lifts heavy tarnish, calcium deposits and rust, corrosion, oxidation, water spots and stains on brass and copper surfaces. It is safer and more effective than traditional acid-based cleaners. It's ideal for indoors and outdoors and can be used on copper, brass, aluminum, glass, painted surfaces, fiberglass, stucco and brick.