The Secret To Cleaning Thrifted Brass Until It's Sparkling New

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There's something thrilling about spotting a gorgeous brass piece at a thrift store — until you pick it up and realize it's covered in decades of grime, tarnish, and who-knows-what-else. Factors like residual adhesives and polishes, previous handling, as well as oxidation can cause brass items to dull over time. Thankfully, polishing your brass with Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser is an effective way to make it look sparkling new again.

This cleanser works for brass because its primary ingredient is oxalic acid, which breaks down tarnish, rust, and other mineral deposits. It also contains fine glass abrasives that remove grime without scratching the surface. When using this cleaner, don't let it sit on brass items for more than one minute to avoid etching. Also, first test it in a hidden area and always wear gloves. 

To clean, apply the Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser directly on the brass item, on a scrubbing pad, or a paper towel. Lightly scrub in circles with the pad, and using a soft-bristle toothbrush for hard-to-reach spots. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface, ensuring you remove any trace of the product. Follow this up by running the item through warm water and mild dish soap to remove extra gunk. Finally, dry it completely with a microfiber towel. If what you have is the Barkeepers Friend Powdered Cleanser, you can still use that. Just make a paste with the powder and a little water, then scrub your brass with that paste, following the same procedures.

Aside from using a commercial cleaner, you can also successfully clean brass with household products. Before you use any of these cleaning methods, always confirm your item isn't brass-plated: Some cleaning methods can peel off the plating. An easy way to figure out what your thrifted brass item is made of is to use a magnet. If it sticks to the item, it's brass-plated. If not, it's solid brass.

One popular cleaning hack is to mix lemon juice and baking soda. Add the juice of half a lemon to about one tablespoon of baking soda and mix. Scrub the item using a rag or soft toothbrush, then rinse and dry with a microfiber towel. This combo can also be used to easily remove rust from stainless steel surfaces. Another cleaning method combines equal proportions of vinegar, flour, salt, and lemon juice to create a cleaning paste that's especially ideal for heavily tarnished brass. Apply this paste to the brass item and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Scrub, rinse with water, then dry with a microfiber towel.

If your brass item doesn't require much cleaning, you can use the simple toothpaste method. Just apply a thin layer of non-gel toothpaste and let it sit on the thrifted brass for five to ten minutes. Scrub using a toothbrush, rinse in warm water, and dry.

Here's the thing about brass: not all tarnish is bad. Many people love the rich, dark patina that develops over time because it adds warmth, history, and a vintage vibe. It also makes these brass items a decor investment that gets better as time passes because they may be worth more as they age. For thrifted brass items with a desirable patina, skip harsh polishes and opt for gentler cleaning.

If you prefer to keep that aged look while still cleaning off dirt and grime, stick to using only a mild soap and water mix to clean your items. Just soak the item in warm soapy water for a few minutes, then scrub using a soft sponge or cloth to remove dirt, oil, and gunk. Rinse in clean water and dry with a soft cloth. After cleaning, consider applying a wax or lacquer coating on your thrifted brass. This protects the brass while keeping its vintage charm intact. However, we'd advise you to seek professional advice before cleaning any antique thrift find to prevent damage to the item's value.