Brass is a great looking metal that’s resistant to rust and corrosion. Because of its beautiful appearance and antibacterial properties, brass is popular in the home and can be easily polished. Its hardiness means brass is often used in locations where it will be touched frequently, with hands rubbing over doorknobs, handles, and taps. This day-to-day usage does actually make the brass shine, however, the shine will be uneven in tone unless you treat it.
Despite the many benefits of brass, over time it will begin to tarnish. Tarnishing is a result of the metal being exposed to air or moisture, causing the brass to suffer from discolouration, staining, and in some more severe cases, corrosion. This can also make brass items less valuable, as it can be unsightly. Brass can also become stained and dirty from continuous use and body oils can rub off onto the surfaces.
This handy guide will take you through the steps to prevent your brass from tarnishing as well as how to clean brass hardware in your living space.
How to clean brass handles
One of the most popular questions when it comes to brass cleaning is how to clean brass handles. Brass handles offer timeless style in the home, with the yellow-gold colour complimenting a solid wooden door. As brass door handles are often years old, tarnishing can occur over time and make that once shiny door knob appear dull and dated.
Using Jenolite Brass Restorer to clean and polish your brass handles is a perfect solution as it leaves a protective coating against oils and dirt from hands and provides a long-lasting shine. Whether you have a doorknob or lever, you can use this restorer to revitalise your door furniture. Simply wipe the handles clean to get rid of excess grease and shake well before applying.
You can either brush the handles liberally with the solution, or we recommend removing the brass door handles entirely to get a full even coverage without getting the restorer on your door.
Fully submerge the handles and after a few minutes, you can begin to work the product into the surface using fine steel wool for optimal results. Wipe the brass handles with water and use a clean paper towel to dry before reinstalling the handles back to your door.
The best way to polish brass is to keep your shiny handles topped up with Jenolite Liquid Metal Polish for added protection and to remove fingerprints, watermarks, grease, grime and dirt. Simply apply evenly with a soaked cloth and buffer after a few minutes in circular motions.
How to clean brass taps
Brass taps are a beautiful traditional feature of a bathroom or kitchen sink, with the golden colour reflecting Victorian style. However, no one wants patchy or tarnished, tinged taps.
Cleaning brass taps regularly can keep them looking new and gleaming with pride. However, this is not always doable as time can creep up on us all, causing the brass to tarnish or present stains from watermarks.
Our Brass Restorer works well on copper, bronze and brass to remove doorknob stains and restore items to their original state.
For taps, it’s best to wipe them to remove contaminants that may cause a barrier, halting the solution from working well. Once cleaned use a soft brush to liberally apply, covering the surface evenly. After 5 minutes use a soft cloth or a piece of fine steel wool to work the solution in. Then wipe clean using a dry paper towel or cloth.
How to clean a brass letterbox
Your letterbox is most likely the first thing your guests see. Fingerprints can cause unattractive smears and scratches and weather can cause it to tarnish or corrode making it dark and drab. Our Brass Restorer also works well for letterboxes as it provides a protective layer against water and the weather, making it ideal for exterior usage.
Don’t worry if your tarnished letterbox has been left untreated for a while, as our restorer can cut through years of grime. Apply liberally using a brush to make sure all areas are covered with the solution.
If possible, you may find it easier to remove the front of the letterbox by taking out the screws. Rub the solution in after a few minutes, using circular motions to add polish and shine. Our restorer can also be used on copper, bronze and other metals.
Follow up with our Liquid Metal Polish to add a protective film, preventing marks and helping it stay clean for even longer.
If you have any questions regarding our products or need advice on how to restore metal and prevent rust, take a look at our blog page or contact us directly.
