Architecture Adrenaline
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Home items made of brass such as doorknobs, decorative pots, fireplace andirons, accent tables and light fixtures look their best when polished and clean. But over time they can become dull and tarnished if not regularly maintained; to prevent this dingy appearance you can polish up these fixtures and objects using some common pantry ingredients that will leave them shining like new again.
There are a variety of brass cleaners and polishes available at local hardware stores or online, but natural methods that you might already have at home may also work just as effectively. Vinegar and table salt make an effective homemade cleaning solution; more traditional solutions such as Brasso or ammonia also can help maintain brass's familiar shine while eliminating stubborn stains.
One of the easiest and simplest ways to clean brass items is using household white vinegar. Unlike more aggressive cleaning solutions that may scratch or harm certain finishes, vinegar is gentle enough for any kind of brass fixture or item, including bathroom and kitchen faucets, cabinet handles and drawer pulls. Simply spray or wipe down these brass fixtures or items with vinegar sprays or wipes until all dirt, grime or tarnish has been removed.
Vinegar can also help remove tough rust stains from brass. Use this solution by applying it directly to the affected area with a soft cloth or sponge and then rinsing off with warm water before drying it with a microfiber cloth - its acid will quickly dissolve any unwanted stains while salt acts as a mild abrasive to polish away existing tarnish.
Lemon Juice Another natural and effective cleaning method for brass involves mixing lemon juice with table salt or baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and apply a thin layer of table salt on its bottom half before using its flat side to rub over tarnished brass pieces - coating additional salt as necessary as necessary - until all tarnish has been removed while simultaneously polishing your brass into its bright, shiny state. Rinse off after every application using warm water and dry it thoroughly using a microfiber cloth before rinsing off.
You might be amazed to discover that high quality toothpaste is effective at cleaning brass items, but it really works! Simply apply an even coat of plain or non-gel toothpaste onto the items requiring polishing and gently rub with a soft microfiber cloth until thoroughly covered by paste. Let this sit on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm soapy water and drying off as usual.
This solution is especially helpful in cleaning unlacquered brass surfaces, while you can also use it on lacquered brass to eliminate any residual dirt and residue build-up.
