Clean Brass Jewelry

Brass jewelry has an attractive, moderate sheen, but when it starts to get dirtied and tarnished, that sheen will look less and less impressive. More often than not, a simple cleaning with water and soap can remove ordinary dirt acquired from frequent use. If your brass jewelry has begun to tarnish or look dull, however, you may need to use more advanced cleaning techniques.

Steps

Basic Cleaning

  1. Plug your sink. You will need to work over your sink. Even if you are not clumsy by nature, the water and soap you will be using will make the jewelry more slippery than normal. If the jewelry slips from your hands as you work, it could be lost down the drain if you do not plug the sink before you start.
  2. Run your jewelry under hot water. Use your fingers or a soft bristled toothbrush to lightly scrub away any visible dirt particles as you rinse. Scrub gently, since being too abrasive could scratch the brass. If you cannot get the dirt out of interior chain links or other small crevices, do not worry. Stuck-on dirt can usually be loosened by soaking.
  3. Fill a small bowl with hot water and soap. Use a very mild soap, like a mild dishwashing detergent. Anything harsher could cause damage to the brass, and scented or specially formulated soaps can leave a film that can ruin the sheen of the brass. Use your hand to combine the soap and water until the blob of detergent dissolves and soapy bubbles form on the surface of the water.
  4. Place the jewelry inside the bowl. Allow it to soak for five to ten minutes. As it soaks, dirty particles that are caught inside chains or other crannies should be loosened and lifted away from the surface of the jewelry.
  5. Gently scrub the jewelry. Use a clean, soft cotton cloth and scrub the jewelry underwater. Use your thumb to move the cloth along the jewelry in small, circular motions, focusing on the edges of the jewelry more than the interior. Do not press down too firmly.
    • You can also use a soft bristled toothbrush instead of cloth.
  6. Rinse the jewelry again. Run each brass piece under warm water to remove any soap residue. Make sure that your sink is still plugged before doing so.
  7. Air dry the jewelry. Lay it out flat on a clean towel or paper towel for 30 minutes, or until dry. You can also gently pat your jewelry with a clean towel to speed the drying along, but it will probably need to air dry before the water will be removed from the interior crevices.

Cleaning Tarnish with Ketchup[1]

  1. Apply a bit of ketchup to a clean, soft cloth. A little dab should be enough to take care of most small to moderately-sized jewelry, from rings to bangle bracelets to choker necklaces.
  2. Rub the ketchup over the brass jewelry. Focus on the areas covered with tarnish. The acid from the tomatoes should be strong enough to dissolve the tarnish but too weak to damage the brass.
  3. Wipe the ketchup off. Use a dry cloth to remove most of the ketchup. Follow with a damp cloth.
  4. Buff the jewelry clean with a dry cloth. Use gentle, circular motions.

Cleaning Tarnish with Vinegar Paste

  1. Create a paste from vinegar, salt, and flour. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt into 1/2 cup (125 ml) of white vinegar, stirring until combined. Add enough flour to form a paste.
  2. Rub this paste onto the brass. Focus on areas covered with tarnish, since the paste is designed to remove tarnish and not to remove ordinary, everyday dirt. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse the jewelry under warm water. Plug your sink drain and run tap water over the jewelry. Make sure that all traces of the paste are removed.
  4. Buff the jewelry dry using a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, allow the jewelry to air dry to remove moisture from interior crevices.

Remove Tarnish with a Vinegar Rinse

  1. Create a solution of water, vinegar, and salt. Mix 2 tablespoons (60 ml) of salt and 2 tablespoons (60 ml) of white vinegar into 1 pint (500 ml) of steaming hot water.
  2. Dip a rag or toothbrush into the solution. Use a clean, soft rag, or a soft bristled toothbrush.
  3. Apply the solution to the tarnished areas. Gently rub the tarnished brass with the rag or toothbrush. Continue rubbing until you notice the tarnish fading, but rub gently to prevent yourself from breaking chain links or other delicate parts of your jewelry.
  4. Dry the jewelry with a clean rag. You may need to let the jewelry air dry, depending on how wet the jewelry got.

Cleaning with Lemon Juice

  1. Dip a soft cloth or soft toothbrush into a little lemon juice. The acidic lemon juice can remove dirt and return a bit of lost shine to your brass.
  2. Rub the lemon juice onto the jewelry. Use gentle, circular motions, as though polishing the piece.
  3. Wipe the jewelry clean. Use a damp cloth, rather than a dry cloth. It is important that you remove all the lemon juice from the jewelry, since allowing acidic lemon juice to sit on brass too long can actually damage it.
  4. Dry with a soft cloth. Remove as much water from the jewelry as possible with a dry cotton cloth. If there is any water you cannot remove, allow the piece to air dry until that water dries up.

Tips

  • If you have a mild allergy to brass, your skin may end up with a greenish tint after you wear your brass jewelry. You can prevent this by applying clear nail polish over the jewelry around the area where it rests on your skin.
  • Make sure that your jewelry is completely brass rather than brass-plated. Brass-plated pieces should only be cleaned using a basic method, with soap and water. Anything rougher could damage the jewelry. Test a piece of jewelry by holding a magnet next to it. If the magnet sticks, it is probably brass-plated.
  • Refrain from using jewelry cleaner unless it is labeled for use with brass. You should also find out whether or not the stones in your brass jewelry can safely withstand the cleaner before using it.
  • If you have antique brass jewelry, have it appraised before cleaning it. For many antique brass pieces, tarnish adds value instead of taking it away.

Things You’ll Need

  • Sink with drain plug
  • Small bowl
  • Soft cloths
  • Soft bristle toothbrushes
  • Ketchup
  • Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Flour
  • Lemon juice

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/how-to-clean-brass-naturally
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Clean_Brass_Jewelry&oldid=268917"