Homemade Gold or Brass Cleaner

Brass and the primary alloys mixed into gold to give gold items strength and color (usually copper or silver) will tarnish and dull when exposed to air over time. Use a mild acid to remove oxidation.

Use Ketchup

Place the tarnished item in a pot with enough ketchup to cover the item. Heat the ketchup, but do not let the ketchup come to a boil. Ketchup contains a mild acid that will remove tarnish. Heating the ketchup activates the acid and hastens the time it takes to remove the tarnish.

Use Vinegar and Salt

Place the tarnished item in a bucket with enough vinegar to cover the item. Add salt. Soak the item until the tarnish comes off.

Wash, Rinse and Dry

When the tarnish has been removed, clean off the acid before it damages the item. Once you remove the item from the ketchup or vinegar, wash it with soap and water. Rinse it with water, and dry it.

References

• "The Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition"; Tim McCreight; 2005
• "Metalsmithing"; Robert Ebendorf, Michael Jerry, and Thomas Markusen; 1973
• "Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing"; Tim McCreight; 1997
• "Jewelry Concepts and Technology"; Oppi Untracht; 1982
• "The Complete Book of Jewelry Making"; Carles Codina; 2006