BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Rejuvenate Tarnished Brass

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Chances are your kitchen pantry holds the solution to your tarnished brass. Send blemished brass items for an antioxidizing bath in Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce or ketchup. If you don't have these ingredients, try vinegar or lemon juice, both of which have the acidity to remove oxidation (tarnish) on brass items with a simple soak or good rub. It's an inexpensive recipe for success.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Soft Cloth
Mild Dishwashing Liquid
Olive Oil
Soft Fingernail Brush
Paste Car Wax
Tabasco sauce, Tabasco sauce, or ketchup
Pot, pan or plastic container

Step1

Place the brass item in a pot, pan or plastic container.

Step2

Cover the item with Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce or ketchup.

Step3

Let it sit for at least 2 hours.

Step4

Scrub with mild dishwashing liquid and a soft fingernail brush under cool running water.

Step5

Dry with a smooth cloth to prevent scratching.

Step6

To retard future tarnish, rub with a cloth moistened with olive oil.

Step7

To keep brass house numbers shining longer, apply several coats of paste car wax to protect the finish.

Tips & Warnings

Very old brass items, especially if cracking or peeling, should be professionally cleaned and repaired.

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Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Purchase TSP from a local grocer(cheap, in an orange box), even though it says not for aluminum, don't worry that, it's only a couple of minutes. Add about 1 tablespoon of TSP to warm water, dissolve. Put the item in the water, scrub it just enough to agitate, leave the item soaking about 3-4 minutes (otherwise it will turn black). Scrub lightly and rinse with water. Better than new.