How to Clean a Brass Vase

Use items from your pantry to clean a brass vase. When brass is dirty or tarnished inside and out, try common household products to clean grime and polish the brass. Shine them up, and add a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dish soap
• Toothbrush
• Buttermilk
• Salt
• White vinegar
• Soft cloth
• Ketchup
• Olive oil

1. Wash in hot soapy water. Try to remove as much grime as possible using a toothbrush or dishwashing brush to get inside the vase.
2. Mix about 1 cup buttermilk with 2 tablespoons salt. Submerge the vase in the mixture rinsing both inside and out.
3. Rinse with water, and dry with a soft cloth.
4. Remove tarnishing on the inside or outside with a mixture of 2 tablespoons ketchup and one tablespoon white vinegar. Mix together, dip rag and rub on the vase. Let it dry on the vase. Rinse with water and dry with soft cloth.
5. Prevent future tarnishing on the outside of the vase by putting olive oil on a rag and rubbing the outside of the vase.

Tips & Warnings

• Worcestershire sauce is another cleaner that works. Rub it on like the ketchup and follow the same process in Step 4.
• Submerge the vase in a mix of salt and vinegar for a few minutes and then rinse off and dry.
• Try using regular white toothpaste as a rub. Let dry, rinse and dry with a soft rag.
• If you use a brass cleaner, be sure to rinse the inside of the vase thoroughly before using it again or you'll end up with dead flowers.

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