How to Clean a Brass Bed

A brass bed can add an elegant, antique touch to any bedroom. But cleaning the brass bed can be a bit of a hassle. As brass ages, it develops a patina and becomes less shiny. Here are some guidelines to follow to restore the shine to your brass bed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dry, clean washcloths
• Commercial brass cleaner
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Paintbrush
• Sponge
• Lacquer
• Lacquer remover

1. Strip the bed. Remove all pillows, sheets and fitted sheets to ensure no accidental staining occurs during the cleaning process.

2. Decide whether you will use a commercial brass cleaner such as Nevr-Dull, or whether you want to mix up a batch of homemade solution.

3. Mix up a batch of homemade brass cleaner by combining white vinegar and salt. The desired consistency is a loose paste. Hot sauce and ketchup have also been known to work, but cost more and increase the risk of staining your mattress.

4. Remove the lacquer, if any. If your brass is lacquered, you will need to remove the lacquer in order to clean the discolored patina. Do this by applying a varnish remover with a paintbrush or sponge.

5. Apply your cleaning solution with a cloth. Rub in small circles. If possible, allow solution to sit for up to 1 hour.

6. Use a toothbrush to apply solution to intricate designs or hard-to-reach places. Always scrub gently.

7. Using a dry, clean cloth, remove excess solution.

8. Reapply lacquer, if necessary.