How to Clean Very Tarnished Brass Lamps

Tarnished brass lamps can be cleaned and restored.

Brass is used to make many items, such as musical instruments, ammunition and home decorations. Many people decorate their homes with brass objects because they find the color and finish of brass to be similar to gold. However, brass is highly susceptible to corrosion and tarnishing so it requires frequent cleaning. When a brass lamp is very tarnished, you will need to remove the varnish, then use the proper materials to fully restore the lamp’s shiny finish.

Things You'll Need

• Mild dish detergent
• Soft sponge
• Damp cloth
• Newspaper
• Rubber gloves
• Paintbrush
• Varnish remover
• Soft cloth
• Brass polish
• 2 clean cloths

Instructions

1. Turn the lamp switch off and unplug the lamp from the outlet. Place the lamp on a level surface, away from any electrical outlets. Apply mild dish detergent and hot water to a soft sponge and rub the sponge over the brass lamp to remove dirt and grime. Rinse the detergent off of the lamp with a damp cloth.

2. Spread newspaper over the surface where you are working and set the lamp on the newspaper. Put on rubber gloves and open the windows in the room for ventilation. Use a paintbrush to apply varnish remover thoroughly over the lamp's surface.

3. Wipe the varnish remover off of the lamp with a soft cloth. Once the varnish is completely removed from the brass, polish the brass with brass polish. Apply the brash polish to the lamp with a clean cloth, rubbing the polish into the brass.

4. Rub the brass polish off of the lamp with another clean cloth. Use the cloth to buff the lamp until the brass shines.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep water away from the cord to prevent electrocution.

• Always follow the manufacturer's directions when using varnish remover, as it is highly flammable.

• Never use abrasive cleaners on brass, as they can scratch and damage it.

References

• How To Clean Stuff: How To Clean Brass
• Mrs. Fix It: Brass Renewal