Keep The Brassware At Home Shining - How to clean and polish brassware

Brass ornaments are considered as items that add beauty and elegance to any household..I love the shine of brass at home..the lamps,the handles of doors,drawer pulls, and other small furnishing accessories...And traditionally,brass oil lamps,flower stands,vases and trays are considered as symbols of prosperity and good luck..Shining brassware brings a traditional charm to your interiors...

Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper..It tends to oxidise quickly when exposed to air,which is a major reason why most brass is given a clear coating of lacquer to prevent this condition..Most conventional polishes coat the raw metal with a thin film of oil to help inhibit future tarnishing..Most metal polishes contain solvents and detergents to remove tarnish,mild abrasives to polish the metal and oils to act as a barrier between the raw metal and air..

Here are a few tips to keep your brassware shining:

To polish antique brass pieces,wash in hot,soapy water to remove grime,wax,etc..Rinse and dry...Moisten a soft cloth with boiled linseed oil and rub on the brass surface until all the dirt and grease have been removed..

Brass will look brighter and require less polishing if rubbed with a cloth moistened with olive oil after each polishing...Olive oil retards tarnish..

Polish with a soft cloth..Very old brass items,especially if in poor condition,require special care..

Unlaquered brass tarnishes when exposed to air.A weekly wiping with a little liquid ammonia on a soft cloth will help keep unlaquered brass shiny..

To remove heavy tarnish,difficult stains and corrosion:wash in hot,soapy water or a weak ammonia and water solution and rinse..Dampen a soft cloth in hot vinegar,then dip in table salt and rub the brass or make a paste of flour,salt and vinegar...You may need several applications..

Brass hearth and fire sets that have been neglected require special treatment...They can be rubed with extra fine steel wool..This requires much time and work..Very fine emery cloth will give quicker results but the metal must be rubbed in only one direction..Do not use circular motions as well..

For polishing,one of the best tools which provide just the right amount of oil on to metal is a yellow,treated dust cloth..Wipe down brass with this cloth and then buff it dry with a soft,cotton cloth..This trace amount of oil in the cloth shouldnot smear or discolour after a buffing..

Keep decorative items dusted and clean...Wash in sudsy,lukewarm water,rinse and dry...Never use hot water on lacquered items as it loosens the lacquer..Do not polish them or soak them in water..