How to clean brass at home?

For sure in every house there is any product made of brass, whether it is decoration or a kitchen item. And like all other objects they can get dirty, accordingly - as soon as this happens, you start to wonder: what is brass cleaning at home? In this article we will answer you this question and help in the fight against the pollution of brass objects.

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What is brass? The history and properties of the

alloy Brass has always been very much appreciated. It is an alloy consisting of two metals, where the main element is copper, and an additional element is zinc. In its appearance, brass is more like bronze and has similar technical characteristics and properties:

• resistance to corrosion;
• fluidity during melting;
• resistance to a long process of friction.

Important! Brass has a unique property for metals - it is not magnetic. Therefore, for the correct determination of the alloy, a magnet is used: if the metal is not attracted to the magnet, then before you is brass.

Based on the similarity of the composition with bronze, it is possible to clean brass at home using the same means and methods that are applied to a similar alloy. But it is better to take into account the specific composition of your product in order to determine exactly how to clean bronze at home.

Important! Brass alloys are simple, where only copper and zinc are alloyed. But there are more complex formulations in which a small amount of tin, iron, and also aluminum or other metals is added to the two main components.

The color of the brass alloy varies, depending on the percentage of zinc - starting from yellow-gold to greenish.

Important! In order to impart a more respectable appearance to objects made of brass, to increase their wear resistance, and to limit the contact of brass with water or air, they are covered with special protective layers. To this end, use even precious metals - gold or silver, which are sprayed on the surface of the product itself.

In contact with the outside environment, the brass product loses its original noble shine, begins to become covered with stains of oxide. Therefore, in order to clean brass at home, it is necessary to create special conditions for removing oxides.

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The simplest tool for cleaning brass

To the world-wide methods of cleaning brass products, it is necessary to include the creation of an acidic environment that will remove the entire unsightly plaque. Oxalic acid is most suitable for these purposes. Any household chemicals, in the composition of which there is such an acid, can be used to make brass objects attractive.

Important! Note that concentrated oxalic acid and any agents based on it are very toxic. Therefore, when cleaning your jewelry, decorative interior or cutlery, be sure to wear protective gloves and observe safety precautions. Acid should never get on your skin.

Method 1

To clean brass at home, you can use household detergent, which has oxalic acid in its composition. To do this:

1. Lubricate the product generously.
2. Wait for 15-20 minutes for the product to start functioning.

Important! The reaction that will result from the combination of detergent and dirt is the release of a dark plaque that is easily removed under running water with a brush.

1. After you have washed the product, fill it with soda.
2. After 20-30 minutes again, wash and wipe until there is a characteristic shine.

Important! Also for this method absolutely any acidic agent or concentrates, which are sold in the departments with household chemicals, is suitable. Nitric, formic, as well as other acids that are part of the cleansing agents, can help to clean brass at home very quickly and easily.

Method 2

For a more thorough cleaning, you can prepare a solution consisting of oxalic acid and water. To do this:

1. Take 200 g of acid. Dilute it in 10 liters of water.
2. Put the brass product in the prepared solution and observe the process of darkening.

Important! This tool is able to completely clean the metal from old oxide stains. After the oxalic bath, rinse thoroughly and wipe the product.

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Popular tools, to clean brass

The use of an alloy of zinc and copper for kitchen accessories has generated a large number of recipes from good housewives to return the original and noble yellow color, as well as a specific luster to objects made of brass.

Clearing kitchen items with folk remedies is easy, just need to use what is always at hand.

Acetone or nail polish remover

Acetone is the same liquid that can restore the original appearance of the brass alloy. To clean the brass at home with this particular remedy, observe the following sequence of actions:

1. Dip a cotton swab, disc or hygienic stick abundantly with acetone. Choose a suitable device, based on the size of the contaminated object, its shape, decor.
2. Thoroughly clean the product until all stains are removed.

Important! This means can also remove contaminants and excess oxides from copper. But we must take into account that the oxides on copper give it the same unique color, and their quantity is the main feature in the evaluation of products.

Vinegar and salt:

1. Dilute 1 tbsp.l.salt plus a half cup of vinegar in a small amount of water - 2-3 liters is enough.
2. Place on the fire until boiling.
3. Put brass products in a hot solution and boil for at least 3-4 hours, constantly adding water.

All unwanted spots will disappear during boiling.

Important! In order to give the object a shine, upon completion of the washing, you can polish it with a suitable cloth.

Dough from flour and vinegar:

1. Mix the sour dough from 1 cup of flour and equal parts of water and flour.
2. Spread all the soiled products with this test.
3. Wait until it is completely dry, then remove using a rag.
4. To achieve gloss, polish the product well with a soft cloth.

Important! This method will clean brass objects from oxides, as well as well suited for any product, which includes copper.

Lemon and salt:

1. Spread half a lemon with a pinch of salt.
2. Lubricate contaminated areas of the brass product.

This is usually enough to remove even the strongest dirt. Therefore, you can safely say that this is the easiest way to clean brass at home.

Simple vinegar

If the oxides have appeared quite recently, then this method will definitely help to remove them. To clean the brass, do this:

1. Heat to the boiling point 1 cup of normal table vinegar.
2. Dampen it with a cotton pad or swab.
3. Wipe all stains on the product.

Abrasives

A popular invention in cleaning brass is also the use of abrasive materials and substances: the use of toothpaste or fine sandpaper:

1. Tooth paste paste the darkened places of a brass product, with a toothbrush or a rag, clean them. In order to thoroughly clean the metal in this way, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the product thoroughly with soapy water. This is done in order to remove stains of another nature: dirt, old fat and others.
2. Sandpaper can be used if it is necessary to clean a large volume of oxides. Also this means is suitable to give an acceptable appearance to rough products that do not require special delicacies in handling, for example, fireplace grates.

Important! For cleaning jewelry made of brass, as well as interior items and various rare things, use only special professional tools. Otherwise, if the approach is wrong, the product may become depreciated. After cleaning, polish to give the original shine. To prevent contamination of the object to be cleaned, polish should be done by wearing cotton gloves first.

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What if I do not like the result?

If after numerous attempts to dissolve the coating with vinegar or another remedy, you are unhappy with the result, you will have to remove the paint, and then - repaint the brass again.

The whole procedure looks like this:

1. First of all, prepare a surface - spread a newspaper or some kind of film in the place where you will clean it.
2. Remove the damaged layer. Using a nail polish remover and a brush, remove the protective layer of the product. When carrying out the cleaning, do not forget that you are working with a combustible substance, and therefore keep as far as possible from the fire.
3. Next - polish the surface. For this operation there is a special polish - take advantage of it. Rub the polish into the surface, then polish the product until the desired shine appears.
4. Lacquer the product again - this will help it to retain its shine, and also provide a reliable and long-lasting protection. Apply the paint coat evenly. To do this, use a brush.
5. After drying the varnish, wipe the brass with absolutely any cloth.

We hope that our tips will help you in the fight against the contamination of brass items. Be careful with them, clean up the dust in time and they will delight you for many more years with their refinement and elegance.