6 Effective Ways To Clean Brass Jewelry And Make It Shine

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Unique, stylish, durable and affordable brass jewelry is popular all over the world. However, keeping the shine of brass jewelry intact can be a problem. Thankfully, we’re here to tell you how to clean brass jewelry at home. Whether it’s dullness, scratches, or a buildup of dirt and grime in the corners, we’ve got you covered! Read on to learn how to polish and clean your brass jewelry and make it shine like new. Scroll down to learn more!

Simple and effective way to clean brass jewelry

1. Ketchup

Regular ketchup is everything you need to restore shine to most brass items.

Wear rubber gloves and an apron so you don’t spill ketchup when cleaning. Drain as much ketchup as possible from one side of the jewelry with a paper towel.
Flip the item over and soak up the ketchup on the other side. You will notice the results immediately!
You can also leave the ketchup on for about 4-6 minutes if your work is heavily tarnished.
Wipe off excess ketchup and rinse with lukewarm water.
Let your jewelry dry overnight so it doesn’t smudge when you wear it.

2. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a great brass cleaner that doesn’t require much time and effort to see results.

Dab your brass jewelry with regular white toothpaste, then scrub lightly with a brush.
Continue until there is no more dirt and grime.
Rinse jewelry and wipe with a soft, clean cloth to keep your brass items sparkling.

notes: Since toothpaste is slightly abrasive, use this method only for occasional cleaning to avoid scratching.

3. Lemon Juice

You can use lemon juice to clean red and yellow brass jewelry.

If you’re cleaning multiple pieces of intricate jewelry, soak the entire item in a glass bowl filled with lemon juice. Otherwise, soak a cotton swab in fresh lemon juice and rub it on the jewelry for five minutes.
Rinse your jewelry thoroughly, then dry with a clean cloth until it shines.
You can also use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach places to quickly shed excess grime or grime.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar has long been a popular household cleaner, and it works on your brass jewelry too. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar and you can have gleaming brass jewelry in no time. However, make sure to wear gloves before using vinegar, as it can cause irritation if it gets on your hands or wrists.

Soak your jewelry in a bowl of vinegar for a few hours or overnight. You can also add some salt for better results.
Remove your jewelry from the solution and wipe the remaining vinegar with a clean cloth.
Make sure to rinse your clothes before wearing them again.

5. Baking Soda

Clean your brass jewelry with baking soda and salt to make it look like new. The process is super easy, and you can also keep some patina for added glamour. This natural cleaning method keeps the shine of brass pieces intact. Although slightly worn, the baking soda won’t scratch the metal and ruin its color.

Mix a pinch of salt and baking powder with water in a bowl.
Dissolve the ingredients and make a paste.
Scrub your jewelry with the cleaning paste for about five minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Brass jewelry should quickly return to its original luster. You can use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas of jewelry, but make sure not to scratch them.

6. Cleaning brass jewelry without removing patina

Brass can tarnish over time, creating an unattractive green corrosion layer called patina. However, many appreciate the look of this patina as it adds color and elegance to your jewelry.

If you own one of these and want to preserve the patina, all you have to do is clean your jewelry with soap and warm water. This will help remove dirt, grime and buildup without removing the patina.

Instead of using a polishing cloth, gently wipe the patina with a soft cloth. Wipe your jewelry with a clean cloth and make sure it is completely dry to avoid water spots.

The next section lists steps to take when cleaning and polishing brass jewelry to keep it shiny, beautiful, and rust-free. Scroll down for more information.

How to Care for Brass Jewelry

Avoid abrasive cleaners and polishes, as they can damage the protective gold shine on jewelry, making it look dull.
Use polishing cloths only for plain undecorated pieces. If you’re using it on jewelry with engravings, etchings, or paint, the abrasive surface of the fabric can rub against anything that isn’t polished gold or silver.
Use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach corners. Any small, stiff bristles will do, as long as they don’t leave stray hairs on your jewelry.
Just warm water is all you need to clean cast brass jewelry pieces. After scrubbing, lay them flat on a towel and dry overnight before buffing to reduce blemishes.

Now, let’s get into some home hacks to keep brass jewelry from tarnishing.

How to prevent discoloration of brass jewelry

Store your brass jewelry in a clean, dry place – especially if you don’t wear them often and want to keep their shine intact.
Do not attempt to use abrasive methods to clean brass jewelry, as they will strip the patina and may produce dark green or black patches.
Dry jewelry with a soft cloth immediately after cleaning to avoid water spots.
Wipe off excess detergent from jewelry to prevent scratches.
The strength of acidic and alkaline solutions can affect how quickly your jewelry tarnishes, so avoid harsh chemicals for cleaning.
Using a good quality polish, dab the metal until you find your jewelry sparkling. Repeat this when there is noticeable discoloration, as polishing your jewelry too often will not achieve any results.
Do not wear brass jewelry while swimming or showering. Also, avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, such as perfumes, household cleaners, makeup removers, or hairspray.
Store brass pieces in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to prevent metal oxidation and darkening patches.
Don’t let your brass jewelry rub against other items as it can cause scratches. If storing for a long time, use a felt pad between each piece to avoid scratching each other.

These simple and effective ways to clean brass jewelry at home will help keep it shiny for years to come. There are no hard and fast rules on how to care for brass jewelry – just use common sense and safe methods.

Do not get water on the metal or scrub hard. Make sure you don’t wear brass jewelry during strenuous activity to avoid accidentally scratching the metal. With a little care, cleaning and love, your beautiful jewelry can last forever.

Infographic: The Pros and Cons of Brass Jewelry

Before buying anything, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the item you are buying. With that in mind, we’ve decided to tell you the pros and cons of brass jewelry. Before buying any brass jewelry, check out the infographic below to find out what they are.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Brass jewelry is popular all over the world because it is unique, stylish, durable and affordable. However, maintaining the brilliance of brass jewelry can be challenging. But don’t worry. As long as you clean your brass jewelry at home by following the guidelines shared in this article, you’ll be able to deal with anything that’s darkened, scratched, or has dirt and grime building up in the corners. You can clean brass jewelry with basic household items like lemon juice and toothpaste, and the advantage is that it doesn’t cost much to bring it back to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cola clean brass?

Yes, Coca-Cola contains phosphoric and citric acid, which are great for removing stains and rust. Take some Coca-Cola and rub it on your brass jewelry. Hold for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with water to make jewelry clean and shiny.

Why is my brass black?

Continued exposure to air, salt, or the use of abrasive products can cause brass to darken.

How to clean brass with aluminum foil?

Take a plate or pan and line it with aluminum foil. Fill a plate with hot water and add baking soda. Place brass jewelry in hot water for 20 minutes. Rinse with water and let dry.

key takeaways

You can use ingredients like lemon juice and toothpaste in the pantry to clean brass jewelry.
Clean cast copper jewelry with warm water and dry overnight before polishing to reduce blemishes.
Dry with a soft cloth to prevent brass jewelry from tarnishing.