Brass Pan Cleaning: Tips For Sparkling Results

Brass is a beautiful metal that can be found in a variety of household items, from copper pans and vases to door knockers and cabinet handles. Over time, brass can become tarnished and lose its shine due to exposure to oxygen, water, natural oils from our skin, and other elements. While some people appreciate the vintage look of unpolished brass, others may prefer to restore their brass items to their former gleaming glory. This can be achieved through various cleaning methods, ranging from simple household remedies to commercial brass cleaners. In the following paragraphs, we will explore different approaches to cleaning brass and provide step-by-step guides to achieving that desired shine.

Cleaning a Brass Pan

Lemon and salt

To clean a brass pan with lemon and salt, start by washing away any surface dust and grime. Submerge the pan in warm, soapy water (using liquid dish soap) to remove dust and grease. If the pan cannot be submerged, dip a cloth in the soapy water and wipe away loose dirt.

Next, make a lemon scrubber by slicing a lemon in half and dipping the cut edges in table salt. Rub the salt-coated lemon over the surface of the brass pan. Reapply salt as needed.

After scrubbing the pan with the lemon and salt, prepare a lemon juice paste by mixing one cup of salt with one-fourth cup of lemon juice. Apply the paste to the pan with a sponge or cloth and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing the item clean with a damp sponge.

Finally, rinse and buff the pan with a lint-free microfiber cloth to remove any remaining tarnish and to restore shine.

Note that if your brass pan has a delicate finish, it is best to avoid this technique as scrubbing may cause unintended damage. Additionally, be careful not to scrub too hard, as rub marks may be left behind.

Flour, salt, and vinegar

To clean a brass pan with flour, salt, and vinegar, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, check that your brass pan is not lacquered. Lacquered brass has a clear coat and will not tarnish. If your pan is lacquered, it is best to clean it with a damp cloth, using as little water as possible, and then dry it.

If your pan is not lacquered, you can make a cleaning paste by mixing equal parts of flour, salt, and vinegar in a bowl. The precise measurements will depend on how much brass you are cleaning, but you want to create a thick, spreadable paste.

Once you have your paste, use a soft, microfiber cloth to rub it onto the brass pan, covering the entire surface and targeting any particularly stained or tarnished areas.

Let the paste sit on the pan for about an hour. After this, use a damp cloth to rinse the paste off, ensuring you remove all residue. Finally, dry the pan thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth.

This method is a safe and inexpensive way to clean your brass pan and restore its shine.

Ketchup

Cleaning Brass with Ketchup

Cleaning Small Brass Objects

• Wash the item with warm water and a mild washing-up liquid.
• Rub the soapy mixture into the surface with your fingers or a microfibre cloth.
• Place the item in a clean bowl and cover it with ketchup, ensuring every inch is covered.
• Push the item around in the bowl to ensure the ketchup gets into all the nooks and crannies.
• If the item is hollow, rub plenty of ketchup inside.
• Remove the item from the bowl and wipe a small amount of ketchup off a corner.
• If the tarnish has been removed, wash the item in warm soapy water. If not, return it to the bowl and wait a little longer, checking every 15 minutes.
• If necessary, work the sauce into the brass item with your fingers or a soft toothbrush.
• When the object is no longer tarnished, clean it in warm soapy water.
• Use a microfibre cloth or a very soft toothbrush to work the dried ketchup out of the nooks.
• Rinse the item and dry it with a soft, dry cloth.
• Buff the brass to make it shiny.

Cleaning Larger Brass Objects

• Cover the floor around the brass object.
• Fill a bucket with warm water and washing-up liquid.
• Grab a clean microfibre cloth and start to wipe the surface you need to clean with a cloth dipped in the soapy water.
• Pour some ketchup into a shallow bowl.
• Dip a microfibre cloth or soft toothbrush into the ketchup and rub it into the surface, working it into all the little gaps.
• Apply a thin layer of ketchup, in case of spillages.
• Continuously work the ketchup into the tarnished brass surface.
• Rub some sauce off the surface to check if it is getting cleaner.
• Leave the ketchup on the surface for up to two hours, keeping an eye on it.
• When the brass is no longer tarnished, clean the ketchup off with a damp cloth.
• Repeat the previous step until all the ketchup has been removed, paying attention to all the nooks and crannies.
• Rinse your cloth regularly so you don't re-apply ketchup to the surface.
• Wipe the surface dry with a cloth.
• Buff the surface with a dry cloth to make it shiny.

How Long to Leave Ketchup on Brass

If your brass is lightly tarnished, leave the ketchup on the surface for at least 15 minutes. For badly tarnished objects, leave for up to two hours, but keep an eye on it.

Soap and water

If your brass pan is brass-plated, the safest way to clean it is with soap and water. Using a polishing method could remove the plating.

To clean your brass pan with soap and water, start by making a warm bath for your pan in a clean container and mix in a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Next, soak the pan for a few seconds and scrub it with a microfiber cloth or a clean toothbrush to remove any stains. The warm water and soap will do some of the work, but this method might still require some elbow grease!

Once all the tarnish is gone, remove the pan from the soapy water and rinse it. Finally, wipe the pan dry with a clean cloth.

If you are looking for a non-chemical way to clean your brass pan, you can try a flour/vinegar paste. To make the paste, mix one teaspoon of salt into half a cup of vinegar. Then, add flour until the liquid becomes a paste. Spread the paste over the brass and let it sit for an hour, then rinse and buff the pan.

Chemical-based cleaner

If you're looking for a chemical-based cleaner to restore shine to your brass pan, there are several products available. Before you start, it's important to determine whether your pan is solid brass or brass-plated. A simple way to do this is by using a magnet—if it sticks, it's not solid brass. For brass-plated items, it's best to stick to soap and water to avoid damaging the plating.

Brasso

Brasso is a popular chemical cleaner for brass. To use it, apply the product to a soft, clean cloth and buff it into the surface of the brass. Once the entire surface is covered, use another clean cloth to remove any remaining product and buff the pan to a shine. Brasso is known to lighten the colour of brass, remove heavy buildup, and restore shine.

Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is another chemical cleaner that can tackle both rust and tarnish on brass items. It's not clear from sources how to use this product, but it's likely a similar process to Brasso.

Blue Magic

Blue Magic is a chemical cleaner that can remove tarnish and oxidation from brass. It's a good option for brass jewellery, watch faces, and vintage tea sets.

Citric Acid and Lemon Oil

For a more intensive clean, you can use an ultrasonic cleaner machine with a solution of citric acid and lemon oil. Mix one cup of citric acid with three-quarters of a tablespoon of lemon oil using a food processor, and place the mixture in a jar. Then, add about 12 cups of water to your ultrasonic machine, along with about two teaspoons of the citric acid mixture and a few drops of dish soap. Run the machine for about 30 minutes. Once the items are dry, you can rub on a thin layer of car wax to create a protective coating and prevent future tarnish. This method is best for non-food items like door knockers and outdoor lighting fixtures.

Vinegar and Flour

While vinegar and flour are natural ingredients, this combination can also be considered a chemical-based cleaner. Combine equal parts vinegar and flour, along with a small amount of salt, to create a paste. Rub the paste onto your brass pan and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing and buffing it dry with a clean cloth.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a surprisingly effective chemical cleaner for brass due to its mild acidity. Apply a small amount to a microfiber cloth and scrub the pan, then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Be sure to spot-test before using Coca-Cola to ensure it doesn't discolour your pan.

Frequently asked questions