Brass antique door knobs and handles are often the focal points in a room. However, over time it can become tarnished and full of dirt and debris. Dirty door knobs represent a lack of attention to detail, which is often a very negative trait to show when guests arrive. Therefore, it is necessary to clean your antique door knobs or antique sideboards with brass handles.
Read on for detailed instructions about cleaning methods on brass antiques for a pristine finish.
1. Tomato Ketchup
It sounds silly putting on tomato ketchup on your antique door knobs. This method works when the brass antiques suffer from mild dirt or grime. The method starts by putting on a small quantity of tomato ketchup over the entire brass door knob or handle. Leave it there for around five to ten minutes.
Now simply wipe the tomato ketchup off your brass accessories. Remember, do not rub the surface. Wipe it off; otherwise, it may leave undesirable marks on the brass surface.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is also effective when it comes to cleaning brass. It works well when you are experiencing a moderate level of tarnish on brass antiques. Yogurt, butter, and Sour milk are all good for cleaning brass. This is because they are acidic.
Simply apply a layer of Yogurt, buttermilk or sour milk over the brass antiques. Now, wait for some time, just around 5 to 10 minutes. Later rinse it with water and rub a cloth slightly to dry it. You will experience a clear difference in color after the cleaning process.
3. Vinegar, Flour, and Salt
The next method of cleaning the brass is using salt, flour, and vinegar. This is more suitable when facing moderate to hard grime on a tarnish on your brass antiques. The thing you need to do is mix each of the vinegar, flour, and salt, in an equal ratio. Prepare a paste and then apply it on the brass surfaces using a brush. Make sure to apply it uniformly and evenly.
Leave the paste there for around 10 to 30 minutes. It will react with the debris, dirt, and tarnish and remove it from the brass surfaces. You can remove the paste by either rubbing with a brush or wiping with a wet cloth. It will eradicate dirt or tarnish, leaving your antiques completely clean. However, you are going to experience a smell with this paste.
4. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
This way is similar to the above-mentioned method with just the difference of ingredients. In this process you need to prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and lemon juice. In my case half lemon and a teaspoon of baking soda did the work. You can prepare a paste and gently apply it over the brass surfaces.
Remember never to prepare a paste directly on the brass surface by putting the lemon and baking soda. The reason is lemon has a harsh effect and can result in scratches if you deal with it in an inappropriate manner.
After applying a paste, keep it there for about 10 to 15 minutes. Now wipe off gently. It will give you a clean and clear brass surface. When the cleaning process ends up, make sure to rinse the brass surface in warm water. This will add up to a better finish.
5. Table Salt and Lemon
Table salt and lemon has its own importance in cleaning antique brass surfaces. Mix a teaspoon of salt and half a lemon to form a paste. Apply this paste all over the surface which you want to clean.
Now keep it there for around 5 to 15 minutes. It dissolves all the dirt or tarnishes within by removing them from the surface. Now wipe down the surface or rinse in slightly warm water. Doing this will help you get a clean and refurbished antique brass surface.
6. Water and Vinegar
In case you don’t have enough time for cleaning your antique sideboards with brass handles or antique door knobs. Or if you have brass items involving fine details or larger sizes. Then you can practice this method for cleaning.
This method does not actively involve you throughout the process. This way, you can do other tasks at hand. Mix water and vinegar at 100:50. Now put all your brass antiques in this solution. Keep it soaked for a few hours. Later take out and dry them and you are ready to go. You will now have brass items with a new appearance.
Also read: How to Clean Your Carpet: A Carpet Cleaning Guide
