How to Clean & Polish a Brass Bed

Brass is a beautiful, rich metal that can add warmth to any room. For decades, bed headboards and footboards were prized when made of gleaming brass. These beds are less commonly found on furniture showroom floors today. Instead, they are often passed down from one generation to the next or located in an antique store. Aged brass beds are usually still structurally strong, but may have become dirty and tarnished. Fortunately, with the right materials, you can restore a tarnished brass bed to its original luster.

Brass polish, such as Brasso
Bowl
Salt
Flour
Vinegar
Bucket
Rags
Mild detergent
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Clear the area around the bed of any bedding to avoid transferring dirt and product onto the fabrics.
- 2
  Wipe all surfaces of the bed with a cloth to remove any surface dust.
- 3
  Put on cotton gloves to protect the bed from fingerprints during polishing.
- 4
  Mix 5 tbsp. salt and 1 cup flour in a bowl. Pour in enough white household vinegar to make a paste. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water.
- 5
  Dip a cloth into the paste and rub into the brass. Fold and turn the cloth to use a clean surface as the used area darkens. Allow the paste to dry. Dip a clean cloth in the bucket of water, wring out and wipe all surfaces of the bed clean.
- 6
  Apply brass polish directly to a cloth. Beginning at one corner of the bed and working your way in a logical pattern, rub the cloth onto the brass in a circular pattern to bring out shine. Change cloths frequently to avoid transferring tarnish.
- 7
  Fill the bucket with clean water and a mild detergent. Wipe the brass clean and remove all moisture from the brass surface with a clean cloth.

Airbed Air Mattress Buying Guide

How to Haul a Mattress

Bedroom Furniture