How to Clean the Tarnish From a Brass Fixture

Un-lacquered Brass

• 1

  Combine equal parts of non-iodized salt, lemon juice and cornstarch and mix them into a thick paste.

• 2

  Apply the cleansing paste to a clean, soft washcloth and rub it thoroughly on all surfaces of the fixture. Make certain to work the paste into and around any designs that exist on the fixture.

• 3

  Rinse small fixtures by immersing them in a sink full of water and rubbing them with a washcloth. Take as much time as necessary to thoroughly rinse all of the paste from larger fixtures with a washcloth heavily dampened with clean water.

• 4

  Polish the fixture dry with a clean, soft absorbent cloth. Use a hairdryer set on the medium setting to further dry the hard to reach places.

Lacquered Brass

• 5

  Mix a solution of 1 part mild detergent to 9 parts lukewarm water. Place the water temperature at a level that is comfortable to work in with bare hands. Do not use hot water.

• 6

  Wash the fixture thoroughly but gently with a clean washcloth. Do not immerse small fixtures in the soap solution and use a well-dampened washcloth for larger fixtures.

• 7

  Rinse the brass fixtures by gently rubbing them with a wet washcloth until all soap residue is removed.

• 8

  Dry the fixture first with a soft, absorbent towel and then use a hairdryer set on the medium setting to dry hard to reach places.