Copper and brass are soft materials that need to be cleaned carefully. Usually all you have to do is wash with mild detergent and warm water and dry with a soft, clean cloth. But sometimes brass and copper become tarnished and you have to use other methods that won't damage your copper and brass. There are many copper and brass cleaners on the market and many others you can make at home. Does this Spark an idea?
Function
The function of brass and copper cleaner is to remove tarnish and stains from your objects without damaging them. Newer brass and copper items usually come with a protective coating, but using hot water can cause the coating to peel. Sometimes corrosion occurs under protective coating because of small cracks and pinholes in the coating that let water vapor contact the metal. If this happens, the coating has to be removed and a brass and copper cleaner needs to be used on the piece. There are brass cleaners for brass items, copper cleaners for copper pieces, and brass and copper cleaners that clean both.
Types
Copper and brass cleaners come in many forms. You can try liquid, powder, cream or paste. Since cleaning copper and brass is a two-step process, you may need two different types of products. You need to clean your copper and brass, then you need to polish it. If you don't want to use different products, many types of copper and brass cleaners have a thin coat of oil to form a barrier between the item and air.
Identification
Some of the most popular brass and copper cleaners on the market are Brasso, Copper Glo, Barkeeper's Friend and Twinkle. These and most metal polishes have chemical solvents and detergents to take off tarnish, gentle abrasives to polish the brass and copper and oil to help keep pieces from tarnishing in the future. Chemical brass cleaners like English Custom Metal Polish and Restorer as well as commercial copper cleaners like Wright's Copper Cream work as well.
Considerations
Many household items can be used to make your own copper and brass cleaners. Soaking your brass and copper in Coca-Cola for 2 days fades and loosens tarnish. Use a soft toothbrush and a cleaner like Twinkle to remove the tarnish. Make a paste by mixing a cup of white vinegar with 3 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of salt. Put the paste on the copper or brass, rub it in gently and let it dry. Rinse the paste off with cold water and polish it with a soft, dry cloth. If you're out of vinegar, you can use lemon juice. Lactic acid in milk is a good tarnish remover. Soak your brass and copper items in 2 cups of milk mixed with 2 cups of warm water. Mix a cup of lemon juice with 3 tablespoons of cream of tartar and 5 drops of orange oil to form a paste. Gently rub the paste into your object and let it dry. Rinse with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth. For a quick cleaning, dip a slice of lemon into salt and rub the copper and brass in a circular motion. Follow up homemade copper and brass cleaners with a thin coating of olive oil. Rub the olive oil in a circulation motion with a soft cloth. For more protection, you can spray a coat of clear lacquer like Krylon onto your copper and brass.
Warning
Don't overuse polishes. Too much polish smudges and can discolor the surface. Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia that can crack, etch or age brass and copper. Make sure your polish doesn't contain carnauba or beeswax. They're acidic and can damage copper and brass. Even if they don't, they're very porous and tarnish can form under them.
Tags: brass copper, brass cleaners, copper brass, copper brass, copper cleaners, with soft, your copper
