Brass Bathroom Faucet Cleaning And Polishing

A brass bathroom faucet can be harder to maintain than other fixtures in the home, because it is a harder metal to clean. But you can keep your brass faucet looking vibrant, clean and new with a few tips for regular maintenance.

Routine Cleaning

Keeping brass clean isn’t hard, but it does take regular cleaning and effort. To avoid tarnishing, make sure you make the cleaning part of your daily or weekly chores. Normally, a damp cloth is all it takes to shine up a brass faucet. Abrasive cleaners can actually damage brass, but if the damp cloth alone doesn’t cut it, try a mix of warm, soapy water with the cloth. Also be sure you dry the brass completely once done cleaning, which will prevent water spots and further damage.

Tarnish

Some people enjoy the look of tarnish on some pieces. It can add a certain charm to some fixtures and pieces. But if you aren’t going for an antique look, then tarnish can be a real challenge to remove. You can find special formulas in most hardware stores that promise to remove tarnish on brass. They can range from inexpensive to high-end, and you'll need to read the directions on the bottles carefully before purchase or use. Some of these products are designed to clean light tarnish, and others will require several steps and will remove heavier buildup.

If you prefer to try a natural cleaner, vinegar works great on tarnish. The vinegar will break down the tarnish and make it much easier to wipe away. For extra cleaning power, warm the vinegar up first.

Fingerprints

Did you know that if you touch brass, the oils on your skin can leave behind fingerprints that may not show up for months? When you are cleaning brass, be sure to wear gloves to avoid this problem.

Ketchup

Yes, ketchup. The citric acid in ketchup does wonderful things for brass. It cleans and shines it without much effort. Use a soft, dry cloth that is free of lint to apply it. Put a small amount of ketchup on the cloth and gently rub it in to the brass fixture, then, with a clean cloth, rub the ketchup off completely. You may need to rinse away residue with some water, but make sure you have it dry before you walk away.

Homemade Polish Paste

Another wonderful, easy to make cleaner can be found in your kitchen cabinets. A teaspoon of salt, a half-cup of distilled vinegar and about three tablespoons of flour will make a paste you can use to polish metals such as brass. Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, and add the flour until a paste forms. Use this concoction by rubbing it onto the faucet or other fixture. Then, let it sit for about 10 minutes and wipe it away with a damp cloth. Your brass will be as clean and shiny as the day you installed it.

Keep It Dry

Since you’re dealing with a bathroom faucet, keeping it dry may be a challenge, but can help keep the metal clean. Just keep a soft cloth nearby to wipe it down when you remember to. This will help prevent spotting and tarnish.