Brass door knobs and brass door handles are a prominent feature in many homes as they add a touch of class and style to any home. Despite their popularity, brass door knobs can be difficult to keep clean and polished due to their texture and material. Follow our guides below: a natural, homemade cleaning method and a straight-out-of-the-bottle method for easy use.
Natural Cleaning of Brass Door Knobs
The methods for cleaning brass doorknobs can alter depending on whether your brass door knob is lacquered or unlacquered. There is a quick and easy way to test this- if you hold a magnet to your item and sticks then it is not brass, but more likely brass plated. To clean a brass plated item, simply use water and mild detergent applied with a microfibre cloth or sponge. Anything more abrasive can remove the brass plating.
For non lacquered brass door knobs, it is recommended to use either lemon juice or white vinegar, salt and flour.
- Straight lemon juice can be used to clean brass and bring back any shine and shimmer. To clean using lemon juice, simply coat the door knob with lemon juice and then wipe it away with a damp cloth and polish it. You can also use a small amount of salt on the rim of lemon and apply using the lemon half for an added polish for a tarnished item.
- Vinegar is a staple for home cleaning. To use vinegar for cleaning, simply mix 1 teaspoon of salt into one half cup of vinegar and then add flour until the mixture becomes a paste. Rub this paste onto the brass knob and then leave for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes has passed, rinse the knobs with warm water and then polish it for an extra shine.
Sometimes it may be best to leave door knobs polished. Antique brass door handles may require an expert opinion before they are cleaned as tarnishing may add to the value, or cleaning may damage the door fixtures beyond repair.
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Cleaning Product Method for Brass Door Handles
For a simple method to clean your brass door knob sets, all you will need is a metal cleaning product. This is the most popular method as it is quick and easy but does require purchasing additional cleaning materials that you may not have freely around the home.
- Clean the brass hardware with lukewarm water- If possible, remove the hardware from the door and wipe a soft cloth over it to remove any dust and debris. Then, submerge the brass into lukewarm water for a couple of minutes. If the hardware is extremely careful, add a small amount of soap or detergent to the water. After the fixture has been submerged, move onto the next step immediately without drying
- Sprinkle the brass door knobs with powdered cleaner- Now that the hardware is fully wet, sprinkle on a powdered cleaning agent until the fixture is completely covered
- Scrub the fixture gently to buff it- Use a soft bristled brush or toothbrush to gently buff the fixture's surface. The applied cleanser will begin to create a paste and begin removing the tarnish. Add more metal cleanser and water if there is heavy tarnish build up.
- Rinse the door knob- Once the metal has been cleaned to your standard, rinse the door knob with lukewarm water. After rinsing, take a damp lint-free dry cloth or kitchen towel to dry and polish the door knob. Ensure the door knob is fully dry to reduce re-tarnishing.
Top Brass Door Knobs Cleaning Tips
Extra reassurance may be needed when cleaning antique brass door handles and brushed brass door handles. Provided below are a number of additional top tips from experts for the how to clean brass door knobs:
- Don’t use hard water to clean your brass handles. If you live in a hard water area, use filtered water or distilled water to leave your fixture streak free
- Make sure you use a soft, non-abrasive cleaning cloth
- Don’t use bleach or any cleaning solutions that may include chloride. Bleach and chloride products can cause staining and long term damage of your brass door knobs.
- Clean the brass fixtures as often as you clean other surfaces. This will allow you to keep on top of tarnishing and reduce long term damage.
