Brass jewelry has a rather attractive, albeit moderate, shimmer, but, as it begins to get dirty and therefore dull, its shimmer begins to get less and less sparkling. Almost always, a simple cleaning with soap and water will be enough to remove all the dirt from frequent use. However, if your jewelry is starting to dull, or if it looks dull, you may need to use more advanced techniques.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Basic Cleaning
Step 1. Close the sink cap
You will have to work on the sink. Even if you are not clumsy, the water and soap you use will make the jewelry more slippery than normal. If you didn't close the cap and it slipped out of your hands as you clean it, it would go down the drain.
Step 2. Wash it under warm running water
Use your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush to wipe away any visible dirt as you rinse it. Rub it gently, as too much aggression could scratch it. If you can't get dirt off the inside of a chain link or other hard-to-reach areas, don't worry. Stubborn dirt can usually be weakened by leaving the jewel immersed.
Step 3. Fill a small bowl with warm, soapy water
Use a very mild soap, such as a mild dish soap. More aggressive cleaners could damage the brass, and scented or specially formulated soaps could leave behind residues that can affect the luster of the brass. Use your hands to mix the soap and water until the soap has completely dissolved, and soap bubbles have begun to form on the surface of the bowl.
Step 4. Place the jewelry inside the bowl
Leave it to soak for five to ten minutes. By doing so, the particles of dirt that are inside the links of the chains, or in any other place that is difficult to reach, will soften and then detach from the surface of the jewel.
Step 5. Rub the jewelry gently
Use a soft, clean cotton cloth to scrub the jewelry underwater. Use your thumb to guide the cloth over the surface of the jewelry in small circular motions, focusing more on the edges than the inside. Don't apply too much pressure.
If you want, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush instead of a cloth
Step 6. Rinse the jewelry again
Rinse each brass piece again under lukewarm running water to remove any soap residue. Make sure the sink stopper is closed before proceeding.
Step 7. Let the jewelry air dry
Lay it flat on a clean towel or paper towel for 30 minutes, or until dry. You can also gently polish the jewelry with a clean cloth to speed up the drying process, but you will probably still have to wait for it to air dry so that there is no more water inside.
Method 2 of 5: Remove the Opacity with Ketchup
Step 1. Apply some ketchup to a soft, clean cloth
A small drop should be enough for cleaning most small to medium sized jewelry: rings, bracelets, chokers.
Step 2. Rub the ketchup over the entire surface of the jewel
Focus on the most dull areas. The acid in the tomatoes should be strong enough to dissolve the dirt that causes the opacity, but weak enough not to damage the brass.
Step 3. Remove the ketchup
Use a dry cloth to remove most of the ketchup, then complete the removal with a damp cloth.
Step 4. Polish the jewelry with a dry cloth
Use circular motions and be gentle.
Method 3 of 5: Remove the Opacity with a Vinegar Paste
Step 1. Make a paste with vinegar, salt and flour
Mix 5ml of salt and 125ml of white vinegar, continuing until completely dissolved. Now add flour until everything has a pasty consistency.
Step 2. Rub the resulting paste onto the brass
Focus on the more opaque areas, since the paste is only effective against opacity, and not against ordinary dirt. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Step 3. Rinse the jewelry under lukewarm water
Close the sink cap and run running water over the jewelry. Make sure you remove all traces of the paste.
Step 4. Rub the jewelry dry using a soft, dry cloth
If necessary, allow it to air dry to remove moisture from internal crevices as well.
Method 4 of 5: Remove the opacity with a vinegar-based rinse
Step 1. Make a solution of water, vinegar and salt
Dissolve 60ml of salt and 60ml of white vinegar in 500ml of boiling water.
Step 2. Dip a cloth or brush into the solution
Use a clean, soft cloth, or soft-bristled toothbrush.
Step 3. Apply the solution to the opaque areas
Gently scrub the brass with the cloth or toothbrush. Keep scrubbing until you notice the opacity decreasing, but be gentle so you don't break the links of any chains or other fragile parts of your jewelry.
Step 4. Dry the jewelry with a clean cloth
You may need to let it air dry, depending on how wet it got.
Method 5 of 5: Clean with Lemon Juice
Step 1. Dip a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush in some lemon juice
The lemon acid is able to remove dirt and restore some lost luster to your brass.
Step 2. Rub the lemon juice on the jewelry
Use gentle circular motions, as if you are polishing it.
Step 3. Clean up the jewel
Use a damp cloth instead of a dry one. It is critically important that you remove all lemon juice from the jewelry, as leaving the lemon acid in contact with the brass for too long could damage the brass.
Step 4. Dry it with a soft cloth
Remove as much water as you can with a dry cotton cloth. If there is water you can't reach, let the jewelry air dry.
Advice
- If you have a mild allergy to brass, your skin may take on a greenish tint after wearing jewelry made from that material. You can prevent this by applying clear nail polish to the parts of the jewelry that come in contact with your skin.
- Make sure the jewelry is made entirely of brass, and not just brass plated. Plated pieces should only be cleaned using the basic method, the one with soap and water; any other more aggressive substance could harm them. Test them by bringing a magnet close to it - if the magnet sticks, it's probably plated jewelry.
- Avoid using jewelry cleaning products unless it is clearly stated that they can be used on brass. You should also inquire if any stones in the jewelry could be damaged by the chosen product, before using it.
- If you have antique brass jewelry, have it appraised before cleaning. For antique brass jewelry, the opacity adds value, instead of taking it away.
