HOW TO CLEAN BRASS

Made from a mix of zinc and copper, brass is commonly found in cookware, jewelry, musical instruments, and home décor. Over time, exposure to air, water, and other elements can cause this popular metal to tarnish or corrode.

Before cleaning, determine whether your piece is solid brass or brass-plated. An easy test is to hold a magnet to the item—if it sticks, the piece is plated, since magnets don't stick to solid brass. Brass-plated items should be cleaned gently, as aggressive rubbing or polishing can wear away the thin plating.

Regardless of type, avoid using abrasive pads, metal brushes, or steel wool, which can scratch and damage the surface. Instead, choose a non-abrasive cleaner such as Simple Green® Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner, which effectively removes dirt, oils, and grime without corroding metal or damaging finishes.

If your brass is lacquered and heavily tarnished, the lacquer must first be removed with a paint or varnish remover. Once the piece is cleaned and polished, you can reapply lacquer to protect the finish and keep your brass looking bright.

DIRECTIONS FOR CLEANING BRASS:

1. Dilute 1 part Simple Green® Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner with 3 parts water in a spray bottle or pump-up sprayer.
2. Spray Simple Green® Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner onto the surface.
3. Scrub using a wet, soft toothbrush to scrub, paying close attention to crevices.
4. Rinse the item with clean water or thoroughly wipe down with a damp cloth.
5. Dry. Buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
6. Polish. Simple Green safely cleans brass but does not polish it, so follow up with a polishing compound to shine.

TIP:

• Try to avoid touching your brass items as much as possible, as the oils in your skin can hasten tarnishing.
• Do not clean over asphalt.

Do not soak brass items in Simple Green Pro HD. Long soak times in any alkaline, water-based cleaner can cause dingy, grey discoloration.