Sentry Page Protection

Tip Store: Cleaning: Metals

​Save the Price of Silver Polish

An easy way to clean silver is to put crumpled aluminium foil into the bottom of a saucepan large enough to hold the silver, add a tablespoon of bi carb soda and bring to boil. Add silver, making sure the water covers each item completely, and simmer until you can see the tarnish is gone. Long lasting as well, I did my silver 12 months ago and it just needs another go now. I hope this is helpful.
​- Contributed by Robyn, Bunbury, 20th January 2010

​Never Clean Brass Again!

Once you have cleaned your brass, did you know you can lacquer (clear paint) it and then you'll never need to clean it again!!
​Contributed by Bindii, Richardson, 28th August 2009

​How to Clean Brass

​The tarnish removal process is not without some “ugliness”; after all, you'll be removing years of dirt! Items Needed: Large container (large enough to put each leg of the table in) (try Bunnings etc) - you can do each leg one at a time. White vinegar Table salt Hot tap water Rubber gloves Soap/steel wool pad (‘Brillo', ‘SOS', etc.) Clear enamel spray paint (optional; only for non-food, non-heat use items). Instructions: Place the brass piece(s) in the container. Pour in approximately 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Add 1 tablespoon of table salt. Add enough hot tap water to cover the brass piece(s). Let soak for 15-20 minutes. Final Clean: Suggestion: Since the salt, vinegar and water solution can be quite strong on skin contact, you may want to wear rubber gloves for this part. Remove piece from container (I usually take out just one item at a time, allowing the rest to soak a bit longer). Using soap-pad and warm, clean tap water, gently rub the brass piece until you see the shine come through. Repeat all around the object until entire surface shines equally. Rinse under warm, clean water. Dry immediately with soft cloth or towel, to prevent water spotting. If the piece(s) you've just cleaned are purely “decorative” and are not designed to be used for any foodstuffs nor to be subjected to heat, you may want to preserve the new “shine” by spraying the piece(s) with a clear enamel, available at most home centres or hardware stores. Remember to spray two or three light coats rather than one heavy coat, to prevent “runs”. - Contributed by Carla, Balga, 28th August 2009

​Have Some Sauce With Your Brass?

Believe it or not, tomato sauce is a great cleaner of Brasso! Our boys have brass buckles etc on the belt of their Boys Brigade uniforms and a bit of sauce on an old toothbrush gives the best clean ever! No elbow grease required :-)
​-Contributed by Jane, New Zealand, 28th August 2009

​Elbow Grease Reveals the Shine

​I recently cleaned some completely tarnished brass strips in front door side lights. Brasso didn't move any tarnish. I used a combination of steel wool and a non-scratch silver curly scourer from the supermarket. That and a bit of elbow grease did the trick. Finish off with some Brasso to bring up the shine after all the green tarnish is gone.
​- Contributed by Jenni, Balwyn, 28th August 2009

​Worcestershire Sauce Does the Job

I use Worcestershire sauce to clean brass. Pour a little on a soft cloth and rub onto the brass then wipe off with a damp clean cloth and all the discolouring just comes away. To get into any small areas us a soft toothbrush dipped in Worcestershire sauce and wipe again with a damp clean cloth. Good luck.
​-Contributed by Brenda, Belmont, 28th August 2009

​Lemon Wedges & Salt Clean Up Brass

Dip a wedge of lemon into some salt and rub it over the brass. Use a toothbrush with lemon juice and salt to get into any fiddly bits. Polish with a soft cloth and you will love your clean brass.
​- Contributed by Miki, Castle Hill, 26th August 2009

​Easy Cleaning for Silver

Approximate $ Savings: $5 plus For cleaning silver or plate or spoons use toothpaste and a damp soft cloth have another dry cloth to polish. It removes tarnish with a little elbow grease. It is chemical free which I like as I have just finished chemo and like as much natural as possible. If there are grooves use an old tooth brush, they are great recycled for cleaning.
​- Contributed by Jan, Cobram, January 27th 2007

​To Clean Brass and Silver

Silver: first always rinse the silver after you have cleaned, as it will re-tarnish. To prevent silver from tarnishing again after you have cleaned it rub it over with petroleum jelly. Cover the silver to be cleaned with sour milk, allow to stand for 1/2 hr, then wash clean making sure it all has been removed. Brass: apply a mixture of salt and lemon juice then rinse, a small brush for fancy patterns. Leave on for a little while then rinse off with warm water and rub it dry with a soft cloth.
​- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, August 17th 2006

Copper Cleaner

To clean copper use tartaric acid (you'll find it in a small pot on the supermarket shelf) the juice of 1 lemon, a generous squeeze washing up liquid and hot water. Soak and wash off tarnish, dry whilst still warm.
​- Contributed by Belinda, Bayswater, July 17th 2006

​Easy Off Silver Tarnish

​I have discovered that BAM does a super job it also cleans copper. Hope this is a help.
​- Contributed by Pauline, Petrie, July 16th, 2006.

​To Clean a Silver Mirror Frame

Wrap silver mirror in aluminium foil. In a separate pan, dissolve a bit of salt and 1-2 cups bicarb soda. Technically the water should be hot when poured over the silver in Alfoil, but I guess this would crack the mirror, so I would wait until water is tepid then cover aluminium parcel and leave a while.
​- Contributed by Belinda, Bayswater, July 17th 2006

​Generic Toothpaste

​I use generic toothpaste on a fine handkerchief to clean silver, especially sleepers. The fluoride type of toothpaste, not the gel kind, will clean off all the tarnish. You will need more elbow grease, but the cost is far cheaper. - Contributed by Anne, Broadview, July 19th, 2006

​Basic Brass Cleaner

Use bi-carb and vinegar to clean brass. Sprinkle the pot or whatever with bi-carb and then dip a clean cloth in white vinegar and scrub it with an old toothbrush or bottle brush.
​- Contributed by Jenny, Greensborough, August 19th, 2006

​How to Clean Brass

To clean badly tarnished brass, soak in a mixture of lemon juice and salt overnight. The next day get some clean lemon juice and salt and rub it on with a soft cloth. Rinse off with warm water and buff with a clean, dry soft cloth.
​- Contributed by Catherine, Bayswater, August 20th, 2006

​Easy Silver Cleaning

I've just had the same problem and after trying toothpaste that was a complete waste of time - especially when it got stuck in all the grooves, I remembered a technique using aluminium foil. It involved gently boiling water and placing a sheet of foil in the bottom of a pan and then immersing the object in it. It takes the tarnish straight off and turns the foil dull and black. But you cannot immerse a mirror in water so I adapted the idea and got a piece of Alfoil, dipped it in water and started rubbing - the results were amazing and it all came up shiny without even a polish. Keep a soft clean cloth with you to wipe the black off as you go. The great thing about the foil was that I was able to mould it into the crevices and there was no chemical, no paste and no mess! I am not sure if you should try that on brass though?? (PS when you are rubbing, it gets a strange smell)
​- Contributed by Candice, Kilmore, August 19th, 2006

​Copper Polish

​To polish copper, mix vinegar with salt, rub gently onto the copper, and rinse off with warm water. You will have beautiful, shining copper.