Things You'll Need
Bucket
Dish soap
Rough cloths
1 cup vinegar
Salt
Boiled linseed oil
Lint-free cloths
Brass rails, especially those that are well-used along stairwells, tend to tarnish and become dirty over time. They attract oils and dirt from hands and arms, which in turn ruins their luster. Return them to a high shine by first removing all the unattractive tarnish, then polishing them so they look like new. Brass mellows and develops a slight patina with age, so use the proper cleaners so that it retains this natural luster without looking grimy.
Step 1
Fill a bucket with hot tap water. Add two to three squirts of mild dishwashing soap.
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Step 2
Wash the rail with the soapy water and a rough cloth. Scrub away any dirt or grime. The soap will not remove tarnish.
Step 3
Heat 1 cup of vinegar in the microwave for two to three minutes. Soak a rag in the vinegar solution then dip it into a bowl of table salt.
Step 4
Scrub any heavily tarnished areas with the vinegar and salt until the tarnish is removed. Reapply the vinegar and salt to the rag as needed.
Step 5
Wash the vinegar and salt solution from the rail with the hot soapy water. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry.
Step 6
Moisten a lint-free cloth with boiled linseed oil. Rub the oil into the rail, polishing it to an even luster. Wipe the excess oil from the rail with a clean cloth.
Tip
Remove corrosion from brass by rubbing a cut lemon on the area. Dip the lemon in salt first to provide some abrasive action.
Warning
Enlist a professional restorationist to clean antique brass.
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