Brass hardware! So much beautiful goodness in Brass! I think as someone who paints furniture it can be very tempting to paint hardware on furniture. Sometimes it can be easier to paint the hardware than to remove all the hardware and clean it properly. Cleaning brass hardware can take more time. But, the depth and natural beauty it can bring to a piece of furniture is priceless! Plus you are bringing something back from years of gunk/goop /oils/and who knows what else. 🙂 Just think how happy it would make your grandma! She would love the fact that you cleaned her brass hardware instead of painting it!

How do you know if your Hardware is Brass?

I often get asked this question. People like to know if their hardware is real brass or the other alternative is plated brass.

What is Plating?

“Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. Plating has been done for hundreds of years; it is also critical for modern technology. Plating is used to decorate objects, for corrosion inhibition, to improve solderability, to harden, to improve wearability, to reduce friction, to improve paint adhesion, to alter conductivity, to improve IR reflectivity, for radiation shielding, and for other purposes. Jewelry typically uses plating to give a silver or gold finish.” – Wikipedia

Typically real brass hardware is HEAVY. When you pick it up it will feel like a weight. You will will be thinking “wow, this is heavier than any other hardware I’ve ever picked up.” Plated Brass hardware is light to the touch. There is no weight to it. Also when you clean plated brass it does not clean up as pretty as the real thing. BUT it does still clean up nicely. The pictures in this post are of hardware that was plated. Not the real thing. You can see there were a couple spots that did not shine up like the rest but, over all a great improvement!

Guide to Cleaning Brass Hardware Naturally

I love this cleaning method. It is simple and easy.

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Supplies you will need:

1. Vinegar – This is the main ingredient to cleaning your hardware naturally!
2. Latex Free Gloves – I say latex free bc I can’t stand the powder!
3. 0000 Steel Wool – 0000 is important. It is a must as it will protect you from scratching the hardware while you are scrubbing the gunk.
4. Tongs – Needed to remove hot hardware from pot
5. Pot- For boiling vinegar

To begin: Pour a small amount of vinegar into a pot. You want just enough to cover the tops of your hardware. Bring vinegar to a boil. Boil for 1 or two minutes. Remove hardware from pot with tongs and begin scrubbing with 0000 steel wool. You should see the gunk start to come off almost immediately as you are scrubbing. Scrub until your hardware is the perfect shiny brass hardware look you are wanting. Some people like to leave a little bit of the grim (I know that sounds strange) around the corners of the hardware to give an aged affect. This can make your hardware look naturally antiqued.

Once all brass hardware as been cleaned to your satisfaction you are done! Place hardware back on furniture and admire your work! 🙂

Why Cleaning Brass Hardware Naturally is important?

This method does not leave smears of white residue on your brass hardware. A lot of the products to clean brass hardware can leave white streaks and smudges after applying them to your brass. They can almost leave a foggy effect to your brass hardware. This method of cleaning brass hardware with give your furniture hardware instant shine.

Have you cleaned brass hardware before? If so, how did they turnout? I would love to hear! Please comment below. 🙂

CLICK HERE to watch how to clean brass hardware naturally! 🙂 And I’d love it if you followed me while you are there. 🙂 (Head to about 3:30 on the video and you’ll see me scrubbing the brass and it starting to look pretty again!) Watch the video below! I’ll show you how to clean brass hardware naturally!

CLICK HERE to learn how to chalk paint vintage furniture