Caring for Brass
Brass develops one of the most beautiful patinas of any metal — a soft, complex warming over years. Or, polished, it stays bright forever. Your choice.
To patinate or polish
Both are correct. It is purely a matter of taste.
If you want a patina
Do nothing. Brass darkens naturally from oxygen, moisture, and skin oils — a gentle, warm patina builds over months and years. Many people consider this the most beautiful state for brass.
If you want bright brass
Polish every 1–3 months with a brass-specific polish (Brasso, Astonish brass polish). Apply small amount with a soft cloth, buff in circles, wipe clean.
Day-to-day care
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth weekly. That's it for most pieces.
- Avoid abrasive cloths (microfibre included) — they leave fine scratches on satin finishes.
- Don't use household cleaners with bleach or ammonia — they pit brass.
- Wear cotton gloves when handling polished brass if you want to keep it bright — finger oils accelerate tarnish.
If brass turns very dark
If a piece has built up heavy tarnish (not patina — actual dark green or black), clean with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Apply with a cloth, leave for 5 minutes, rinse with warm water, dry immediately.
Sealing
Most decorative brass is lacquered (sealed) by the maker. This keeps it bright with zero maintenance for 1–2 years before the lacquer wears thin and tarnish begins.
Unlacquered brass starts tarnishing immediately — and most people who buy it do so deliberately.
Brass is one of the few decorative materials that quite literally improves with neglect. The patina that develops from doing nothing at all is something polish can never replicate.