Q&A for How to Clean Brass

The bathtub is actually a good place to soak your brass items.

Use a brass instrument cleaning cloth. They are very cheap at music stores, or you can buy them online.

Wet the railing with vinegar, then sprinkle with salt. Wipe down the railing with a vinegar-dampened rag.

Use 150 grit wet sandpaper to remove the tarnish. Follow this up by polishing with Brasso and elbow grease.

You could try using heat to carefully melt the wax and then wipe it off with a cloth.

If the engraving is not too deep and it is a thick piece, try sand polishing. Sand down the engraving with 200 grit sand paper and slowly work your way up to around 1000 or 2000 grit ultra fine sand paper.

You should remove the door handles and locks first. There are online tutorials on how to remove a doorknob -- it's very easy. You can then clean/polish the handle following this wikiHow guide.

It depends on the brass's exposure to air, the amount of handling it receives, and its location. A good practice is to dust brass items weekly to prevent grime buildup and to check for signs of tarnish.

Create a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and salt, then apply the paste to the brass surfaces. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to break down the tarnish.

To clean brass items with intricate etchings, make a paste of equal parts white vinegar, flour, and salt. Apply the paste gently with a soft paintbrush to reach the etched areas without leaving threads. Let it sit for about an hour, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft, non-lint cloth or a hairdryer on a cool setting.