DIY Salt-Free Brass Cleaner: Simple & Effective Polish

Lemon juice is a common ingredient in many cleaning products.

Salt is a common ingredient in many homemade brass cleaners, often used in combination with lemon juice or vinegar. Yet, not all inexpensive homemade brass cleaners call for salt. Make your own salt-free cleaner and polish, using baking soda or rottenstone.

Baking Powder

Step 1

Pour 4 tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl.

Step 2

Add several drops of lemon juice and stir.

Step 3

Continue adding lemon juice until you have the consistency of paste. Rub onto the brass with a soft cloth to clean and polish. Rinse off with water and buff dry.

Rottenstone

Step 1

Add about 4 tablespoons of rottenstone to a bowl.

Step 2

Add a drop of vegetable oil to the bowl and stir.

Step 3

Continue adding a drop at a time and stirring until you have the consistency of paste. Rub onto the brass with a soft cloth, wiping off any oil residue that remains after cleaning and polishing with a clean, soft cloth.

Tip

Rottenstone is fine-powdered rock available online or in hardware stores.

If you have unlacquered brass and don't mind using salt, instead reach into the refrigerator and grab the Worcestershire sauce to use as a cleaning and polishing compound.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda

• Bowl

• Lemon juice

• Spoon

• Soft cloths

• Rottenstone

• Vegetable oil