3 Easy Methods To Clean Brass Candle Holders

The brass candle holders will give your space and home a timeless beauty and elegant touch. That is how you may find such pieces being used to adorn the dining table, mantels, and other spaces. Such gold candle holders simply have a way of adding sophistication and warmth to an environment. 

As much as brass candle holders can be good for you, they will lose their luster and become dull over time. The tarnished appearance might not be what you want to see daily. As such, properly cleaning the candle holders is vital to be left with shining ones again. 

Importance of Cleaning and Maintaining Brass Candle Holders

Cleaning and maintaining these brass candle holders is not just about the visual appeal. Multiple benefits come with cleaning brass candle holders.

• Retaining the overall beauty of the candle holders. This is because candle holders made of brass tend to have stunning aesthetics. The warm gold hue combined with intricate designs is what you can showcase with a clean brand candle holder. 
• Cleaning also helps prevent corrosion and tarnish. These are the significant things that would affect brass material. Tarnish means that brass no longer shines, and corrosion may reduce the overall durability of the candle holders. 
• Removing dirt and dust from the gold candle holder is also quite good for your hygiene. You do not need people looking at your brass candle holders and wondering why you never keep them clean. 
• Cleaning the gold candle holders can also help preserve their value. If you want to sell candle holders, people would value them best for their appearance. Proper cleaning of the brass material will leave it shining and add value to the candle holders. 

What You Will Need

You may now be eager to start cleaning the brass candle holders since you know the importance. Below are the supplies a person will need for the cleaning process. 

• Mild dish soap is vital to ensure you can remove dirt, grime, and wax residue from the candle holders. 
• Soft microfiber cloth is crucial for drying and polishing the brass after cleaning it. We recommend microfiber cloth because it does not scratch the brass surface. 
• Lemon juice or freshly cut lemons contain natural acids vital for effectively removing tarnish and restoring the brass shine. 
• Salt is a good abrasive agent which works well with lemon juice to remove tarnish from brash. Regular table salt should be good enough. 
• Vinegar is also essential for cleaning brass as it dissolves tarnish and helps restore the metal’s shine. 
• Baking soda is another gentle abrasive to use for cleaning brass. Plus, it is something readily available in the house, just like vinegar. 
• A commercial brass cleaner is also good for those who prefer ready-made cleaning products. Since it is meant for cleaning brass, expect the best results in case you use it correctly.

Method 1: Lemon and Salt

Cut a lemon in half. Next is to squeeze the lemon juice over the brass candle holders. Sprinkle enough salt directly on the areas with lemon juice. With your lemon half, gently rub it on the brass material in a circular motion. You can change to the other half of the lemon if necessary. 

Let the lemon juice plus salt mixture sit on the brass surface for ten minutes to remove the tarnish. Take a soft microfiber cloth and buff the surface, removing the salt and lemon juice mixture. 

Rinse the cleaned candle holders in warm water to remove any remaining lemon juice and salt residue. Once you dry the candle holders, they will have a bright shine to them. 

Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

To clean brass candle holders, you can still consider other household items, such as vinegar and baking soda. 

Create a smooth paste by mixing equal parts of vinegar and baking soda in a bowl. The amount of paste depends on how many gold candle holders you need to clean. So, adjust the amount to what you need. 

Stir the paste in the bowl until it is smooth, and the fizzing sound has stopped. The fizz is because of a chemical reaction between the acid and alkali in both products. 

Apply the fresh paste onto the candle holders using a soft cloth or a sponge. Make sure to cover the entire gold candle holder and wait for about 15 minutes. The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar is what allows for removing the tarnish. 

Use a soft-bristled brush such as a toothbrush to scrub the brass surface and remove the stubborn tarnish. Use small circular motions to remove as much tarnish as possible. Finally, rinse the candle holder in warm water and dry the gold candle holder with a clean microfiber cloth. 

Method 3: Commercial Brass Cleaner

It is possible you just want a ready product for cleaning the brass candle holders. In such a case, a commercial brass cleaner will do a fantastic job. Make sure that you buy the brass cleaner from a reputable brand so that it works. You may get the cleaner in the form of sprays, liquids, creams, or gels. Choose the form you are comfortable working with to clean your candle holders. 

Once you read the manufacturer’s instructions, apply a small amount of cleaner to the brass surface. No need for excessive amounts as the cleaners are often concentrated. Rub gently with a microfiber cloth on the tarnished surface to clean the candle holder. 

Allow the cleaner to sit on the brass surface for about five minutes, then remove it with warm water. Repeat the process in case there are certain stubborn spots. 

Conclusion

You can try other DIY methods to clean your brass candle holders. Those mentioned above are enough to leave you with shining gold candle holders just as you would like. In case you are budget-conscious, we have discussed using locally available materials. Most of them you can get them in the kitchen pantry. You could also use commercial cleaners to make the process faster and easier. Just ensure you are quite careful not to apply too much pressure or use harsh cleaners that may damage the brass surface.

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