How to Clean and Polish Brass (Yes, Even the Tarnished Stuff)

I’ve recently fallen back in love with brass…everything. And when it’s clean, it glows. Not in a flashy, look-at-me way—more like a lived-in shine. Like a lamp that’s always been there or an old candlestick that’s seen a hundred dinner parties. The kind of warm, quiet shine that makes a room feel just a little more loved.

So when I found a pair of antique Stiffel brass lamps on Facebook Marketplace, I was already in love. They were heavy, solid, and curvy in all the right ways. But they also looked like they’d been sitting in someone’s basement since the Reagan administration (and maybe got knocked over a time or four).

Next thing I know, I’m elbow-deep in the strangely calming world of brass polishing. And honestly? Kinda obsessed.

First Things First Though—Is It Real Brass?

Before you go to town with the elbow grease, check to see if your piece is actually brass and not brass-plated. Here’s a quick trick—grab a magnet. If it sticks, it’s brass-plated. If not, congrats—you’re working with the real deal. (Still worth cleaning either way, but go gently on the plated stuff.)

A solid brass lamp with a white pleated shade sitting on a nightstand.

What You’ll Need To Clean & Polish

Warm water
Dish soap
An old toothbrush
Soft cloths or rags
A brass polish (like Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, Brasso, or a homemade version—more on that below)
Optional: lemon and baking soda or vinegar and salt if you’re going DIY

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Give it a bath. Even the dirtiest brass needs a basic cleaning before you polish. Mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, and use a soft cloth to gently wipe everything down. For those intricate grooves (hello, Stiffel lamp base), use an old toothbrush to get in there. Make sure you dry it thoroughly.

2. Choose your method. If you’re using a commercial brass polish, just follow the label (they’re usually wipe-on, wait, buff-off deals). But if you want to go the homemade route, here are a few options:

Lemon and baking soda: Cut a lemon in half, dip it in baking soda, and rub it directly on the brass. Rinse with warm water, dry, and buff.
Vinegar and salt: Mix 1 tsp salt into 1/2 cup vinegar, add flour until it makes a paste, smear it on, let sit 10 minutes, rinse, and dry.

Warning: your house will smell like salad dressing for a minute. But it’s okay, it’s worth it.

3. Buff, baby, buff. Once the tarnish starts to disappear, use a soft, dry cloth and polish in circular motions. It’s sort of hypnotic—like erasing the years off.

4. Step back and admire. Seriously, pause and take in that glow. Brass has a subtle way of looking expensive once it’s clean—like the kind of thing someone’s chic grandma passed down.

A Few Brass Polishing Pro Tips

Always test any cleaner on a hidden spot first (just in case—I mean you never know, and I do not want you to ruin your Stiffles).
Don’t polish too often—too much rubbing can wear down brass over time. Once or twice a year is plenty.
If your piece has lacquer on it (you’ll know because it won’t tarnish), you’ll need to remove that first before polishing. Or just let it be—some people like the patina.

Why It’s Worth Doing

There’s something grounding about polishing brass. Like folding pillowcases or lining up your spice jars—it’s not urgent, but it feels good (and looks even better). Productive. Intentional. And in the end, you’re left with something beautiful, something that looks like it was meant to be (or has been) part of your home all along.

So now my new-to-me Stiffle brass lamps are sitting proudly on my nightstands, glowing softly next to stacks of books and my bedtime glass of water. And every time I turn them on, I swear they wink at me a little—like they know I saved them from certain death and that makes me so, so happy.

What’s the last thing you cleaned or polished that gave you that same sense of small but mighty satisfaction? I’d love to hear all about it.