Well, it goes without saying that the use of brass in our kitchen has been for centuries and of course for all the good reasons.
However, with the passage of time, nickel-plated and silver-toned stainless steel hardware was successful in replacing the brass counterpart to some extent, isn’t it?
But, at the same time, brass faucets are still popular and I don’t find any reasons for their popularity to subside.
In fact, gold-toned pulls, knobs, and faucets are household names nowadays.
I prefer unlacquered brass faucets due to numerous reasons including their ability to provide a natural touch as well as a longer lifespan.
Nonetheless, in order to keep them shining and appealing you’ve to clean them in a proper manner else, you wouldn’t be able to reap maximum benefits out of them.
What is Unlacquered Brass Faucet?
For all those who are new to the topic, please allow me to explain the basics of an unlacquered brass faucet so that you can make an informed decision.
As we all know brass is nothing but a mixture of zinc and copper.
In order to prevent brass faucets from tarnishing, a coating is applied to them and so they are called lacquered brass faucets.
On the other hand, if the brass faucets aren’t coated then they are called unlacquered brass faucets.
In general, you’ll find some change in the appearance and look & feel of an unlacquered brass faucet with the passage of time as it gets exposed to the elements found in the air.
The good news is, its authentic patina that develops with the passage of time is definitely pleasing to your eyes.
In layman’s terms, an unlacquered brass faucet simply means it is made of uncoated brass and gives you a sense of relaxation and excitement.
If a manufacturer is mixing something to enhance the durability of the brass faucet during its making the end result may have a slight change in its color and appearance.
You would be amazed to know that surrounding also plays a key role in its appearance.
For example, if you’re installing an unlacquered brass faucet in a region near to ocean then it will turn green with the passage of time.
On the other hand, those present in dusty areas can turn gray or brown.
Needless to say, both soft and hard water can influence the unlacquered brass faucets differently.
In layman’s terms, in the absence of coating, the elements that are reactive with the brass can leave their footprint on the faucet which makes it more appealing.
At times, you need to clean your unlacquered brass faucet so that it remains appealing.
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How to Clean an Unlacquered Brass Faucet?
Even though you don’t have prior experience in cleaning brass objects, you can easily clean your unlacquered brass faucet effortlessly using a metal cleaner or ingredients found at home.
How to Clean an Unlacquered Brass Faucet Using a Metal Cleaner?
Here I come with a list of items that you would be needing in order to expedite the cleaning process.
- Metal cleaner
- A clean, soft cloth
- Cleaning pad
- Wax Paste
Use a Cleaning Pad or a Soft Cloth Along with Metal Cleaner
Some of the cleaners that we recommend to our clients at izzysmarthomeguide.com are Brasso, Copper Cleaning Kit, Twinkle brass, Wright’s Brass, and Blue Magic.
However, it’s always good to opt for the cleaner that is readily available in your area and also falls well within your budget.
Most of these metal cleaners are either available in liquid or powder form.
Choose the format that suits you.
All you need to do is pour an adequate amount of metal cleaner on a soft cloth or cleaning pad and rub your unlacquered brass faucet in the best possible way that you could till the time all the tarnish has disappeared.
Once you’re done with removing the tarnish, clean your faucet with water.
It’s highly advisable to expedite the cleaning process as per the instructions mentioned in the manufacturer’s manual in order to prevent any last-minute misadventure.
If needed repeat the process again but reduce the quantity of the metal cleaner.
Polish the Faucet
Once you’ve cleaned your faucet with fresh and clean water, the next thing that you need to do is to apply the wax paste on its entire surface and then buff it using a soft cloth.
Always refrain from using hard cloth as they can do more harm than good.
As soon as you’ve completed the process of applying the wax paste, you can experience that your faucet has regained its original shine and brightness.
We at izzysmarthomeguide.com recommend our clients should carry out a patch test on their faucets before using a cleaner because not all cleaners interact equally well with unlacquered brass faucets.
How to Clean an Unlacquered Brass Faucet Using Home Remedies?
What I’m really excited about is that you can easily clean your unlacquered brass faucet using ingredients found in your kitchen including ketchup, lemon, salt, etc.
Trust me, in the past, we’ve tried and the end result exceeded our expectations and for all the good reasons.
I’ll dictate you step by step process that we follow to get the desired result, all you need to do is to stay with us and keep reading the post till the end :):)
Cleaning Faucet Using Ketchup
Trust me, other than for food, ketchup can also be used for cleaning the brass materials, thanks to its mild acidity nature that makes it possible for you to get rid of specks of dirt as well as tarnish from your unlacquered brass faucet.
It enhances the shine & looks and feels of the faucet to an extent that you’ll feel your faucet has regained its original appearance.
All you need to do is to follow the below steps in order to get the desired result.
Does it make sense?
A list of items that you would be needing includes ketchup & a cleaning pad.
In the absence of a cleaning pad, you can use a soft cloth.
As mentioned earlier, refrain from using hard cloth as it may lead to mild scratches on your unlacquered brass faucet.
Apply Ketchup
All you need to do is to put some ketchup on a clean piece of soft cloth or cleaning pad and use it to smear it all over the faucet in the best possible way that you could.
Before moving to the next step, you must ensure that your entire unlacquered brass faucet is covered with the ketchup.
Allow it to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Use Water for Cleaning Faucet
Once the ketchup is fully dried then you need to use clean water to wash out the ketchup and tarnish.
Rinse thoroughly till the time all specks of dirt are gone.
In order to dry all the moisture, you would be needing a soft cloth or a towel.
In absence of ketchup, you can use tomato juice as an alternative.
Dip the faucet inside the juice for approximately 5 to 10 minutes then rinse it with warm water.
Clean Using Lemon and Salt
Another effective way of cleaning your unlacquered brass faucet is the use of lemon and salt.
Below is the list of items that you would be requiring for this cleaning method.
- Lemon
- Salt
- A clean, dry cloth
- Clean water
As we all know, lemon is acidic in nature so it can do wonders when it comes to cleaning your unlacquered brass faucet.
For optimum benefits, you would be needing to add a pinch of salt to the lemon solution.
Prepare a Lemon and Salt Solution
Mixing can be done in either of the below-mentioned ways.
- The easiest way is to cut the lemon into two parts and then sprinkle a pinch of salt over it
- Else, you can squeeze the lemon juice in a container and or a cup and then some salt to it – stir the solution till the time salt has completely dissolved
Apply the Salt Solution
Similar to the aforementioned step, in this case also, you need to apply the salt solution to your entire unlacquered brass faucet in the best possible way that you could.
If you’ve cut the lemon in two pieces and sprinkled salt over it then in that case, you need to use the lemon piece to rub the faucet surface.
Make sure that you’re using the raw side with salt.
Once done, allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes if not more.
Buff it With a Clean Soft Cloth
Once you’re done with applying the solution over the unlacquered brass faucet, then all you need to do is to use a clean and soft cloth to buff it up.
Post that use clean water to rinse the entire surface.
For a heavily tarnished brass faucet, a mixture of lemon juice and tartar cream in the 1:1 ratio will do the trick.
Apply the mixture on the faucet and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes.
Post that using a soft cloth or a cleaning pad and warm water clean the surface of the faucet.
Finally, dry the faucet using a soft cloth.
Though all the aforementioned cleaning methods are fast and less time-consuming still I would request you to follow some precautionary measures that we would be discussing in a while in order to reap maximum benefits.
The steps that we’ve discussed so far are the ones that we’ve been recommending to our clients at izzysmarthomeguide.com, and the response and feedback have been positive and encouraging.
By means of this blog, our intention is to reach out to a wider range of audiences and help them in the best possible ways that we could.
Precautions to Take When Cleaning Unlacquered Brass Faucet
Well, it goes without saying that chemicals can harm your skin so it’s highly advisable that you wear protective gear like gloves while using any sort of chemicals on your unlacquered brass faucet or otherwise.
Moreover, you need to cover the surface in the vicinity of your brass faucet in order to protect it from any damage from the chemicals.
Refrain using thick steel wool from cleaning your unlacquered brass faucet as it can do more harm than good by producing scratch marks.
On the other hand, a ball of steel wool thinner than grade 00 can do the trick for you.
Olive oil is successful in preventing tarnishing on brass materials to a large extent.
All you need to do is to apply them in an appropriate amount on your unlacquered brass faucet after cleaning.
How to Care for Unlacquered Brass Faucet?
- Make it a habbit to clean your unlacquered brass faucet post use on a day-to-day basis using a soft cloth or even towel will work
- Ensure that the water spots don’t settle on your faucet for long – immediately wipe it dry
- Use soaps with neutral pH balance for cleaning your unlacquered brass faucet, High pH or colored soaps may do more harm than good
Unlacquered Brass Faucet | FAQs
In this section, I would be responding to your queries related to unlacquered brass faucets in order to help you make an informed decision.
In case, I’m not able to cover your question then please feel free to reach out to us via the contact form and we would be more than happy to assist you in the best possible way that we could.
Can Brasso be used on unlacquered brass?
Yes, you can use Brasso to clean unlacquered brass as it’s a good quality cleaner.
However, use Brasso in only a small amount along with soft cloth.
Is unlacquered brass hard to care for?
No, definitely, NOT…
Unlacquered brass is a low-maintenance affair and the process isn’t time-consuming either.
How do you polish unlacquered brass instruments?
For unlacquered brass elements, Wright’s Brass Polish or Brasso will do the trick.
Is unlacquered brass good?
As we discussed earlier also, unlacquered brass is the one that doesn’t come with a coating.
With the passage of time, the brass will darken and patina and show wear.
The good news is, it’s relatively low maintenance only if left alone to age.
If you’re someone who enjoys watching things age gracefully then unlacquered brass is for you.
Does unlacquered brass turn green?
Since it doesn’t come with a coating so when it comes in contact with the elements of air, tarnishing began to happen.
Definitely, an unlacquered brass will change its color but whether it will turn green or NOT depends to a large extent on the alloy composition.
In fact, different companies use different mixes so the color may vary significantly.
Is unlacquered brass timeless?
Yes, unlacquered brass is timeless and has a classic look & feel.
As time progresses, it starts resembling polished nickel.
Is unlacquered brass toxic?
No, unlacquered brass isn’t toxic, and NOT ALL brass contains lead.
What is the difference between aged brass and unlacquered brass?
- Aged Brass: Classic brass with a matte coating for a timeless vintage-inspired look
- Unlacquered Brass: A shiny light gold with no lacquer coating, Unlacquered Brass is a living finish which means it will gradually age and develop a character-rich patina over time
Is satin brass the same as unlacquered brass?
Not satin brass isn’t the same as unlacquered brass.
In fact, unlacquered brass doesn’t come with a coating so it will patina over time.
On the other hand, satin brass has a brushed finish and isn’t shiny so it won’t show fingerprints.
Wrapping Up
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort in coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on the topic of how to clean an unlacquered brass faucet quickly and effectively?
And, in case, you liked our effort and want to appreciate us then please do share this post with like-minded people and the ones who are in search of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
Cutting long story short, with the passage of time the changing look and feel of an unlacquered brass faucet can be appealing only if it has been well taken care of.
For all those who own an unlacquered brass kitchen faucet and have no idea about cleaning and maintaining it, then this guide will definitely do the trick for them.
At the same time, it is really important that you choose a cleaning method that you’re comfortable with in order to reap maximum benefits from it.
It’s always advisable to follow the manufacturer’s instructions while you’re on a verge of cleaning your faucet in order to prevent any unprecedented scenario.
That’s all, as of now :):)
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