Compared to classic polished brass, which has been a staple material for bathroom fixtures, brushed brass has a duller and more matte appearance that can make your bathroom fixtures look rustic.
Whether they’re located in a bathroom or kitchen, it’s not uncommon to find them riddled with stains. While brushed brass faucets look great, they should be regularly cleaned to ensure that they don’t get damaged and stand the test of time.
This article will help you learn safe and effective methods for cleaning brushed brass faucets by removing all types of stains, marks, and residue. We’ve also made sure to include a section towards the end of this guide where we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic.
Cleaning Brushed Brass Faucets
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive cleaning guide that will focus on removing specific types of stains from brushed brass faucets. We’ll teach you how to remove water spots, limestone, oil, grime, and dirt to ensure that they look as good as new.
It’s important to understand that brushed brass is typically treated to give it a matte appearance. This means that you’ll need to use non-abrasive cleaning methods and tools to avoid damaging its brushed surface.
General Cleaning
General maintenance of brushed brass faucets is relatively straightforward. If you follow an optimal routine regularly, your fixtures will remain spotless for years.
Here’s what you’ll need for general cleaning:
- Some water
- A cloth or towel
Clean your brushed brass faucet by removing any suds, soap, grime, stains, or dust that you notice on it. Rub it with a dry, clean, and soft cloth afterward to ensure that it is free from all impurities.
If you regularly clean and dry it, you will prevent any water damage to the brushed material and will also avoid water spots. To help you remember to dry your faucet after every use, we suggest keeping a clean cloth nearby (on a shelf, subboard, or drawer) so that you can easily and conveniently clean it.
If you notice any stains or spots on the brushed brass material, we recommend removing them with the Flitz Brass and Copper Tarnish Remover. It is a dedicated brass cleaner that helps clean calcium deposits, tarnishes, rust stains, oxidation, and more.
It has a safe and non-toxic formula that gets the job done. You’ll also be able to use a similar product – just ensure that you don’t polish your brushed brass faucets if you want them to retain the matte appearance.
Removing Water Spots
Water spots are caused by mineral-rich water that dries up on your kitchen or bathroom faucets. This happens frequently, especially when taking a bath or simply washing your hands.
If you regularly notice water spots on your brushed brass faucet, we recommend using a simple cleaning solution of white vinegar and water. This solution can remove any signs of mineral deposits and is safe to use on brushed brass, without damaging its texture.
For this process, you will need the following:
- ½ Cup white vinegar
- ½ Cup water
- Soft dry cloth or towel
Start by mixing ½ cup of white vinegar with ½ cup of water (50/50 ratio) and apply the solution on your brushed brass faucets using a soft cloth or thin towel. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with clear water.
After the faucet’s surface is free from the vinegar solution, dry it with a soft, clean cloth. Ensure that the faucet is completely dry, to prevent any further water spots from forming.
Removing Limescale
Limescale consists of mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and has a chalky appearance. If you notice any limescale deposits on your brushed brass faucets, you will need to prepare a vinegar and lemon juice paste.
Limescale can accumulate over time and tarnish the brushed brass material, making the removal process more challenging. If there is only a light layer of limescale, you can utilize the same 50/50 vinegar and water solution used for cleaning water spots.
However, if the limescale has accumulated over time and dulled the faucet’s texture significantly, we recommend using the following ingredients to make a more potent cleaning solution:
- ½ Cup white vinegar
- ½ Cup lemon juice (optional)
- 1 Tsp. of salt
- Flour (as needed)
- Water
- Soft dry cloth
Mix 1 teaspoon of table salt in ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ a cup of lemon juice (optional). Once the salt has dissolved considerably in the solution, add flour into the solution until a paste is formed.
Apply the paste onto the entire surface of the brushed brass faucet and let it work its magic for the next 10 minutes. White vinegar and lemon juice can break down limescale deposits relatively effectively.
However, it’s important that you start by applying gentle pressure when wiping the paste away. This will remove away any signs of limescale and allow your brushed brass faucet to look as good as new and ensures that you avoid any damage to its brushed texture.
Removing Oil Stains
If your brushed brass faucet has oil stains or feels sticky to the touch, we recommend cleaning it using a mild dishwashing solution and warm water. The dishwashing liquid cuts through the grease with ease, restoring its natural matte appearance.
For this process, you will need:
- 1 tsp. of mild dishwashing liquid
- 1 cup of warm water
- Soft dry cloth
Add 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid (preferably with natural ingredients) to 1 cup of warm water to create a mild cleaning solution.
Apply the cleaning solution with a soft cloth to the brushed brass faucet and rub it gently to clear the grease. Once the faucet is completely free from oil and grease, rinse it with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth to prevent water marks.
Removing Grime & Dirt
Grime and dirt are common types of stains that also happen to be easy to remove. Here, we recommend a more natural home remedy that will restore the brushed brass faucet’s color and appearance in no time.
For this process, you will need:
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Tsp. of table salt
- Warm water
- Soft dry cloth
To begin cleaning extremely dirty or grimy brushed brass faucets, slice a lemon in half and rub the cut section in some table salt. Rub the same lemon piece onto the grimy faucet, focusing on tarnished areas that need extra attention.
Squeeze the lemon to release lemon juice as you clean the faucet. Once you are satisfied with the results, rinse the brushed brass faucet with warm water and dry it with a soft and clean cloth.
You can also use an off-the-shelf brass cleaner to remove grime and dirt, but a homemade solution with lemon that we’ve referred to above works just as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the questions that our readers had. If you would like to have your questions answered, please get in touch with us.
Do I Need to Remove Rust from Brushed Brass Faucets?
As brass is an alloy, similar to bronze, it does not rust. This is due to its minimal iron content. However, you may need to remove limescale or mineral deposits from your brushed brass faucets from time to time.
How Often Should I Clean Faucets Made of Brushed Brass?
We recommend that you clean your brushed brass faucets once or twice weekly using our general cleaning method, as this keeps them free from stains and prevents limescale buildup.
If you notice any water marks or stains on brushed brass faucets, you should clean them immediately using the respective cleanings method that we’ve mentioned in our guide.