One of the things we use in our homes, workplaces, and public places the most is the door handle. They rank among the dirtiest surfaces we regularly come into contact with. If not cleaned thoroughly, door knobs can become a haven for bacteria, viruses, filth, grime, and oils. In order to keep your home and office germ-free, we will look at practical and safe door handle cleaning techniques in this post.

Just as crucial as the functionality they offer is keeping your door handles and door knobs neat and stylish. Maybe you've seen some dirt accumulating on your handle or the first signs of tarnishing.

An uncomplicated guide on cleaning Brass door handles and door knobs has been put together by our experts at The Gold Boutique Furniture. 

Everything you need to know will be covered in our article, including the tools you'll need and suggestions for getting rid of tough dirt or stains. We will demonstrate how to clean your door knobs without having to buy any expensive supplies or gear, just some common home materials and some elbow grease.

It is lot simpler than it may appear, and if you follow our simple advice, you'll have shining, lovely handles and fashionable doors once more in no time.

What is Tarnishing & Why Does it Happen?

Have you ever noticed how tarnished your handles appear to be? Your handles or knobs may appear darker, duller, or to have lost their luster when they are tarnished. When a handle is exposed to chemicals, water, or humid air, a coating of corrosion forms on the handle's outermost layer as a result of a chemical reaction.

The verb "to tarnish" comes from the French word "terne," which means dark and dull and was borrowed into late Middle English.

Many people might feel discouraged as a result of tarnished door handles' messier appearance. Fortunately, cleaning tarnished handles is easier than you would think. It frequently affects door handles made of brass, chrome, steel, and nickel.

Things to Consider Before Cleaning:

What are the Door Handles Made of, And Why is that Important?

It makes no difference whether you have door handles on a backplate or a rose. It is wise to take your handles' construction into account before grabbing your cleaning supplies and getting to work.

Some of the most common materials used to make door handles are brass, steel, and zinc. To avoid scratching or damaging your handles, it is crucial to understand the composition of your handles because each metal will require a different cleaning technique.

Furthermore, rough polishing or the use of potent chemicals can harm your hardware by altering the plating of the decorative finish.

Do Your Handles Have a Coated Finish?

A coating or lacquer protecting the metal may also be present on some door knobs or handles; brass door handles are frequently found with this.

If the finish on your handles is glossy and high-gloss, they probably have a clear coating to shield the metal underneath.

The damage that keys and jewelry can do to coated or lacquered brass door handles is easy to see. Minor surface scratches or cuts will indicate this damage, which will allow air to tarnish the metal below.

The best way to care for lacquered brass door handles is to gently clean them with a soft cloth and warm water before lightly coating them with natural wax to give them additional protection. As a result of these handles,

The best method for caring for lacquered brass door handles is to give them a light cleaning with a soft cloth and warm water, followed by a thin layer of natural wax to give them additional protection. It is best to avoid using abrasive cleaners or materials like steel wool on these handles because doing so will harm them.

Are Your Door Handles Internal or External?

Both internal and external door handles need different amounts of maintenance; internal handles are simpler to keep clean because they are protected from bad weather, whereas external handles are constantly exposed and are more likely to accumulate dirt, stains, and marks than internal handles.

Exterior Door Handles

We frequently make a lot of effort to maintain the interiors of our homes, constantly dusting and vacuuming the floors, but we frequently neglect to take care of the exteriors.

When someone visits your home, they frequently notice your exterior doors first. Therefore, it is crucial to treat it with the same level of care as your interior handles.

Your exterior door handles are more likely to pick up marks and stains than your interior door handles due to their constant exposure to the elements. You might discover that your handles need a little TLC as a result.

Given our prior advice, we are confident that you will have your external door handles in immaculate condition in no time. We understand that it may be difficult to know exactly how to maintain external door handles clean.

Consider the following materials for exterior door handles:

You must have the appropriate tools for the work, just like with any cleaning activity. Remember to take another note of the material used for your exterior door handle. Making the handle worse will be the last thing you want to do! The letterbox, door knockers, door handles, and lock are typically made of the same metal.

Whether your external handle is solid brass, chrome, pewter or even a plastic PVC door handle, a simple method of cleaning your exterior handle is to keep it gentle.

What To Avoid:

When cleaning your door knobs, there are numerous things you should avoid. Avoid these if you want to reap the many advantages of cleaning your handles.

• Steer clear of using products containing chloride, such as bleach.
• Use of wire wool or other abrasive materials is not advised.
• Do not use hard water.
• When the stainless steel door furniture is warm, avoid cleaning it.

Brass Door Handles

Brass doorknobs and handles are common elements in historical buildings. Unfortunately, handles made of solid brass or brass-plated handles are also susceptible to tarnishing over time.

Fortunately, cleaning brass door handles is simple and a great way to prevent tarnishing if you're willing to put in the effort.

We will walk you through a number of ways to clean brass door handles. These techniques can also be used to clean copper handles.

How to Clean Brass Handles

Now that you are aware of the benefits and drawbacks of brass handles, let's talk about a few cleaning techniques for brass.

Cleaning Brass With Soap and Water

Brass can be cleaned most easily with soap and water. If you want to rapidly clean your brass handles, add a few drops of dish soap to a jar half-filled with warm water. Scrape the surface next using a microfiber cloth or a clean toothbrush dipped in the cleaning solution. Once the Brass has been cleaned, dry it with a fresh cloth. Remove the handles and soak them in soapy water before washing them if they are very tarnished or dirty.

Cleaning Brass with Ketchup

Use ketchup for tougher brass cleaning tasks. It may seem unusual, but the ketchup's natural acids could clean Brass of tarnish without damaging or spoiling it. It's okay to use tomato paste or sauce. The tarnished brass surface should receive a thin layer, which should be left on for at least an hour. The Brass should then be scrubbed clean with hot, soapy water and a microfiber cloth or a fresh toothbrush. Brass will have its tarnish removed by the natural acids in ketchup or tomato paste without any damage or alteration to the metal.

Home Made Solution to Clean Brass

Mix white vinegar, salt, and flour to create a solution. In a clean mixing bowl, combine equal parts of white vinegar, flour, and salt. To make sure the solution is fully incorporated, thoroughly mix it. Paste should be applied to the Brass and allowed to sit for up to an hour. After removing the paste with warm water, massage the Brass dry with a microfiber cloth.

For instance, you may clean your Brass without harming the surface or altering the color by using 12 cups (144 grams) of salt, 12 cups (68 grams) of flour, and 12 cups (120 mL) of white vinegar. The alternative to flour is baking soda. Various combinations of water, vinegar,baking soda, and salt.  

 

Cleaning Brass With Lemon

Another choice is to cut a lemon in half, then salt the flat face. To make the Brass handles shine, rub some salt over them. Dry the handles with a clean dishcloth after washing them down with a wet rag.

Cleaning Brass With Lemon And Baking Soda Solution

Lemon and baking soda can also be used to polish brass hardware. A paste will form as you combine a teaspoon of baking soda with half a lemon's juice. Apply the paste with a soft cloth. If the tarnish is severe, let the item sit with the paste on it for 30 minutes. Pat yourself dry after rinsing with warm water. Replicate the procedure if necessary.

Cleaning Green Oxidation From Brass

• To eliminate oil and filth, wipe the surface with mineral spirits

Brass is prone to oxidation and erosion to the point that a green powdery layer appears on the surface. Mineral spirits, also referred to as white spirit, should be cleaned up with a fresh cloth or swab. Remove any dust that has developed on the Brass's surface by wiping it off, which will make the oxidation simpler to remove. Mineral spirits must be used in a well-ventilated area since they produce unpleasant fumes.

• With a wooden skewer, remove the green corrosion

To create a chisel form, trim the end of a wooden skewer, a bamboo kebab stick, or even a bamboo chopstick. Remove the powdery green oxidation by scraping and pushing it off the brass. The surface can then be cleaned with additional mineral spirits.

Cleaning Brass with WD-40

WD-40 can be used to clean tarnished Brass. After taking it out of the can, screw the plastic straw onto the nozzle. Apply a small amount to the tarnished brass handle and rub it in a circular motion with a soft, clean cloth. Polish the brass surface consistently until it is lustrous and spotless.

Make Your Brass Shiny and Glossy!

Use any professional brass cleaner to polish the brass. Choose a commercial brass cleaner designed especially for brass. Wash the handles with soap and water to get rid of any dirt or dust. After that, polish the handles with the brass cleaner and a soft cloth to prevent surface scratches. By frequently cleaning and polishing your handles, you can keep them looking beautiful and dazzling for years.

Friendly Advice – Polish the Brass on a Regular Basis

To get rid of discolouration, use a polish designed specifically for brass. Follow the directions on the package apply it using a soft cleaning cloth. Additionally, check to see if the Brass is clean before you begin polishing it. You only need warm water and mild dish soap. When all dirt, dust, and debris have been removed, use soapy water with a soft, damp cloth.

Conclusion

A highly traditional material that is typically found in older-style residences is brass. However, they are enjoying a spike in popularity. Both of them are tarnish-prone, much like silver, but they are easy to keep if you sometimes roll up your sleeves. You can find everything you need for brass cleaning in your kitchen, making it both simple and affordable. All of these suggestions have helped my sister and I clean brass handles and other hardware over the years. You will benefit, I'm sure of it!