Best way for cleaning lacquered brass door handles

Best way for cleaning lacquered brass door handles

Lacquered brass door handles can look simply stunning when looked after correctly. The fact is that sadly most people don't know the best way for cleaning them, and as such they rarely look at their best.

The purpose of this article is to teach you the best way for cleaning lacquered brass door handles, to keep them looking at their very best.

A short read of this article could save you a lot of time and stress in the future.

So, what exactly is lacquered brass?

It is a little known fact that most brass produced now is lacquered.  Being lacquered in production, the brass should not be polished as you may first think, but instead actually be cleaned.

Brass that has been lacquered has a clear layer and dully of the appearance will only occur if a crack appears on the surface. The thin clear layer in the short term protects the brass finish from exposure to the atmosphere and will ensure it displays the bright shine. If however this thin layer is not cleaned and protected, it will not last as expected.

Cleaning lacquered brass door handles

Best way cleaning lacquered brass door handles

When it comes to cleaning lacquered brass door handles, or any other lacquered brass, your best friend will be washing up liquid and warm water. Warm soapy water is going to be key in this cleaning process.

Like many other cleaning processes, use a soft cloth and wring it out so it is only damp when cleaning the brass, and never wet. After you have cleaned the brush, get a seperate clean, dry soft cloth or towel and dry fully to prevent the risk of rusting or other marking.

On a regular basis you will want to simply dust the brass with a soft cloth such as a microfibre cloth, but will rarely need to wash it.

If you do need to wipe a mark or other debris off your brass, you should only use lukewarm water and washing up liquid. The occasional use of a good quality wax polish will also help to seal and chips and scratches in the lacquer itself and is well worth doing. In exposed and external situations, more regular waxing is advised to keep it clean and protect it against the elements.

"It may be natural for many of us to think Brasso is the best option for our lacquered brass, however this couldn't be further from the truth. Brasso is abrasive and will remove the clear protective film. Brasso is only for unlacquered brass."

Green Fox Cleaning accredited trainer

Over time, your lacquered brass may lose its shine

At some point down the line, it is likely that the lacquer will deteriorate and will be beyond requiring a simple wash or dust to keep it looking great.

If this happens with your lacquered brass, it is suggested that the lacquer is removed using a lacquer remover and then polished back to its original finish using a good quality brass cleaner. You can then return to your normal maintenance and cleaning process.

In summary

We hope you have found this article on cleaning lacquered brass door handles useful, and that it will make the task a lot more straightforward for you.

Green Fox Cleaning are a commercial cleaning that can not only keep your brass door handles looking great, but the rest of your workplace also. Click here to learn more about us, and how we can help improve the appearance of your business with ours.