How to Clean Bronze Naturally: 3 Different Ways

Here, we outline how to clean bronze without the need for harsh and expensive chemical-based cleaning agents. By using some simple household ingredients and a bit of elbow grease, you can clean your bronze with a minimum of fuss.

Normally, the greenish tarnish or ‘patina’ that forms on bronze is highly desirable and should be preserved. However, if you prefer your bronze to be gleaming at all times these easy cleaning steps with help you get the look you are after. Whether it is cleaning bronze jewellery, kitchenware, statues or even bronze headstones, these steps will achieve great results.

How to Clean Bronze: 3 Easy Methods

The best way to clean bronze is by using all-natural, universal cleaners like vinegar or lemon. And believe it or not, even using some of your humble household ketchup is a great alternative.

Cleaning Surfaces With Vinegar

Ideal for cleaning larger bronze surfaces on bigger items like bronze headstones and heavy kitchenware, this simple recipe will help you transform those tarnished surfaces in no time.

1. Combine equal amounts of salt and plain flour in a bowl, then add enough white vinegar to create a paste.
2. Coat your bronze surfaces with an even layer of the paste and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Using a damp cloth, gently wipe the paste away and rinse in water before drying and buffing with a dry cloth.

Tip: Vinegar can be used for more than bronze surfaces. Check out these 15 Ways to Clean Your Home Using Apple Cider Vinegar.

How to Clean Bronze With Lemon

A squeeze of lemon and some household baking soda provides the perfect bronze cleaning agent that is ideally suited to ornate bronze candle holders and statues to smaller bronze kitchen utensils.

1. Place a tablespoon of baking soda and some lemon juice in a small bowl, then mix to create a paste.
2. Apply this paste to your bronze pieces and continue rubbing gently until you are happy with the clean. Leave for 15 minutes.
3. Wash the mixture off under running water, then dry and buff.

Cleaning Jewelry With Ketchup

This cleaning method would suit smaller bronze items like jewelry, as those delicate bronze surfaces could do without the heavier scrubbing techniques.

1. Cover all of the surfaces of your bronze using a sponge to apply the ketchup or immerse the bronze in an open bowl full of it.
2. Let the bronze stay covered in ketchup for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse off the ketchup thoroughly with warm water, and then dry the bronze with a soft cloth.

No matter which method you choose, a great tip is to rub a little olive oil onto the bronze afterwards. It’s an old trick that has been used for thousands of years: just a few drops of olive oil will give the bronze a fantastic glossy finish and also act as a protective layer to prevent future tarnishing.

How to Keep Bronze Looking Shiny

Another handy tip that will keep your bronze tarnish-free is to store your items in a low-humidity setting where they will be protected from dust and other particles.

Of course, try to avoid handling the bronze too often with your bare hands and keep the bronze coming into contact with synthetic textiles and paints.

Read more:

• How to Clean Silver Ecologically: Silver Polish Alternatives
• Homemade Oven Cleaner: 3 DIY Methods Better Than Chemical Cleaners
• Baking Soda Carpet Cleaner: A Simple DIY Recipe

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Tags: Cleaning DIY Guide