Brass table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights add character to a room, but like any metal they dull, darken and develop spots over time. In damp rooms and during the wet season the process is even faster.
You can bring the shine back at home in half an hour. The key is to work out what you are dealing with first, so you do not damage the finish.
What you will need
- a bowl of warm water and liquid soap
- soft cloths for washing and dry ones for drying
- an old toothbrush for crevices and patterns
- a brass cleaner (if needed)
- WD-40 Multi-Use or WD-40 200 ml
- a magnet to test the metal
Important: Always unplug the lamp, remove the bulb and take off the shade before you start. Keep water and products away from the bulb holder, the switch and the inside of the body where the wiring runs. Do not use wire brushes, sandpaper or abrasive pads, as they scratch.
Step 1
Find out what you are working with
Hold a magnet to the lamp: it will not stick to solid brass. If it does stick, you have steel or another metal with brass plating. Plating is thin, so a wash in soapy water is enough; vigorous rubbing and brass cleaners can wear it away.
Many lamps also have a factory lacquer. Lacquered brass should not be washed in hot soapy water; a wipe with a damp cloth is enough. If the lacquer has peeled under tarnish, it is removed with a suitable stripper following the lamp manufacturer's advice.
Step 2
Wash the lamp in soapy water
Mix liquid soap into warm water. Wipe all metal surfaces with a well wrung-out cloth and use the toothbrush on patterns, joints and crevices where dust collects.
Stubborn marks and tarnish on solid brass can be treated with a brass cleaner, strictly following its instructions.
Step 3
Dry thoroughly
Wipe the lamp straight away with a clean dry cloth, paying attention to the crevices. Leftover water causes spots and speeds up tarnishing.
Let the lamp stand for a few minutes before the next step so hard-to-reach areas can dry.
Step 4
Polish and protect
Spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto a soft cloth rather than onto the lamp, and buff the brass in circular motions. The metal will gain an even shine, and the thin film will protect it from dust, moisture and fresh tarnish.
Remove any excess with a clean dry cloth. For a small lamp, the compact WD-40 200 ml is handy. Before treating the whole surface, test the result on a hidden part of the base.
Step 5
Reassemble the lamp
Once everything is completely dry, refit the shade, screw in the bulb and only then plug the lamp back in.
From now on, try to handle the brass with bare hands as little as possible: skin oils speed up spotting.
Tip: Wipe the lamp with a dry microfibre cloth once a week and repeat the WD-40 polish every few months. Tarnish will not have time to build up and deep cleaning will rarely be needed.
What next
The same method works for brass handles, candlesticks, frames and door furniture. For brass jewellery, see our separate guide on cleaning it.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».