How to Clean Brass: Candle Holders, Candlesticks and More

A row of candles in brass candle holders

Brass is one of the most forgiving materials in a house. Polished bright, it catches candlelight and lifts a dark room; left to age, it softens to a warm, mellow patina that looks at home beside oak and old stone. Either way, it lasts for generations. Candlesticks, candle holders, door furniture and lamps handed down through families are often brass for exactly that reason.

This guide explains how to identify what kind of brass you have, how to remove candle wax safely, how to clean off tarnish with polish or simple kitchen ingredients, how to care for polished and brushed finishes, and how to look after brass that you would rather leave to age.

Step one: work out what you have

Before you clean anything, take a minute to identify the piece. The wrong method on the wrong finish can do more harm than good.

Solid brass or plated?

Hold a fridge magnet against the piece. Brass is not magnetic, so the magnet won't stick to solid brass. If it does stick, the piece is steel or iron with a thin brass plating. Plated pieces need much gentler cleaning, because heavy polishing can rub through the plating to the metal underneath. Our Eclipse candle holder is solid brass, with real weight to it.

Lacquered or unlacquered?

Many modern brass pieces are sealed with a thin, clear lacquer that stops the metal reacting with the air and tarnishing. If your brass has stayed perfectly bright for years with no attention, it is probably lacquered. Lacquered brass should only ever be wiped with a soft, damp cloth and dried. Polish and acidic cleaners strip the lacquer, leaving patchy, uneven areas that then tarnish.

If the lacquer is already peeling or patchy, the usual solution is to strip it off completely and treat the piece as unlacquered brass. A specialist can do this for valuable items.

Polished or brushed?

A polished finish is smooth and reflective. A brushed finish has fine parallel lines in the surface, giving a softer, satin look. Both are brass; they just need slightly different handling, as explained below.

Antique or valuable?

If a piece is old, valuable or has decorative detail, be cautious. Old patina can add to the value of antiques, and aggressive cleaning can remove it for good. If in doubt, ask an antiques dealer or restorer before polishing.

How to remove candle wax from brass

Candle holders inevitably collect wax. Never scrape it off with a knife, which scratches the surface. Instead:

Freeze it. Put the candle holder in the freezer for an hour or two. Cold wax becomes brittle, shrinks slightly and usually pops off cleanly with a fingernail or a wooden lolly stick.
Or warm it. Pour warm, not boiling, water over the waxy area, or hold it under a warm tap. Softened wax wipes away with a soft cloth.
For the last traces, a hairdryer on a low setting softens the residue so you can wipe it off.
Clean the cup. Wax often builds up inside the candle cup. Warm water and a soft cloth wrapped around a finger usually shift it.

To make life easier in future, use candles that fit the holder snugly, trim wicks so candles burn cleanly, and keep holders out of draughts, which make candles drip.

Everyday cleaning

For general dust and fingerprints, wash the brass in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, using a soft cloth. Rinse and, most importantly, dry thoroughly straight away with a clean, soft cloth. Water left to dry on brass leaves marks and can speed up tarnishing.

Never put brass in the dishwasher. The detergents are harsh and the heat can damage lacquer and discolour the metal.

Removing tarnish

Brass tarnishes because the copper in it reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, forming a dark film. It is completely natural and doesn't damage the metal. Whether you remove it is a matter of taste.

Using a brass polish

A good commercial brass polish is the simplest, most reliable option.

Clean off dust and wax first, as above.
Apply a little polish to a soft cloth, not directly to the brass.
Rub gently in small circles on polished brass, or along the grain on brushed brass.
Buff with a clean cloth until the cloth comes away clean.
Wash in warm soapy water, rinse and dry, so no polish residue is left in crevices.

Wear gloves, work somewhere well ventilated and follow the instructions on the tin.

Home remedies

If you would rather use what is in the kitchen cupboard, these traditional methods work well on unlacquered, solid brass. Always test on a hidden area first.

Salt, flour and vinegar paste. Mix equal parts salt and plain flour, then add enough white vinegar to make a thick paste. Spread it over the brass, leave for around ten minutes, then rinse off with warm water and dry well.
Lemon and salt. Cut a lemon in half, dip the cut face in salt and rub it over the brass. Good for small pieces and light tarnish. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Lemon and bicarbonate of soda. Mix the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to make a paste. Rub on with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.
Ketchup. It sounds odd, but the mild acid in tomato ketchup lifts light tarnish. Apply a thin layer, leave for a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Acidic cleaners must always be rinsed off completely. Left on brass, acid continues to react with the metal and can cause pink or patchy marks.

What to avoid

Scouring pads, wire wool and abrasive powders, which scratch the surface.
Bleach and harsh household cleaners.
Polish on lacquered or plated brass.
Leaving brass wet.

Caring for brushed brass

Brushed brass has a satin finish made by fine lines in the metal. Clean it with warm soapy water and dry it well. If you polish it, use a gentle polish and always rub along the direction of the lines, never across them, or you will leave visible scratches. Over-polishing can gradually turn a brushed finish shiny, so polish sparingly.

Keeping brass bright for longer

Dry it thoroughly after every clean.
Handle it less. The oils on our skin speed up tarnishing, so hold candlesticks by the base.
Keep it away from damp, such as bathrooms and steamy kitchens.
Apply a thin coat of wax. A light layer of a clear microcrystalline wax after polishing slows down tarnishing considerably.

Or let it age

Many people prefer brass with a soft, darker patina. It has a quiet, lived-in look that suits country houses, old furniture and candlelight perfectly, and it never looks too new or too shiny. If that's you, simply remove wax and dust now and then, and leave the rest to time. A mixed group of brass candlesticks, some bright and some aged, can look especially handsome together on a mantel or dining table.

Using brass in the home

Brass looks best set against natural materials: oak, linen, stone, wool and greenery. A pair of candle holders on a dining table, a group on a mantelpiece or a single holder on a bedside table brings warmth to a room in a way few other things can. At Christmas, brass and evergreen are a classic pairing. See our guide to decorating a mantelpiece for Christmas. For lamps and shades to go alongside, read our lampshade size guide.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I polish brass?

As often as you like the look. For bright brass in regular use, a polish every few months is usually enough, with a quick wipe in between.

Why has my brass gone green or black?

Dark tarnish is normal oxidation. Green marks, known as verdigris, form where brass has been exposed to moisture. Both can usually be removed with polish or a vinegar paste.

Can I use toothpaste on brass?

Plain white toothpaste is mildly abrasive and can lift light marks, but it can also scratch polished surfaces. A proper brass polish is gentler and more effective.