By Mrs. Mathis
Image by Kirsten Skiles
For those wondering how to clean bronze, the Iron Age is so last year. Cleaning bronze is not hard, but it is handy to have a few simple recipes for bronze cleaning solutions under your belt. While much bronze cleaning can be done with a simple soft, dry cloth, your will want something a little heavier to remove green oxidation from bronze.
How to Clean Bronze That is Not Very Dirty
You can avoid heavy duty bronze cleaning by dusting your piece regularly with a clean, dry cloth. Should you notice that it has some sort of greasy build up, you can wash the item gently in a sink of warm soapy water. Just be sure to rinse the item well and dry it completely with a soft, dry cloth to prevent spotting. HINT: Old T-Shirts are great for this.
It is preferable to clean your bronze pieces as much as possible in this matter rather than using either of the solutions mentioned below. That’s because even these gentle cleaners can dull the finish on bronze with they are used too often.
Homemade Bronze Cleaning Solutions
One great solution for cleaning bronze is mix a little baking soda with some lemon juice to make a paste. Gently rub this paste onto the piece and leave it there for about half an hour. Then rinse the piece with warm water and polish it dry with a soft, lint free towel.
If you prefer a different solution, you can form the same sort of paste with equal parts of flour and salt to which a little vinegar has been added. Use as described above.
How to Remove Green Oxidation from Bronze
You can use either of the solutions mentioned above to remove green oxidation from bronze. If this doesn’t work the first time, you should repeat the steps until the tarnish is gone. If you are working a small or intricately detailed piece, you might want to try using a toothbrush to get into the crevices.
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