How to Clean a Bronze Handle

Bronze has always served as a material in the manufacture of decorative objects. It has made a name for itself in the design of statues and statuettes, photo frames, candlesticks, coin trays, and even door handles. However, this material tends to lose its shine very quickly when not properly maintained.

In this article, we will discover together some practical and simple tips so that your bronze handles remain clean, beautiful and shiny for as long as possible.

Petroleum

Take a clean cloth and soak it with petroleum. Rub it gently on your bronze handles to remove dirt. Make sure to clean immediately using a solution of water and washing-up liquid. Rinse everything with cold water and then dry with a cloth.

Red wine

Put a little warm red wine on a clean cloth. Then, polish the bronze handle well so that it regains its beautiful original colour. This tip is particularly effective for gilded bronze which is often chosen for a bronze furniture knob or handle.

Lemon juice

In a container, mix coarse salt and lemon juice. Make sure the salt grains have dissolved properly before applying it to the surface of the bronze handle. Note that this solution is effective for removing verdigris that forms on bronze objects. Finish the process by rinsing with water. Ideally use a hairdryer for quick drying.

Ammonia

In a container, mix ammonia with lukewarm water. With this preparation, clean the bronze handle, preferably the gilded one for more effectiveness. Proceed to rinsing and then drying.

Advice: remember to protect your eyes and hands when handling ammonia.

Bean cooking water

This is a recipe widely used by cabinetmakers to clean bronze. Cook dried beans and remove the cooking water. Then, rub your handles with this cooking water to loosen the dirt that had become embedded in the bronze. With a brush soaked in hot water, scrub every nook and cranny of your handle well. Dry the object in wood shavings.

Advice and precautions

If your handles or other bronze objects have tarnished, you should never store them in the attic. The right thing to do would be to clean them thoroughly before putting them back on your shelf.