Antique brass is finished to give it an aged look, which is part of its appeal, but that doesn’t mean you want your hardware to look shabby. Do you know how to keep your antique brass fixtures looking beautifully patinated and timeless? We’ll help you understand if your fittings are indeed in antique brass and how best to care for this finish to keep it looking good.

How to identify antique brass

Antique brass stands out from other finishes with its warm, aged look. Unlike shiny chrome, antique brass has a matte, slightly worn appearance that gives it a vintage feel. The finish often has subtle variations in colour, which adds depth and richness.

If you don’t know if your tapware and hardware are antique brass or a different finish brass, take a closer look. Unlike brushed brass, which is very warm and golden, antique brass has a softer, more subdued finish. Antique brass normally has darker areas or spots where the metal has naturally patinated, but Yabby’s antique brass has an electroplated coating designed to provide that aged look without over-patinating after a few years.

Cleaning different types of antique brass

Antique brass is all about the patina look. Our antique brass products have a more durable, yet still delicate, version of that finish — so you really don’t want to strip it and have it lose its character. Before you start cleaning, you need to know whether your taps or accessories are raw brass or plated. This will tell you the best way to maintain them.

This might come as a surprise, but most antique brass items in our homes today aren’t raw solid brass. Most of the brass in your house either has a finish or is brass-plated, neither of which can be cleaned like unlacquered brass.

As we touched on, Yabby tapware is made from solid brass, with the durability you'd expect from a high-quality material. Our antique brass products have a durable electroplated coating that gives protection against fingerprints and watermarks. This finish is designed to preserve the beauty of the brass while making it easier to maintain, but it also means that using harsh cleaners could damage the coating.

How to clean antique brass

Cleaning antique brass is simple and doesn’t require (or want for) any harsh chemicals. A quick clean with a soft, dry cloth can go a long way to prevent buildup and keep the hardware looking its best with minimal effort. 

Every month or so, take some time to carry out a more thorough cleaning following these five steps:

What to avoid when cleaning antique brass

When cleaning your antique brass fixtures, gentle is the way to go. Don’t approach it like other materials around the house, and get out your store-bought cleaners, heavy-duty gloves and scrubbing sponge.

Here’s a quick list of what to avoid when cleaning Yabby’s antique brass tapware and hardware:

• Harsh chemicals: Bleach, ammonia and commercial metal polishes (like brass metal polish cleaner) as they’ll strip away the finish.
• Abrasive tools: Like, steel wood, scrubbers and scouring pads, which might scratch the surface.
• Acidic cleaners: Vinegar-based or acidic cleaning solutions, whether store-bought or DIY, since they can discolour the brass.

Simple care for antique brass tapware and hardware