Salt is a common ingredient in many homemade brass cleaners, often used in combination with lemon juice or vinegar. Yet, not all inexpensive homemade brass cleaners call for salt. Make your own salt-free cleaner and polish, using baking soda or rottenstone.
Baking Powder
Step 1
Pour 4 tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl.
Step 2
Add several drops of lemon juice and stir.
Step 3
Continue adding lemon juice until you have the consistency of paste. Rub onto the brass with a soft cloth to clean and polish. Rinse off with water and buff dry.
Rottenstone
Step 1
Add about 4 tablespoons of rottenstone to a bowl.
Step 2
Add a drop of vegetable oil to the bowl and stir.
Step 3
Continue adding a drop at a time and stirring until you have the consistency of paste. Rub onto the brass with a soft cloth, wiping off any oil residue that remains after cleaning and polishing with a clean, soft cloth.