Asked on Feb 20, 2014

How to clean up tarnished metal door handles?

Susan Woodcock
by Susan Woodcock
I need to clean up tarnished metal door handles. They are handles from a buffet which I am 'doing up' shabby chic style. Any help will be much appreciated :)
Metal door handles
  10 answers
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Feb 20, 2014
    Try gliding wax, silver, and gold at Hobby Lobby.
  • Birdie Haschke Nickolite Birdie Haschke Nickolite on Feb 20, 2014
    soak in murphy soap and warm water overnight and they will be clean
  • Depending upon the finish that is original on them would determine the different methods of cleaning them. A buffing machine with polish will clean these up nicely. Little dirty work, but they will shine like new. You can use the polish wheels that come with Dremel tool, or you go all out and purchase a bench grinder and install a polish pad on it.
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Feb 22, 2014
    Someone here said soak in Amnonia over night to clean.
    • Lilah Lilah on Feb 22, 2014
      @Wanda.ll Not sure I would do the amonia over night tho. Maybe half hour & then check. It is great for shining jewelry & other but I would be nervous with over night. It might ruin the original finish. Just an idea to be safe.
  • Lesa D Lesa D on Feb 22, 2014
    Ketchup works on brass..soak couple hours or over night and then rub in small circles till clean.
  • Frances S Frances S on Feb 22, 2014
    HI Lesa D, I was going to post Ketchup.
  • Katie Katie on Feb 22, 2014
    My question would be why do you want to get rid of the tarnish at all? My choice would be to cover them with a flammable oil or solvent and take a blow torch to them to bring out more "tarnish". Just a thought if you doing a shabby look.
    • Trudy Trudy on Jan 23, 2016
      @Katie Because hardware is like jewelry, a girl's gotta have a little bling!
  • Dee Dee on Feb 22, 2014
    Soak in the Purple Cleaner that you get at Walmart for 5 bucks overnight. It is a gallon and has many uses.
  • Melinda Lockwood Melinda Lockwood on Feb 23, 2014
    Apple cider vinegar and salt. Soak overnight and viola!
  • Cheryl Kendrick Cheryl Kendrick on Feb 23, 2014
    barkeepers make a paste, let set for 10 mins or so, wash off