Asked on Jan 14, 2017

How do I clean the brass plate on my front door?

Neverstopb
by Neverstopb

How do I clean the brass "kick plate" on my 20 year old front door? Any ideas are more than welcome.


Thank you very much! icon


  7 answers
  • William William on Jan 15, 2017

    Wipe off as much dry dirt from the kick plate as possible using a old rag. Squirt a little Dawn dish soap into a bucket of warm water, swirling it around with your hand or a sponge. Dip the sponge into the soapy solution and wipe down the kick plate thoroughly. Rinse the sponge and wipe down the brass again, then dry the kick plate with a soft cloth. If the kick plate has a lacquer coating, this is all the cleaning it needs, as additional cleaning materials may damage the lacquer. Lacquer looks like a clear coating over the brass. Mix several tablespoons of salt into a 1-pint spray bottle filled with white vinegar. Replace the lid and shake or stir to dissolve the salt. Spray the salty vinegar over the brass and allow it to sit for 10 minutes or so. Wipe away with a damp sponge, then towel dry the brass. Polish the kick plate by wiping it down with linseed or mineral oil applied to a soft cloth. Start with a very small amount of oil, such as a squirt or two, as a little may go a long way.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 15, 2017

    Try using ketchup!

  • Neverstopb Neverstopb on Jan 15, 2017

    Wow! Thank you very much!!

  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 18, 2017

    Halve lemons, sprinkle salt on them and scrub away. Use a light oil after and voila!

  • Ronda Torbic Ronda Torbic on Jan 18, 2017

    Lemon juice and salt works wonderfully if it can stay on it for some time. It would work best if you can remove the plate from the door. If you can not then make a paste out the salt and lemon juice and try to keep on the plate. If you have heavy tarnish lightly buff it with wet dry sand paper with the paper soaked in lemon juice. Whatever you use to clean it put a clean coat of Rustoleum over it to protect it and keep it shinning.


  • Deb K Deb K on Dec 11, 2022

    Hello, hope this helps you out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUnKhUzU800