Brass looks good both shiny and patinated – how to clean a brass Nappula candleholder (if you wish)
Iittala’s Nappula candleholder in brass also looks good with a bit of patina. In the Well Kept series, we talk about high-quality materials and how to maintain them.
I CONSIDER BRASS to be similar to leather. A single small brass object has the same effect on an arrangement or table setting as a pair of shiny leather shoes has on an outfit. Brass also has the ability to add a touch of festivity to the everyday objects around it and provide contrast to matte textiles, wooden surfaces and ceramic tableware.
These brass Nappula candleholders had been in use for about five years and gained a beautiful patina in that time. They hadn’t been cared for in any way except for dusting. Brass naturally darkens over time, losing some of its shine and gaining verdigris, i.e. patina. Of course, stearin wax also accumulates on candleholders when they are used.
“Brass naturally darkens over time, losing some of its shine and gaining verdigris, i.e. patina.”
In my opinion, the used Nappula candleholders had more character than new objects, and at first, I didn’t even know whether I want to clean and polish them in the first place. However, more seems to be more when the holidays are coming and some additional glitz in the middle of all this darkness is only a good thing!
The brass vintage vase has a beautiful darkened and patinated surface. Patina is also beneficial, as it protects the metal inside the vases, thus extending their useful life.
When you’re about to clean a brass object, first, use a magnet to test whether the material is really brass: a magnet doesn’t stick to pure brass. Brass-colored objects are often made of other metals and just coated with brass, which is why they may get white scratches due to wear and tear. If you have brass-coated objects, only clean them by wiping with a soft cloth.
“The decades-old brass vase is charming precisely because of its history, which I can imagine by only looking at its darkened surface.”
The recommended cleaning method may also vary depending on the finish. For example, the surface of some brass lamps, such as Artek’s A330S, is nowadays lacquered to keep the brass from darkening and gaining patina. For this reason, they shouldn’t be cleaned with warm water and soap or a polish that damages the lacquered surface. If you have old or valuable brass objects, it’s advisable to consult the manufacturer or a goldsmith, some of whom may also offer cleaning services. When buying a new brass object, you can ask the salesperson for cleaning and polishing instructions in case you want to, for example, put the item on sale someday.
That being said, all brass objects can usually be wiped clean of fingerprints, grease and dust with a soft cloth. The following instructions can be applied to objects made of pure, non-lacquered brass. If you’re not sure about the material, it’s better to ask the manufacturer for more information and always test the cleaning agent on a spot that’s not visible.
How to clean brass candleholders:
Required for the maintenance:
Clean and soft cotton cloths, e.g., pieces of an old sheet
Thick protective gloves, e.g., old leather gloves
Brass polish, such as Autosol Metal Polish
(Cotton gloves)
Before maintenance, the Nappula candleholders had a darkened surface that did not shine.
Removing of stearin wax
You can get stearin wax off a candleholder by dipping it in boiling water. Metal naturally heats up during the process, so use gloves to protect your hands. I used old leather gloves for the purpose, as they offer a good grip. After dipping the candleholder in the water, immediately wipe the stearin wax off with a soft cotton cloth.
When you’re cleaning candleholders, start with removing any stearin wax on their surface.
Instead of scraping, the gentlest way to remove stearin is to use boiling water to melt the stearin off, after which you can just wipe the candleholder clean with a cotton cloth.
Washing
Wash the candleholder with warm water containing a small amount of dishwashing liquid. Use a soft cotton cloth or natural sponge that doesn’t scratch the surface. Rinse the candleholder with warm water and dry it thoroughly with a cotton cloth or lint-free towel to prevent rusting.
Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid in the hot water. Always use a soft sponge or cloth for the washing to protect the surface from scratching.
Polishing
Finally, polish the candleholder using a polish suitable for brass, such as Autosol Metal Polish. It’s advisable to test the polish on a spot that’s not visible. At this point, it’s important to know whether the object is made of brass or coated with brass, since the polish may rub the coating off.
Add a small amount of the polish on a dry, clean cotton cloth and apply it on the candleholder. If you wish, you can use soft cotton gloves to keep your hands from getting dirty. Leave the polish on for a moment and wipe the candleholder with a clean cotton cloth, polishing its surface at the same time.
A small amount of polish suffices. If the candleholder has gained a lot of patina, you can leave the polish on for a little longer before wiping it off and repeat the process, if necessary.
A cleaned and polished small Nappula next to a large Nappula that’s been left as is. Both are beautiful in their own way.
As you can see from the before and after photos, the difference is striking!
+ Combine freely
I like creating more festive arrangements and table settings in the same, tried and tested way. I gather a few selected decorative items and pieces of tableware and try to combine them in a new way. I’m not that into actual seasonal ornaments, but several polished brass objects glisten in the candlelight almost like a light string.
An abundant arrangement that brings all your shiny favorite objects together sets a festive mood.
Brass looks equally good when polished or patinated over time and use. Different textures and degrees of wear and tear give objects character and make them look more interesting, which is why you can think of brass maintenance as something you can do if you want.
See also:
• All candleholders at Finnish Design Shop >
Published on 25 Nov, 2022
