How to clean and care for brass cabinet hardware

Brass cabinet hardware is designed to last for decades, but every finish requires slightly different care. Whether you're considering unlacquered brass that develops a natural patina or a lacquered finish designed to retain its original appearance, knowing how to clean brass correctly will help preserve its beauty for years to come.

In this guide, we'll explain how to clean brass cabinet handles, knobs and accessories, the differences between living, lacquered and plated finishes, and which cleaning products you should avoid.

To clean brass cabinet hardware, wipe regularly with a soft lint-free cloth. For deeper cleaning, use warm water with a mild detergent before drying thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners, wire wool and harsh chemicals as they can damage the finish. The exact cleaning method depends on whether your hardware has a living, lacquered or plated finish.

Brass is a timeless and versatile material used to create durable cabinet hardware in a wide range of finishes. Whether you choose a living brass finish that develops a natural patina over time, a lacquered finish that retains its original appearance, or a plated finish designed for enhanced durability, each requires slightly different care to keep it looking its best.

While the appearance of your brass cabinet hardware will naturally influence your choice, it's equally important to consider how much maintenance each finish requires. This is particularly relevant in high-use areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms, where daily contact, moisture and cleaning products can affect the finish over time. Understanding how to care for each type of brass finish will help preserve its beauty and ensure your hardware performs for years to come.

We offer 20 finishes across our solid brass cabinet hardware and accessories to perfectly suit our British made products across all areas of an interior.

Yes, brass is relatively easy to maintain, particularly when the finish is chosen to suit your lifestyle and the room in which it will be used.

The amount of care required depends largely on whether you choose a living, lacquered or plated brass finish. Living finishes are designed to change naturally over time, so they require very little intervention beyond gentle cleaning. Lacquered and plated finishes are better suited to homeowners who prefer a more consistent appearance and want to minimise visible ageing.

Project by Brooke Wagner Design | Photography by Joshua Caldwell | Features our Barwick Plain Cabinet Knob with Backplate, Barwick Plain Cabinet Handle with Backplate and Barwick Plain Appliance Pull with Backplate, all in our polished brass unlacquered (PBUL) finish.

For most brass cabinet hardware, regular care is simple:

• Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.

• Use warm water and a mild detergent for occasional deeper cleaning.

• Dry thoroughly after cleaning, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners, wire wool and harsh chemicals, which can damage the finish.

If low maintenance is your priority, lacquered or plated finishes are usually the easiest to care for. If you prefer a finish that develops more character over time, a living brass finish offers a beautiful, naturally evolving alternative.

The most important thing is to understand how your chosen brass finish is intended to behave. A finish that naturally develops a patina is not becoming damaged, it is simply ageing as designed.

A living brass finish, also known as unlacquered brass, is a solid brass finish that naturally develops a rich patina over time. As the brass is exposed to air, moisture and everyday handling, it gradually oxidises, creating a unique appearance that evolves throughout its lifetime.

If you're looking for cabinet hardware with warmth, character and individuality, a living brass finish is an excellent choice. Rather than retaining a uniform appearance, the finish will naturally darken and develop subtle variations through daily use, making every handle, knob or accessory completely unique.

The rate at which a living brass finish ages will vary depending on its environment. Factors such as humidity, frequent handling and installation in kitchens or bathrooms will all influence how quickly the patina develops. This natural ageing process also allows living brass hardware to complement other brass fixtures, including taps, lighting and architectural details, creating a cohesive and timeless interior.

If you have previously come across an Armac Martin burnished brass finish, you may now see it referred to as aged brass (BEL).

Historically, we used the term burnished brass to describe this warm, characterful finish. It has since been renamed aged brass to more clearly reflect its naturally aged appearance and how it sits within our wider collection of living finishes.

The finish itself retains the same design-led appeal associated with burnished brass: a rich, softly aged brass tone with subtle variation across the surface.

Burnishing is a finishing technique used to create depth, variation and character in brass rather than the highly reflective appearance associated with polished brass. As a result, a burnished brass finish often feels softer and more established, making it particularly well suited to traditional kitchens, natural timber cabinetry and interiors that combine new pieces with aged or heritage materials.

Our aged brass finish is also a living finish, meaning its appearance will continue to evolve gradually through handling, exposure to air and the environment in which it is installed.

For customers searching for our former burnished brass finish, aged brass (BEL) is the current Armac Martin finish to explore.

Project by Lindsey Goddard | Features our Grove Cabinet Knob in our polished brass unlacquered (PBUL) finish.

Living brass is designed to age gracefully, so regular polishing is not recommended. To keep your brass cabinet hardware clean while allowing the natural patina to develop:

• Wipe regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.

• For occasional cleaning, use a damp cloth with a mild detergent, then dry the hardware thoroughly.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners, metal polishes, wire wool and harsh chemicals, as these can damage the surface and alter the natural ageing process.

Where possible, minimise prolonged exposure to standing water or excessive moisture to help prevent uneven discolouration.

Our collection of living finishes includes a range of carefully created aged finishes, including polished brass unlacquered (PBUL), aged brass (BEL), aged copper (AGC) and dark aged brass (DAB). Each offers the character of naturally aged brass with a beautifully crafted appearance from the outset.

Our polished brass unlacquered (PBUL) will patina over time, but can be polished back up to its original state if desired.

A lacquered brass finish is solid brass coated with a durable, transparent lacquer that helps protect the surface from oxidation. Unlike living brass, which naturally develops a patina over time, lacquered brass is designed to maintain its original colour and appearance with minimal maintenance.

Lacquered brass is an ideal choice for those who want the warmth and elegance of brass without the natural ageing associated with unlacquered finishes. It is particularly well suited to high-use areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms, where regular handling and exposure to moisture are common.

Design by Decoreyes | Photography by Darabos György | Features our Sutton Cabinet Knob in our matt black (MBL) finish

To keep lacquered brass cabinet hardware looking its best:

• Clean occasionally using a soft cloth, warm water and a mild detergent.

• Dry the hardware thoroughly after cleaning to help prevent water spots or staining.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners, metal polishes and harsh chemicals, as these can damage the protective lacquer and affect the appearance of the finish.

Our lacquered brass collection includes polished brass lacquered (PBL), satin brass lacquered (SBL), satin brass satin lacquered (SBSL) and matt black lacquered (MBL), offering a range of finishes that combine the timeless appeal of solid brass with long-lasting colour retention.

Project by Amy Storm | Photography by John Stoffer | Features our MIX Plain Cabinet Handle with Backplate and Edgbaston Pull Handle in our satin brass satin lacquered (SBSL) finish.

A plated brass finish is created by applying a thin layer of metal, such as nickel or chrome, over a solid brass base using an electroplating process. This creates a durable, uniform surface that retains its appearance over time. Unlike living brass, plated finishes do not develop a natural patina, as the protective metal layer prevents the underlying brass from oxidising.

Plated finishes are an excellent choice for contemporary interiors and high-use spaces where durability and ease of maintenance are key. Nickel finishes offer a warm silver tone, while chrome provides a cooler, brighter appearance, making both popular options for kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms.

Project by JK Interior Lliving | Photography by Laura Moss | Features our Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knob, Cotswold Finger Pull and Latchford Cabinet Handle, all in our polished nickel plated (PNP) finish.

To maintain the appearance of plated brass hardware:

• Wipe regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.

• For deeper cleaning, use a damp cloth with a mild detergent before drying the hardware thoroughly.

• Where appropriate, a quality metal polish may be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners, wire wool and harsh chemicals, as these may damage the plated surface.

Our plated finish collection includes Polished Nickel Plate (PNP), Polished Chrome Plate (PCP), Hand Burnished Nickel (HBN), Satin Nickel Plate (SNP), Satin Chrome Plate (SCP) and Aged Nickel (NBP). Available in polished, satin and hand-burnished options, these finishes provide lasting performance while complementing a wide range of contemporary and classic interiors. 

The right brass finish is not simply a question of colour. It is worth considering how you want your hardware to look when first installed, how you would like it to age and how much visible change you are comfortable with over time.

Project by Summer House Interiors | Photography by Handover UK | Features our Victoria Plain Cabinet Knob in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

For homeowners, there are three key factors to consider:

Consider the look you want to achieve
Polished brass finishes have a brighter, more reflective appearance and can create a jewellery-like detail against cabinetry. Satin finishes offer a softer, more understated look, while aged and burnished brass tones introduce greater depth and character.

Nickel and chrome plated finishes provide cooler alternatives to traditional brass and can work particularly well alongside marble, stone and contemporary finishes.

Think about how you feel about natural ageing
If you like the idea of hardware developing a unique patina and becoming more individual over time, a living brass finish may be the right choice.

If you would prefer your hardware to retain a more consistent colour and appearance, a lacquered or plated finish is likely to be better suited to your home.

Neither option is more durable or more desirable in every situation. The difference is largely aesthetic and comes down to whether you want to embrace natural change or minimise it.

Consider where the hardware will be installed
Kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms experience frequent handling, moisture and regular cleaning, so ease of maintenance may be a greater priority in these spaces.

A lacquered or plated brass finish can be a practical choice where you want greater consistency with minimal upkeep. In bedrooms, dressing rooms or lower-traffic spaces, homeowners may feel more comfortable choosing a living finish and allowing its patina to develop naturally.

Ultimately, the best finish for your home is the one that complements both your interior and the way you live in it.

If you are deciding between several options, viewing physical finish samples in your own space can be particularly helpful. Natural light, surrounding materials and cabinetry colour can all influence how a brass finish appears throughout the day.

Choosing the right finish is an important part of any interior project. Our brass finish samples allow you to compare the colour, texture and character of each finish in your own space before making a final decision. Crafted from solid brass and finished using the same processes as our cabinet hardware and accessories, our finish chips provide an accurate representation of every option in our collection.

Our finish samples are typically delivered within a matter of days, helping you choose the perfect finish with confidence.

Explore our brass finish samples.

Proper care is essential to maintaining the appearance and longevity of brass cabinet hardware. Whether you have living brass, lacquered brass or plated finishes, following the recommended cleaning and maintenance guidance will help protect your hardware and keep it looking its best for years to come.