Restore Furniture Hardware

How to give new life to old, antique and vintage hardware. Restoring hardware on furniture has never been easier.

Many times I have changed out furniture hardware for something new or spray painted the old ones. This projeect originally started with a plan to buy new hardware.

After the furniture was painted I decided I didn’t have anything to loose by restoring the existing worn and dull hardware that the cabinet came with. I wanted to use what I was confident I could create a DIY homemade brass cleaner.

If you have a piece of furniture passed on from a family member, purchase a facebook marketplace find, vintage or antique, consider cleaning up the hardware. Painting the piece of furniture isn’t required.

Initial cleaning

• Remove the hardware from the furniture.
• Wash with warm water and dish soap.

You never know, the hardware may come clean this way. Best to try one piece to be sure.

Tougher Cleaning Needed

I tried using super fine steel wood grade #0000 and straight white vinegar and got to cleaning. It worked well for me. I was so thrilled with the outcome.

It appears that making a paste with baking soda would work well too.

• White Vinegar
• Lemon
• Baking soda
• Salt

Mix the lemon juice or vinegar to the baking soda to make a past. If you need more of an abrasive add salt.

I didn’t clean it completely inside the grooves and key cut outs because I thought it still left some character.

Vinegar is an excellent choice for cleaning tarnished brass and other metals due to several key properties. It can be used for cleaning most anything around your home including laundry.

1. Acidic Nature:

• Breaks Down Oxidation: Vinegar is mildly acidic. This acidity helps dissolve oxidation and tarnish that form on brass over time, effectively breaking down the dull layer and revealing the shiny metal beneath.
• Safe for Most Surfaces: The acidity in vinegar is mild enough to be safe for most metals, including brass, while still being strong enough to remove tarnish.

2. Non-Toxic and Environmentally Friendly:

• Chemical-Free Cleaning: Vinegar is a natural, non-toxic substance, making it a safer alternative to harsh chemical cleaners. It’s environmentally friendly and safe to use around pets and children.
• Biodegradable: Vinegar is biodegradable, meaning it won’t contribute to environmental pollution when washed down the drain.

3. Easily Accessible and Affordable:

• Common Household Item: Vinegar is a common household item that is inexpensive and readily available in most kitchens. This makes it a convenient option for cleaning tasks.
• Cost-Effective: As a low-cost cleaning agent, vinegar offers an economical solution for maintaining and cleaning metal items like brass.

4. Versatile Cleaner:

• Multi-Purpose Use: Vinegar can be used in various cleaning tasks around the home, from disinfecting surfaces to removing limescale and cleaning glass. Its versatility makes it a staple in household cleaning.

5. Deodorizing Properties:

• Neutralizes Odors: In addition to cleaning, vinegar has deodorizing properties. It can help neutralize any lingering odors on the brass or in the area where the cleaning takes place.

6. Safe for the Brass Surface:

• Non-Abrasive: Vinegar is non-abrasive, so it cleans without scratching or damaging the brass surface, making it an ideal choice for delicate or antique brass items.

Here is what the hardware looked like before.

I was able to take this dated 80’s cabinet and give a great new look. I painted it with some of my homemade chalk paint.

This quick tip is just one option if you want to restore furniture hardware. You can always spray paint the hardware for a different look like I did on my TV cabinet. Then the TV cabinet got a makeover with Rub N Buff.

I am still debating about my plans for the thrift store dresser that I have added to the master bedroom makeover. It has such cool hardware.

**Used this tip again on my Mid Century Modern Dresser Makeover!

So tell me, how do you handle hardware when you are doing a makeover on furniture? Leave it? Restore it? Paint it?

Have a great weekend!!