06 / Journal

A common question asked by our customers is how to prolong the life of our brass handles and keep our brushed brass finishes looking lovely and lustrous.

We always start by saying that brass is a natural product and you should expect your brass handles to age to a natural patina, gradually darkening and dulling over time to develop their own unique character. We also understand that many customers wish to maintain an “as new” finish for as long as possible. The answer to this is maintenance.

Brass handles and knobs at Lo & Co are coated in a clear, high-grade lacquer to help preserve the quality of finish. It does this by keeping the metal surface out of contact with air, skin oils, moisture, and other sources of tarnish.

The best way to clean our brass cabinet handles is to remove surface dust with a soft, lint-free cloth.  Regularly wipe marks and other build-up off your brass handles using nothing more than a mild solution of soapy warm water.  Once clean, thoroughly dry your products (again with a soft cloth) to prevent the risk of rusting or other marking.

Never use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive scrubbing cloths as both can damage and remove the protective lacquer coating.

So, in three key points:-

1 Regular maintenance is the key;

2 The foremost thing is to remove the build-up of dirt, oil and grease which can all hasten tarnishing. Warm water and a soft cloth will do the trick

3 Relax and embrace the changes. Any discolouration will become part of the final character of your Lo & Co product.

And if a natural patina is not your thing – we suggest swapping out the brushed brass altogether for an electroplated finish in nickel, bronze, aged brass or matte black handles.