You can spend a great deal of money on decorative hardware for your cabinets and drawers. These sweaters can cost up to thirty dollars a piece if they are made of certain materials. You don’t want to spend all that money and then ruin them by not maintaining them properly. There are some care tips that can help you keep your decorative hardware looking good. The type of care they require depends on the material from which they are made.
Brass – Brass looks beautiful in any room in the house and can be quite shiny. The last thing you want to use on brass are harsh abrasives that can remove the natural patina. Instead, use a good brass polish to keep it nice and shiny. Before polishing, clean them gently with soap and water. Always use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean or polish decorative brass hardware.
Bronze – When you choose bronze hardware, you probably did so for the deep color of the metal. Bronze can polish itself with regular use. This is the beauty of it. Because it contains brass, wear points will turn a lighter color than the rest of the metal over time. This is supposed to happen, so don’t panic. When cleaning bronze, use a soft cloth with beeswax. This will deepen darker colors and brighten lighter ones while adding an overall glow.
· Stainless Steel: Again, do not use harsh chemicals to clean stainless steel. This can remove the natural shine. Wipe away any dirt with a clean, soft cloth and follow with a quality stainless steel polish. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the polish so as not to damage decorative stainless steel hardware.
Glass and glass: can be cleaned with soap and water. After cleaning, they can be polished with any common household glass cleaner or you can use a vinegar and water solution. Be sure to dry them well to remove any water spots or streaks.
· Wood: Wood can be cleaned with a wood cleaner. Polish the wood with wood wax using a soft cloth to avoid scratching. From time to time, you should use a stripper to remove any wax buildup and bring out the natural color of the wood.
If you properly maintain your decorative hardware, it will stay looking new for much longer. Just make sure you never use harsh chemicals or they can be damaged. Use the appropriate cleaner for the type of material the hardware is made of.