How to Clean Furniture Hardware Quickly
Do you want to bring back the shine to your old furniture fixtures? Those knobs, handles, and hinges on your cabinets and drawers collect dirt and grime over time. When they look dull, your whole furniture piece loses its charm.
The good news is that you can clean these items at home with things you already have. There is no need for fancy cleaners or special tools.
In this guide, you will learn how to clean different types of furniture hardware. From brass pulls to chrome knobs, each material needs specific care to look its best.
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to make your furniture details sparkle again.
Step-by-Step Process of Cleaning Your Hardware
Before getting started, gather the essential supplies you’ll need. Here’s a complete list of materials required to clean and refresh your tarnished furniture.
Materials Required:
- Electric screwdriver (or manual screwdriver)
- Old pot (not used for cooking)
- Water
- Bar Keeper’s Friend (powder or liquid)
- A scrubbing sponge or an old toothbrush
- Fine steel wool (optional)
- A towel for drying
This step-by-step method is perfect for cleaning furniture hardware, especially pieces with tarnish or layers of old paint buildup.
Step 1: Remove the Hardware
First, take off all hardware from your furniture piece. Using a small electric screwdriver makes this job much faster than with a manual tool.
It’s quicker than a regular screwdriver and not as bulky as a drill. Make sure to keep all screws in a safe place so you don’t lose them.
Step 2: Prepare for Boiling
Next, find an old pot you don’t use for cooking anymore. Many people get a thrift store pot just for this purpose.
Fill it with enough water to cover all your hardware pieces completely. This keeps things clean since you won’t want to cook in a pot used for cleaning old, dirty hardware.
Step 3: Boil the Hardware
Place all hardware pieces in the water and bring them to a full boil. Let everything boil for about 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat source.
This process helps loosen old paint and built-up grime that has collected on your hardware over time.
Step 4: Clean with Bar Keeper’s Friend
Now comes the key step. Take out one or two pieces of hardware from the hot water. Sprinkle Bar Keeper’s Friend cleaner over the hardware and let it sit for about 30 seconds.
Both powder and liquid versions of this cleaner work well for this task. This cleaner is the secret to getting truly clean hardware.
Step 5: Scrub Away Grime
Use a scrubbing sponge or old toothbrush to clean the hardware thoroughly. For stubborn spots that won’t come off easily, try using very fine steel wool.
Each piece should take only a few minutes to clean. If you prefer a vintage look, you can leave some darker colors in the details.
Step 6: Alternative Method (No Boiling)
If you don’t want to boil the hardware, you can try an alternative method. Wet the hardware with water, sprinkle on Bar Keeper’s Friend, and scrub as usual.
This approach works, too, but it might take longer. Just note that boiling alone without Bar Keeper’s Friend won’t truly clean your hardware.
Step 7: Reinstall Hardware
Once all the pieces are clean, let them dry completely before reattaching them to your furniture.
The contrast between the freshly cleaned hardware and your furniture will make the whole piece look more polished and complete.
For a more detailed tutorial, you can watch the YouTube video down below:
Maintenance Tips for Furniture Hardware
Once you’ve cleaned your hardware, you will need to learn how to maintain it for the long run. People often skip this step or think it is irrelevant, but all kinds of hardware require care to keep it running for the long haul.
The following steps are easy and time-saving but make a big difference in keeping your hardware nice:
| Tip | Description | Frequency | Extra Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Dusting | Wipe the hardware with a soft cloth to prevent dust buildup. | Weekly (e.g., Sundays) | Quick task that prevents grime buildup over time. |
| Clean Hands | Avoid touching the hardware with dirty or greasy hands. | Ongoing habit | Oils from skin can dull metal surfaces. |
| Paste Wax for Metal | Apply a thin coat of paste wax to protect clean, dry metal. | Every few months | Forms a barrier against moisture and oxidation. |
| Furniture Polish for Wood | Use a light coating to prevent dryness and cracking. | Every few months | Use sparingly for best results. |
| Avoid Harsh Cleaners | Use only a damp cloth for regular cleaning. | As needed | Strong chemicals can damage finishes. |
| Check Screws | Tighten any loose screws to avoid wear or damage. | Every few months | Prevents hardware from loosening or falling off. |
Other Cleaning Options for Hardware
If Bar Keeper’s Friend isn’t handy, don’t worry! You can try several other methods that work well, too:
- White Vinegar and Salt: Mix equal parts and make a paste, then apply it to the hardware with a soft cloth.
- Lemon Juice: Cut a lemon in half, add some table salt to the cut side, and rub it directly on the hardware.
- Baking Soda Paste: Mixed with water, it helps with stubborn grime. The mild abrasive quality lifts dirt without scratching most finishes.
- Ketchup: Its acids clean copper and brass quite well. Apply a thin layer, wait 10-15 minutes, and then rinse and buff dry.
- Hot Soapy Water: Works for regular cleaning when items aren’t too dirty. I use this for monthly touch-ups on my drawer pulls.
- Plain White Toothpaste: Can polish metal hardware. Apply it with an old toothbrush, scrub gently, and rinse.
- Commercial Metal Cleaners: Specific to your hardware type (brass, chrome, etc.) are worth the investment for valuable pieces.
- Olive Oil: On a soft cloth helps bring shine back to clean wood knobs and can prevent them from drying out.
- Mild Dish Soap: To avoid damaging the finish on painted hardware, mild dish soap and warm water are often the safest choices.
- Cola Drinks: Their acidic content can remove rust from iron hardware. Soak the items for about an hour, then scrub and rinse.
- Flour, Salt & Vinegar Mixture: Creates a paste that cleans brass items beautifully.
Conclusion
Keeping your furniture hardware clean doesn’t have to be hard work. The simple boiling method with Bar Keeper’s Friend offers a quick fix for most tarnished pieces.
What’s the point of all this effort? Clean hardware can make even old furniture look fresh and cared for. The small details truly make a big difference in how your pieces look.
Ready to get started? Grab your old pot, find those dirty handles and pulls, and bring them back to life this weekend. Your furniture will thank you!
Don’t forget to check the screws when you put everything back in place. And remember, a little regular care saves you from big cleaning jobs later on.
