Learning how to clean and care for brass bathroom fittings is easier than you might think, and a gentle routine is all it takes to keep solid brass looking beautiful for decades. Unlike plated alternatives, which can wear through with scrubbing, solid brass is the same warm metal all the way through. Every piece we make is handcrafted in England from solid brass, so it is built to be lived with, enjoyed and cared for rather than fussed over.
Why solid brass rewards gentle care
Brass has been the material of choice for fine bathroom fittings for generations because it is naturally durable and resistant to corrosion. A well-made solid brass tap or shower head will comfortably outlast fashion, and often the bathroom around it. The care it asks for in return is modest: regular gentle cleaning, a soft touch and a little common sense about which products to keep well away. If you are choosing new brass bathroom fittings, it is reassuring to know the upkeep is genuinely light.
The simple weekly routine
For everyday care, warm water, a drop of mild washing-up liquid and a soft cloth are all you need. Wipe your fittings over, rinse with clean water and dry with a soft towel or microfibre cloth. Drying is the step most people skip, yet it makes the biggest difference: water left to evaporate leaves mineral spots, particularly in hard-water areas, and regular drying keeps every finish crisp and bright.
It helps to keep a dedicated cloth in the bathroom so a quick wipe-down takes seconds rather than becoming a chore. Once a month, give a little extra attention to the places routine cleaning tends to miss, such as the underside of spouts, the back of the shower head and around the base of each fitting, where splashes settle and dry unnoticed. This same routine suits everything from brass taps to towel rails and robe hooks, so once it becomes habit, your whole bathroom benefits.
What to avoid
The quickest way to damage any fine finish is with the wrong product. Avoid abrasive creams, scouring pads and wire wool, all of which will scratch. Steer clear of harsh chemicals too: bleach, limescale removers containing strong acids, and general bathroom sprays are formulated for ceramics, not for metalwork. If you would not use it on your skin, think twice before using it on your brass. When in doubt, warm soapy water is always the safe choice.
Caring for different finishes
We offer eight finishes across the collection, and while the weekly routine above suits them all, each has its own character. Our finishes guide explores them in depth, but here are the essentials.
Polished finishes
Polished brass, chrome and nickel love a soft dry cloth. An occasional buff brings the shine straight back, and drying after use prevents water spotting on the mirror-like surface.
Brushed finishes
Brushed brass and brushed nickel have a fine directional grain. Wipe along the grain rather than in circles, and avoid polishes altogether, which can burnish the texture unevenly.
Living finishes
Aged brass, copper and aged copper are living finishes, which means they are designed to evolve. Touchpoints will gently brighten while sheltered areas deepen in tone, giving each piece a patina that is entirely your own. Simply clean with soapy water and let time do the rest; there is no need to polish a living finish, and doing so would remove the character it has earned.
Dealing with limescale
In hard-water areas, limescale is the main adversary. Prevention is the best cure: drying fittings after use stops deposits forming. If scale does build up on a brass shower head, soften it with warm soapy water and lift it away gently with a soft cloth; many of our shower heads also feature easy-clean nozzles that let you rub deposits free with a fingertip. Never chip at scale or reach for acidic descalers, as both can harm the finish beneath.
A long life, easily maintained
One of the joys of solid brass is that it can be maintained indefinitely. Seals and washers are the working parts of any fitting, and replacing them occasionally is normal, much like servicing a fine watch. We keep spares available so your fittings can keep performing beautifully for years to come.
Cared for in this simple way, handcrafted solid brass does not merely last; it improves, gathering warmth and character that plated fittings never can. A soft cloth, warm water and a moment of your time each week is a small price for fittings that will still be beautiful decades from now.