Y’all, I have a confession. I am a Facebook Marketplace addict. I scroll FBMP the way some people scroll Instagram before bed. And honestly? Some of my favorite home finds have come from random sellers in my area who had no idea what they were sitting on.
That is exactly how I found these brass swans.
I was scrolling one night and spotted them. And my heart just stopped for a second. Because they reminded me of my Tia, who passed away during COVID. She loved ducks and swans. Had them all over her house. Every shelf, every table, every little corner. If it had wings and a long neck, she wanted it. She was the sweetest person and she always cooked the most amazing meals. I miss her so much.
So when I saw these brass swans pop up on Marketplace, I knew I had to grab them. Not just because they were pretty, but because they felt like a little piece of her. I wanted to give them new life and keep them somewhere I could see them every day.
I sent my mom a picture and she immediately said, “ah yo quiero unos! Dichosa que sabes buscarlos!” Which basically translates to, “I want some! You’re lucky you know how to find them!” So what did I do? Went right back to FBMP and found another set for my mama. She said her sister (my Tia) had a set just like them. It was meant to be.
But here’s the thing. When you buy brass from a stranger on the internet, it is not going to show up looking like a Pottery Barn catalog piece. These swans were tarnished, dull, and honestly kind of sad looking. They needed some serious love.
Why I Used The Pink Stuff Instead of Bar Keeper’s Friend
Now, if you Google “how to clean brass,” about 90% of the results are going to tell you to use Bar Keeper’s Friend. And I get it. Bar Keeper’s Friend is a solid product. A lot of people swear by the powder form for polishing brass and copper.
But I had two problems.
First, I didn’t have the powder form on hand. I know, I know. A DIY blogger who doesn’t have Bar Keeper’s Friend in her cabinet. Shocking. But it happens.
Second, and more importantly, Bar Keeper’s Friend has a pretty strong chemical smell. My kids are always around. Always. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. There is no such thing as “I’ll just do this real quick while they’re not looking.” Someone is always watching, always touching, always asking, “Mama, what’s that?” I wanted something I felt comfortable using around them without worrying about fumes or ventilation.
Enter The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste.
If you haven’t tried The Pink Stuff yet, where have you been? This little pink tub of paste has been all over social media for a reason. It is a mild abrasive cleaner that works on basically everything. Stove tops, sinks, tile, glass, outdoor furniture, and yes, brass. It has a light, fruity scent instead of harsh chemical fumes. It is cruelty free and vegan. And the best part? It is incredibly budget friendly. A single tub costs about five to six dollars and lasts forever because a little goes a long way.
I had already been using The Pink Stuff around the house for stovetop stains, bathroom grout, and stubborn marks on my kitchen sink. So when I needed to clean these brass swans, I thought, why not try it? Worst case, it doesn’t work and I order Bar Keeper’s Friend. Best case, I save a trip and get my swans shining.
Spoiler alert. It worked.
What You Need to Clean Brass with The Pink Stuff
This is one of those projects where the supply list is embarrassingly short. You don’t need a bunch of fancy tools or specialty products. Here’s what I used:
- The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste (the original tub, not the spray)
- A microfiber sponge or soft cloth
- A bowl of warm water for rinsing
- A soft dry towel for buffing
That’s it. No gloves needed, no ventilation fan, no running the kids out of the room. Just you, the paste, and some elbow grease.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Brass with The Pink Stuff
Step 1: Check That Your Piece Is Actually Brass
Before you start scrubbing, make sure what you have is actually solid brass and not brass-plated steel. The easiest way? Grab a magnet. If the magnet sticks, your piece is plated and you will want to be extra gentle (or skip the abrasive cleaners entirely). If the magnet does not stick, you have solid brass and you are good to go.
All of my swans passed the magnet test. Solid brass, baby.
Step 2: Rinse or Wipe Down Your Piece
Give your brass a quick rinse with warm water or wipe it down with a damp cloth. You want to get rid of any loose dust or debris before applying the paste. If the piece is really dirty, a little dish soap at this stage doesn’t hurt.
Step 3: Apply The Pink Stuff Paste
Scoop a small amount of The Pink Stuff onto your microfiber sponge or cloth. You really don’t need much. Start rubbing it onto the brass in small circular motions. The paste will pick up tarnish and oxidation as you work, and you will actually see the grime transferring onto your sponge. It is honestly so satisfying.
Make sure you work it into any grooves, crevices, or detailed areas. For my swans, the necks and wing feathers had the most buildup, so I spent a little extra time on those spots.
Step 4: Let It Sit (Optional)
For really heavy tarnish, you can leave the paste on for a few minutes before wiping it off. I left it on for about five minutes on the spots that were particularly dark. But honestly, even without letting it sit, the paste starts working right away.
Step 5: Rinse and Buff Dry
Once you have scrubbed and polished to your heart’s content, rinse the piece with warm water to remove all the paste residue. The Pink Stuff can leave a slight chalky film if you don’t rinse it well, so make sure you get it all off. Then grab a soft, dry towel and buff the brass until it shines.
And that’s it. Five steps. Maybe ten minutes of actual work depending on the size of your piece.
The Results? I Couldn’t Believe It
Look. I wish I had taken a proper before photo. I really do. I regret it so much. The tarnish on these swans was significant, and the transformation was honestly unreal. They went from dull and dark to clean, shiny, and golden. Like they just came out of someone’s curated vintage collection.
The Pink Stuff removed the tarnish without scratching the surface. No weird discoloration, no pink residue left behind (yes, that can happen with ketchup, don’t even get me started on that method). Just clean, polished brass.
My mom saw the results and immediately asked me to clean her set too. So now I am the official family brass cleaner. I am adding it to my resume.
The Pink Stuff vs. Bar Keeper’s Friend for Brass: Which Is Better?
Let me be honest. Both products work. Bar Keeper’s Friend, especially the powder form, is a go-to for a lot of people who restore vintage brass. It has oxalic acid, which is great for cutting through tough tarnish and oxidation. If your brass piece is extremely tarnished or hasn’t been cleaned in decades, Bar Keeper’s Friend might be the heavier-duty option.
But here is why I lean toward The Pink Stuff, especially for everyday brass cleaning:
Smell. The Pink Stuff has a light, fruity scent. Bar Keeper’s Friend has that sharp chemical smell that lingers. If you have kids, pets, or sensory sensitivities, this matters.
Gentleness. The Pink Stuff is abrasive enough to remove tarnish but gentle enough that I feel confident using it on decorative pieces without worrying about scratching.
Versatility. I already keep The Pink Stuff around for a dozen other cleaning jobs. One product for the stovetop, the sink, the bathroom grout, AND my brass decor? Yes please.
Price. Both are budget friendly, but The Pink Stuff is usually a couple bucks cheaper and lasts a long time.
If you already have Bar Keeper’s Friend in your cabinet and it works for you, keep using it. But if you want something milder, more pleasant to use, and safer to have out around little hands? The Pink Stuff is a great alternative.
Why Brass Deserves a Comeback in Your Home
Brass gets overlooked. People see it and think “outdated” or “my grandma’s house.” But here’s what I think. Brass is warm. It adds character. It mixes beautifully with modern decor. A brass lamp on a minimalist console table? A pair of brass candlesticks on a floating shelf? Chef’s kiss.
And when you source it secondhand, you are keeping beautiful pieces out of landfills and giving them a new story. My brass swans started their journey who-knows-where, ended up on Marketplace, and now they sit in my living room reminding me of my Tia every single day. That means something.
If you have been eyeing brass pieces but felt intimidated about cleaning them up, I hope this post gave you the push you needed. It is truly one of the easiest projects I have ever done. Grab a tub of The Pink Stuff, find yourself a treasure on FBMP, and give it new life.
You got this.
