History of Brasso: Britain's 100-Year-Old Metal Polish Legacy

This January, as I was sorting through boxes of my late grandfather's effects—a task that's been sitting on my to-do list for longer than I care to admit—I found something that stopped me cold. A tin of Brasso, its distinctive blue and gold design faded but unmistakable, dated 1962. The can was empty, but the residual smell of ammonia and that particular petroleum sweetness still clung to the metal. And it struck me: this stuff has been around for over a century.

Few brands in British consumer history can claim the kind of staying power that Brasso enjoys. Walk into any supermarket in the UK today—Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's—and you'll find it there, often in the same style of packaging that would have been recognisable to your great-grandparents. What's interesting here is not just that the product survived, but how it came to exist in the first place.

The Origins: From Hull to Your Kitchen Drawer

The Brasso story begins not in a laboratory, but in Australia. In 1886, Reckitt & Sons—the Hull-based household products company founded by Isaac Reckitt in 1840—opened its first international branch in Sydney. This isn't some minor footnote; it's the key to understanding how Brasso came to be.

During a visit to the Australian operations in 1904, W. H. Slack, one of Reckitt's senior representatives, noticed something curious. Local households were using a liquid metal polish that had largely replaced the traditional paste formulations common in Britain. The product was flying off shelves, and Slack—clearly a man who understood market opportunity when he saw it—immediately shipped samples back to the chemists in Hull.

The technical challenge was significant. Creating a stable liquid suspension of abrasives, solvents, and ammonia compounds that could remove tarnish without damaging metal surfaces required precise formulation. By 1905, Reckitt's chemists had cracked it, and Brasso metal polish was born—the United Kingdom's first liquid metal cleaner.

But here's the bit that genuinely surprised me when I was researching this. The early distribution of Brasso faced an unexpected obstacle: railway companies classified it as dangerous goods. The hydrocarbon components in the mixture gave it a flash point of 72°F (22°C), which meant railways could charge premium rates for transporting it. Reckitt's appealed repeatedly, hoping to reduce distribution costs. The railways disagreed. Commerce, it seems, has always been complicated.

What's Actually in the Tin?

I'll admit to a certain fascination with formulation. My favourite store manager—and yes, industry analysts do have favourite store managers—once told me that the most successful products are often the simplest in concept but complex in execution. Brasso fits that description perfectly.

The modern formula contains several key components:

For the UK wadding version:

• C8–10 Alkane/Cycloalkane/Aromatic Hydrocarbons (the solvent base)
• Quartz and Kaolinite (the abrasive elements)
• Fatty acids (C14–18)
• Ammonium Hydroxide (the tarnish-cutting agent)
• Iron Hydroxide

For the liquid version:

The composition is similar but adjusted for different application methods. It relies on the same basic chemistry: fine abrasives suspended in a solvent that allows the ammonia compounds to penetrate tarnish layers while the quartz particles provide gentle mechanical polishing action.

The cloth turns black because you're literally removing oxidised metal. That blackness is the tarnish—copper oxides, brass patina, chromium deposits—transferring from the surface to your cloth. It's chemistry and abrasion working in tandem.

What makes this formulation remarkable is its stability. The formula changed significantly in 2008 to comply with US volatile organic compounds regulations, and the iconic metal bottle was replaced with plastic. But the fundamental chemistry? Largely unchanged for over a century. You're using essentially the same product your grandmother used to polish her doorknobs.

How to Clean Brass Properly: A Practical Guide

After covering the industry for fifteen years, I've learned that products like Brasso work best when used correctly. And most people, frankly, don't use them correctly.

Step 1: Preparation

Shake the tin vigorously. I cannot stress this enough. The polishing compounds settle to the bottom, and if you don't mix properly, you'll apply something closer to coloured water than actual polish. If the product comes out nearly clear, you haven't shaken it enough.

Step 2: Application

Apply a small amount—genuinely, a dime-sized dollop is plenty for most jobs—to a soft, lint-free cloth. Cotton works well; old t-shirts are brilliant for this. Never use paper towels, which can scratch. And critically: apply the polish to the cloth, not directly to the metal.

Step 3: The Rubbing Stage

Use light pressure in circular motions. The product will create a white, chalky residue as it dries. This is normal. You're watching the solvent evaporate while the abrasive does its work.

Step 4: Buffing

Here's where patience matters. Wait for the white residue to develop fully, then use a clean, dry cloth to buff the surface. The transformation—from dull, oxidised metal to a mirror-like shine—can be genuinely satisfying. I spent an afternoon last month on a set of brass hinges from the 1920s. The before and after would have made excellent content, if I hadn't been too absorbed in the process to take photographs.

A Word of Caution

Brasso is abrasive. Over time, repeated polishing will wear metal surfaces. The National Trust, which cares for countless historic brass fittings, actually recommends alternative approaches for valuable antiques. If you're cleaning something with genuine historical or monetary value, consider consulting a professional first.

The Brasso Product Range: Wadding vs Liquid

Walk down the cleaning aisle of any major supermarket and you'll typically find two Brasso options: the liquid polish and the wadding (sometimes sold under the Duraglit name, which Reckitt also owns).

Brasso Liquid

• Best for: Heavy tarnishing, detailed work, items with intricate patterns
• Pros: More versatile, better for reaching crevices
• Cons: Can be messier, requires separate cloths for application and buffing

Brasso Wadding

• Best for: Flat surfaces, quick touch-ups, maintaining already-polished items
• Pros: Convenient, less mess, built-in applicator
• Cons: Less effective for heavily tarnished items, can leave fibres

The wadding is essentially cotton impregnated with the same polish formula. It's convenient—brilliantly so for quick jobs—but I've found the liquid version more effective for seriously neglected brass.

There's also Silvo, Brasso's sister product specifically formulated for silver and chrome. And in 2010, Reckitt launched Brasso Gadgetcare, a non-abrasive gel for electronic screens. The latter never quite caught on—it always seemed like an odd brand extension—but it shows how companies try to leverage established brand equity in new categories.

Caring for Antique Brass and Heirlooms

This is where my professional caution kicks in. Antique brass has value precisely because of its age, and aggressive polishing can actually reduce that value by removing the natural patina that develops over decades.

Here's what I wish someone had told me before I enthusiastically attacked a Georgian brass fitting with Brasso:

1. Test first. Always apply a tiny amount to an inconspicuous area before committing to a full polish.
2. Consider whether polishing is necessary. That dark, aged appearance isn't always tarnish requiring removal. Sometimes it's desirable patina that collectors and historians value.
3. Use minimal product. Less is genuinely more with antique items. The goal is gentle cleaning, not restoration to factory-new appearance.
4. Consider alternatives. A gentle wipe with warm soapy water may be sufficient for delicate items. Some collectors prefer natural methods—lemon and salt, or vinegar and flour paste—for vintage pieces.
5. Know when to stop. If you've been working on a spot for more than a few seconds without visible improvement, stop. You're now removing metal, not tarnish.

I know some of you are thinking this sounds overly cautious for a household cleaning product. But I've seen too many cases where enthusiastic polishing destroyed the character—and monetary value—of antique brass. Better to err on the side of preservation.

The Corporate Journey: From Reckitt & Sons to Reckitt Benckiser

The company that created Brasso has had quite the corporate evolution. Isaac Reckitt started in Hull in 1840, initially manufacturing starch. The business grew to include black lead, laundry blue, and household polish—the everyday essentials of Victorian domestic life.

Reckitt & Sons became a private company in 1879 and went public in 1888. The Australian branch that would inspire Brasso opened in 1886. By the early 20th century, Reckitt was a major force in British household products.

In 1938, Reckitt merged with J. & J. Colman, their major competitor in the starch market, forming Reckitt & Colman. This combined entity would dominate British household products for decades.

The next major transformation came in 1999, when Reckitt & Colman merged with Dutch company Benckiser N.V. to form Reckitt Benckiser—the consumer goods giant now simply known as Reckitt, headquartered in Slough.

Today, Brasso sits in a portfolio alongside brands like Dettol, Vanish, Finish, and Nurofen. It's a strange thought: the same corporate entity that makes your dishwasher tablets also produces a product formula essentially unchanged since Edwardian England.

Where to Buy Brasso in the UK

One thing that strikes me about Brasso is its near-universal availability. Unlike many heritage brands that have retreated to specialist retailers, Brasso maintains presence across virtually every UK supermarket chain.

Current pricing (as of January 2026):

• Tesco: Brasso liquid and wadding both stocked, typically around £3-4
• Asda: Similar pricing, often good for multipacks
• Morrisons: Reliable stock in home care sections
• Sainsbury's: Premium positioning, sometimes slightly higher pricing
• Wilko (now Poundland): Often the best value on larger sizes

You can also find it on Amazon, in hardware shops, and increasingly in discount stores like B&M. The 1-litre professional size offers the best value per millilitre if you're doing significant polishing work.

Using Grocefully's comparison tools can help you find the best current price across retailers—particularly useful when you need the larger sizes for bigger jobs.

How to Keep Brass from Tarnishing

Here's the fundamental truth about brass: it will tarnish. The copper in the alloy reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, and no amount of polishing creates permanent protection.

However, you can significantly slow the process:

Apply a protective coating. After polishing, a thin layer of clear lacquer or car wax creates a barrier against oxidation. Renaissance Wax is the professional conservator's choice, though even a light application of beeswax polish helps.

Control humidity. Brass tarnishes faster in humid environments. If you have brass items you want to keep polished, consider their placement—a bathroom or kitchen isn't ideal.

Handle with gloves or clean cloths. The oils from your fingers accelerate tarnishing. Museum conservators never touch brass directly, and while that's probably excessive for household items, it's worth considering for treasured pieces.

Regular maintenance beats occasional deep cleaning. A quick buff with Brasso wadding every few weeks is easier than a major restoration every year.

The Cultural Significance of Brasso

There's something quintessentially British about Brasso. It appears in countless memoirs and military accounts—generations of service personnel spent hours with Brasso and button sticks, polishing cap badges and belt buckles to parade-ground perfection. "Brasso and blanco" was the soundtrack to National Service.

The distinctive tins have become collectibles in their own right. Vintage Brasso cans, with their bold graphics and "British Make" branding, represent a particular moment in British commercial design. I've seen them sell for £20-30 at antique fairs—empty, mind you.

And Brasso has found unusual applications over the years. It's been used to de-copper rifle barrels (the ammonia helps remove copper fouling). It's polished scratches out of CDs, DVDs, and even smartphone screens. I've heard of it being used on everything from piano pedals to yacht fittings.

What strikes me most, though, is its staying power. In an era when brands rise and fall with bewildering speed, Brasso has quietly persisted. It does one thing well, it's done it for over a century, and—unless brass suddenly becomes obsolete—it'll probably keep doing it for another century.

That 1962 tin from my grandfather's collection is now cleaned up and sitting on my desk. A reminder, perhaps, that some products earn their longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use Brasso?

Shake the tin well first—the polishing compounds settle at the bottom. Apply a small amount (about a dime-sized drop) to a soft, lint-free cloth rather than directly to the metal. Rub gently in circular motions until a white residue forms, then buff off with a clean dry cloth. Work in a well-ventilated area as the ammonia content produces strong fumes.

How do you clean brass?

For general brass cleaning, start by dusting or wiping with a damp cloth to remove loose dirt. Apply Brasso or similar metal polish to a soft cloth and rub in circular motions. Let it dry to a haze, then buff vigorously with a clean cloth. For heavily tarnished items, you may need to repeat the process. Always test on an inconspicuous area first, especially with antiques.

How do you clean heavily corroded brass?

Heavily corroded brass requires patience. Begin with warm soapy water to remove surface grime. Then apply Brasso more liberally than usual, working in small sections. For stubborn tarnish, let the polish sit for a few minutes before rubbing. You may need multiple applications. If corrosion is severe, consider professional restoration rather than aggressive home cleaning which might damage the metal.

How do you clean brass door handles?

Remove the handles if possible—it makes the job much easier and protects surrounding paintwork. Clean off accumulated grime with warm soapy water first. Apply Brasso to a cloth, polish each handle thoroughly, and buff to a shine. For handles that can't be removed, protect the surrounding area with masking tape and work carefully. Consider applying a protective wax coating afterwards to slow future tarnishing.

Can you clean brass without Brasso?

Yes, several household alternatives work for cleaning brass. A paste of equal parts flour, salt, and white vinegar is effective—apply, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse and buff. Lemon juice with salt also works well. Tomato ketchup, surprisingly, contains enough acidity to remove light tarnish. However, for heavily tarnished brass or professional results, commercial polishes like Brasso typically outperform natural alternatives.

How do you stop brass from tarnishing?

Brass tarnishes because copper in the alloy reacts with air and moisture. To slow this, apply a protective coating after polishing—clear lacquer, car wax, or beeswax polish all work. Keep polished brass in low-humidity environments away from bathrooms and kitchens. Handle with clean cloths rather than bare hands, as finger oils accelerate tarnishing. Regular light maintenance is easier than occasional deep restoration.

Is Brasso safe for antique brass?

Use Brasso cautiously on antiques. It's mildly abrasive and, over time, can remove metal along with tarnish. For valuable antique brass, test on a hidden area first and use minimal product with light pressure. Consider that the aged patina on antiques may actually be desirable and add value—aggressive polishing can diminish both character and monetary worth. For museum-quality pieces, consult a professional conservator.