How to Remove Oil Stains from Brass

It is no surprise that oil lamps often get oil stains. Use one of the methods below to clean the oil from the metal.

Use a powder to soak up the oily reisdue.¹ Flour, baby powder, cornstarch or baking soda can work well for this purpose. Keep in mind that cornstarch and baking soda are mild abrasives and use caution so as not to scratch the finish on the brass.

You Will Need:

• An oil-absorbing powder, such as flour or baby powder
• Plastic wrap

Steps to Remove the Oil:

1. Cut a piece of plastic wrap and place a small pile of your selected powder near one side of the plastic wrap.
2. Place your hand under the powdered area of the plastic wrap, hold the powder against the stained area on the lamp and wrap the plastic wrap around the lamp to hold the powder in place.
3. Allow the powder to soak up the oil overnight, then remove the poultice and the oil stain should be gone. Repeat if needed.
4. Rinse away any powder residue with water; do not scrub the powder, as it could scratch the finish on the brass.
5. Instead of using plastic wrap, you can simply bury the lamp in a pile of flour overnight. Just be sure that the powder is touching the oil stains on the lamp.

Use a grease-fighting cleaner to cut through the oil, such as liquid dish soap.² Keep in mind that strong chemicals, such as paint thinner or vinegar, can remove the lacquer and tarnish from the brass.

You Will Need:

• A grease-fighting dish soap
• White vinegar
• Paint thinner

Steps to Remove the Oil:

1. Clean the lamp in the sink with warm water and wipe away the oil with the dish soap on a soft sponge.
2. Vinegar can be effective for cutting through oil, as well as for removing any tarnish from the brass. Fill a sink or bucket with one part white vinegar and ten parts water. Soak the lamp in the solution until the oil stain is removed.³
3. Paint thinner is also effective for cutting through oil.¹ Dampen a soft sponge with the paint thinner and wipe the paint thinner onto the stain. Allow the paint thinner to soak for several minutes, then wipe away the paint thinner and oily residue.

• Do not paint over any oil residue, as the oil can seep through the paint.⁴ Remove the oil completely, then paint the piece if still desired.

1. Baking Soda by Vicky Lansky
2. Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
3. Practical Household Uses of Vinegar by Margaret Briggs
4. The Super Stain Remover Book by Jack Cassimatis