I have listed below two similar recipes for homemade case cleaning solutions. If you would like to add your own recipe to this list, email me at vikings@mebtel.net .

Here are the recipes for cleaning 'really dirty brass' :

  1    quart of water
  1    cup white vinegar
  1/2  cup lemon juice
  1/4  cup laundry or dishwashing detergent
  1/8  cup salt


  1    pint of water
  1    cup white vinegar
  1    tablespoon laundry or dishwashing detergent
  1    tablespoon salt

In either case, agitate every few minutes for 15-20 minutes, then remove and dry your brass. These cleaners tend to give the brass a pink hue, but will "shine right up" if you then polish them in a tumbler.

Another method for cleaning cases when a tumbler is not available, although not a 'homemade' device or recipe, is to use Hoppe's QUICK CLEAN cloth. Apparently, a quick, firm wipe around the caseneck/shoulder region does the trick.

Here's one from a reader named Hein. It's his own "South African" solution which he says cleans brass very well -- natural shine is like new -- and it won't ruin the brass.

The recipe is:

  500 ml  cold/hot water
   50 mg  Cream of Tartar
   50 ml  Dishwashing liquid

Mix wel and put brass in. Leave for 10 minutes. Unfortunately this is in metric units ... but shouldn't be too hard to convert.

And another from a reader - this one from Ron:

  two cups vinegar
  one cup water 
  one quarter cup salt 
  one cup simple green cleaner

Soak brass for 15 - 20 minutes, shake every 5 minutes or so. Rinse cases with hot water. Blow dry with air compressor at 100 psi or more.

Last updated : 30 March 2004