The simplest way to keep a brass bed looking its best is to dust it regularly with a soft, dry cloth, wash it occasionally with mild soapy water, dry it straight away and avoid abrasive or harsh cleaners. Before anything else, find out whether your bed is lacquered, unlacquered or brass plated, because each finish needs slightly different care. Get that right, and a brass bed will stay handsome for decades.
Brass beds have a long history in British bedrooms, and well looked after examples can last for generations. Whether yours is a vintage piece or a newer design from our metal beds UK sale range, the care routine below will help protect it. If you are furnishing the rest of the room, our modern bedroom furniture UK collection includes pieces that sit well alongside warm metal finishes.
Brass beds generally fall into three groups, and knowing which you have will guide everything else.
Lacquered brass has a clear protective coating applied over the metal. It keeps the shine and slows tarnishing. Most modern brass beds are lacquered. The surface usually looks evenly bright and feels very smooth.
Unlacquered brass has no protective coating. It tarnishes gradually, developing a darker, warmer patina over time. Many antique brass beds are unlacquered, or their original lacquer has worn away.
Brass plated beds have a thin layer of brass over another metal, usually steel. They look like solid brass but need gentle care, since polishing too hard can wear through the plating.
If you are unsure, check the product information or ask the maker. A small magnet can also help: it will usually stick to brass plated steel but not to solid brass. If you see uneven tarnish in patches, the lacquer may have worn in those places.
Dust is the main enemy of a brass finish. It dulls the surface and, combined with moisture, can contribute to tarnish. A quick dust once a week keeps the bed bright.
Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a clean cotton duster. Work from the top of the headboard downwards, paying attention to joints, finials and the tops of rails where dust collects. A soft paintbrush helps reach into decorative scrolls and castings.
Every month or so, or whenever the bed looks dull, give it a gentle wash.
Drying is the important step. Water left on brass, especially in joints, can leave spots and encourage tarnish. Never soak the frame or use a dripping wet cloth.
Brass shows fingerprints easily, particularly on the top rail of the headboard where people lean or hold on when sitting up. The natural oils from skin can gradually mark the finish. A dry microfibre cloth usually removes them. For stubborn marks, use the mild soapy water method above.
If fingerprints are a regular problem, encourage everyone to lean on pillows rather than the bare metal, and give the headboard a quick wipe as part of your weekly routine.
With lacquered brass, the goal is to protect the coating. Avoid metal polish entirely, because it is designed to work on bare brass and can strip or cloud lacquer. Stick to dusting and gentle washing.
If the lacquer becomes scratched or begins to peel in places, tarnish may appear beneath. Small areas can sometimes be touched up, but extensive damage usually requires professional stripping and relacquering. Treating the surface gently from the start is the best way to avoid this.
Unlacquered brass gives you a choice: keep it bright by polishing, or let it age naturally.
Use a good quality brass polish, applied sparingly with a soft cloth, following the product’s instructions. Work in small sections and buff with a clean cloth. Polishing every few months is usually enough. Wear gloves, keep the room ventilated and protect bedding and flooring from polish residue.
Many people prefer the soft, mellow patina that unlacquered brass develops over time. It gives a bed character and suits period homes well. If you choose this approach, simply dust and wash as normal. The patina will deepen gradually and evenly.
Some people use simple household mixtures to clean brass, such as lemon juice with salt or bicarbonate of soda. These can work on unlacquered brass, but they are mildly abrasive and acidic, so test on a hidden area first, use gently and rinse and dry thoroughly. Never use them on lacquered or plated finishes.
Brass plated beds need the gentlest treatment of all. Dust regularly, wash occasionally with mild soapy water and dry carefully. Avoid polishes and abrasive pads, which can wear through the plating and expose the metal beneath. If you notice the base metal showing through, contact the manufacturer for advice before trying to repair it.
Brass reacts to moisture in the air, so bedrooms prone to condensation can speed up tarnishing. Open windows regularly, avoid drying laundry in the bedroom and consider a dehumidifier if condensation is persistent.
Strong, direct sunlight can, over time, affect some lacquers. If your bed sits in a sunny spot, blinds or curtains during the brightest part of the day can help protect the finish.
Looking after a brass bed is not only about appearance. A loose frame can rub and wear the finish at the joints. Every few months, check and tighten the bolts and fittings. Use the right size of spanner or screwdriver and avoid overtightening, which can mark the brass.
If you notice squeaking, check that the slats are seated properly and that the legs are level. Felt pads on the feet protect both the floor and the brass, and small felt washers at joints can reduce noise.
A good quality, supportive mattress also helps the frame, as it spreads weight evenly. Pair your brass bed with a mattress that suits its base and size. If you are choosing a new frame, our double metal beds UK include warm metallic finishes that respond well to the care routine described here.
A few times a year, take a closer look at the whole bed:
Catching small issues early is much easier than dealing with larger repairs later.
A brass bed is a statement in its own right, so the room around it can stay fairly calm. Deep greens, soft blues, warm whites and plaster pinks all complement brass. Natural wood furniture, particularly walnut and oak, adds warmth. Warm white bulbs in bedside lamps make brass glow softly in the evening.
Choosing bedside pieces that will age gracefully alongside the bed is worthwhile, and our article on investment bedside cabinets for UK bedrooms looks at designs built to last as long as a well kept brass frame.
Brass beds reward a little regular care. Dust weekly, wash gently when needed, dry thoroughly and treat the finish according to its type. Check the frame a few times a year, and it should stay steady, quiet and handsome for many years. You can explore metal beds and coordinating bedroom furniture at Furniture in Fashion.
Lacquered brass usually looks evenly bright and feels very smooth. Unlacquered brass tarnishes over time. If tarnish appears in patches, the lacquer may have worn in those areas. Check the product information if you are unsure.
Only on unlacquered solid brass. Metal polish can damage lacquered finishes and wear through brass plating, so stick to gentle washing for those.
Dust weekly, wash gently every month or so and check the joints and finish a few times a year. Polishing unlacquered brass every few months is usually enough.
Keep it dry and dust free, reduce bedroom condensation and avoid touching the metal with bare hands where possible. Lacquered brass resists tarnish best.
Squeaks usually come from loose bolts, slats rubbing or uneven legs. Tighten the fittings, check the slats and add felt pads or washers where metal meets metal.
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