Does vinegar clean brass?

Yes. White vinegar with salt works similarly to lemon and baking soda. Soak small items or apply as a paste.

How do you keep brass from tarnishing?

Apply paste wax, lacquer spray, or Renaissance wax after polishing. Store in a dry area.

Often no. The patina adds value and character. Gently clean with soap and water only, preserving the aged look.

On solid uncoated brass, yes. Never on lacquered, plated, or antique brass.

Jewelry

Your brass will sparkle like the day you got them with the right cleaning technique. Here's the safe way that jewelers recommend.

1
Test if it's real brass
Hold a magnet to the item. Real brass is not magnetic. If the magnet sticks, it's brass-plated and needs gentler cleaning.
2
Clean with lemon and baking soda
Cut a lemon in half, dip in baking soda, and rub onto the brass surface. The citric acid dissolves tarnish while baking soda scrubs.
3
Let it work
For heavy tarnish, make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Apply and let sit for 30 minutes.
4
Rinse and buff
Rinse under warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth. The brass should be noticeably brighter.

TIPKetchup works surprisingly well on brass. Apply, wait 10 minutes, then wipe clean. The acetic and citric acids dissolve tarnish.
TIPIf you prefer the aged patina, just clean with soap and water. Polishing is aesthetic, not necessary.
TIPApply a thin coat of paste wax after polishing to slow future tarnishing.

XUsing abrasive scrubbers on brass, which scratch the soft metal and create dull areas.
XPolishing lacquered brass with acidic cleaners, which strips the protective lacquer coating.
XScrubbing antique brass aggressively, which removes valuable patina that adds to its character and value.

Use a magnet. Real solid brass is not magnetic. Brass-plated items attract a magnet because the base metal is steel.