Brass

• 1). Mix one part ammonia to eight parts water.
  
  
• 2). Immerse brass items in the mixture and let them sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
  
  
• 3). Remove the items from the cleaning solution and wipe them dry.
  
  
• 4). Dampen a cloth and dip it in ketchup. Use the cloth to polish pieces of brass that are too large to immerse in a cleaning solution.
  
  
• 5). Wipe the brass clean.
  
  

Silver

• 1). Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and lay silver items in a single layer on top of the foil.
  
  
• 2). Cover the silver items with a dusting of baking soda.
  
  
• 3). Boil enough water to fill the pan. Once the water comes to a boil, pour it into the foil-lined pan.
  
  
• 4). Allow the items to soak for about 15 minutes. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth.
  
  
• 5). Polish silver items that are too large to be immersed with toothpaste or a paste made from baking soda and water. Rinse and wipe dry.