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Cause of Tarnish
Tarnish occurs when unlacquered brass is exposed to air. The process is called oxidization. When brass tarnishes, the color dulls and darkens so that the metal looks stained. If the brass is lacquered, it's protected from oxidization. Sometimes the lacquer can crack or sustain damage, allowing oxygen to get to the brass and tarnish it.
Removing Tarnish
If unlacquered brass is heavily tarnished, wash it in hot, soapy water or a solution of weak ammonia and water. Rinse the brass thoroughly. Make a paste with flour, salt and vinegar and rub the brass with a soft cloth. Once it's clean, wash it in hot, soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly, then polish it. Light tarnish can be removed with regular polishing. A soft cloth moistened with lemon oil can polish the brass. If you'd prefer a soft finish to the polish, make a paste with whiting and boiled linseed oil. Rub the brass with the paste using a soft cloth, wipe off any excess paste with a soft cloth, then polish it with a clean cloth.
Preventative Care for Brass
Make sure your brass is lacquered, if possible. This will protect the brass from tarnishing, and you won't have to keep polishing it to keep it looking beautiful. If the brass is unlacquered, wipe it with a small amount of liquid ammonia on a soft cloth each week to keep it shiny.
General Care for Brass
Lacquered brass should not be polished, washed in hot water or soaked in water. This can crack the lacquer and cause tarnish. Lacquered brass can be washed gently with lukewarm soapy water, rinsed with lukewarm water and dried with a hair dryer on the warm setting. Unlacquered brass needs to be polished regularly to keep it clean and shiny.