Remove the cabinet knobs, but do it systematically. Make some type of notation on paper where the knob came from such as: left top cabinet. The hardware gets broken in like a favorite pair of shoes and should be put back on the same doors, if possible.

Begin by using a sudsy soap soak in water for 1/2 hour. Follow with a light scrub with a soft brush and a clean water rinse. Dry and polish briskly. If the finish is still dull, dingy or pitted, try a metal cleaning solution.

Copper generally has a lacquer coating that was applied at the factory. If you can keep it clean with the occasional warm soapy wash, fine, but if it is pitted, you may want to remove the lacquer. Boil a couple gallons of water to which 1 cup of washing soda has been added.
Washing soda is not the same as washing powder or baking soda. It is a chemical compound that is highly alkaline with the chemical symbol is Na2CO3 (also referred to as "soda ash"). It is a great product for removing mineral deposits or descaling coffee pots. An alternative method is rub the copper surface with a lemon half dipped in salt. Follow with a lukewarm suds wash and dry. In the future, you may have to use a specific copper cleaner polish.

Stainless steel is best cleaned with an undiluted white vinegar. Rub with the grain of the polish, and then rinse and dry. An alternative is using club soda.
An old-fashioned method to make stainless steel sinks, utensils and knobs gleam is to saturate a white cloth with real butter and give them a protective wipe down.

If you have brass and plated brass knobs, use jeweler's rouge applied with a white clean towel. Rub off all stains and then follow with a soapy wash and dry.

For chrome, prepare a white vinegar soak and rub with a soft terry cloth towel. Rinse well and dry.

Clean aluminum knobs by preparing a large hot water pot filled with 2 tbsp. of cream of tartar added to the water. Follow with a soap pad wash, rinse and dry.

Rub wrought iron knobs with kerosene or a commercial rust remover. Wash with a damp cloth and dry. To further protect after cleaning, apply a coat of liquid wax and buff dry.

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber or vinyl gloves Screwdriver Paper Paper towels Marker Soft brush or soap pad Dishwashing soap White towels Washing soda White vinegar Club soda Lemon halves Salt Naval jelly Jeweler's rouge Cream of tartar Real butter