A metal lamp can look brand new for decades – or lose its finish after one “thorough” cleaning. The difference almost never lies in diligence, but in knowledge: matte black, brass, copper and chrome are four completely different finishes, and most home remedies that work on one will ruin the others. In this guide we go through each of them: how to recognise what you’re dealing with, what to clean with safely, when (and whether at all) to polish, what waxing does – and what you should never do to a metal lamp.
Maciej Hudaszek