Care & Maintenance

Mi&Gei hardware is crafted from solid brass, a durable material selected for its strength, character, and natural resistance to moisture.
Solid brass requires very little maintenance, and a few simple care gestures are enough to preserve its appearance.

Our finishes are created through different surface treatments. Lacquered and plated finishes are designed to preserve their color and appearance, while our Natural Brass is intentionally left unlacquered, allowing it to develop a natural patina over time.

Care is intentionally simple. A gentle routine will help protect the surface while allowing the material to age as it was designed to.

NATURAL BRASS

Unlacquered · Living Finish

Natural Brass is our most expressive living finish.

Without a protective lacquer, the solid brass remains in direct contact with its environment. It responds naturally to touch, air, humidity, and daily use. Its color, sheen, and texture will gradually evolve, developing a distinctive patina that is unique to each piece.

This evolution is intentional and is part of the character of the material.

How to care for Natural Brass

For regular care, simply wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth.
Because Natural Brass is unlacquered, it will naturally develop a patina over time. If you wish to restore some of its original shine and reduce the appearance of patina, you may occasionally use a gentle metal cleaning and polishing product, similar to those used for silverware.
Apply a small amount with a soft cloth, then wipe the surface carefully.
Avoid abrasive or aggressive products, as they may scratch the brass or alter its appearance unevenly.
If you wish to slow the natural patina process afterwards, a high-quality clear paste wax may be applied to clean, completely dry brass.

What to expect

Natural Brass may become warmer, deeper, or darker with use. Areas that are touched frequently may evolve differently from less-handled surfaces. Prefer to keep the original Brass appearance?
Our lacquered Brass finish is available upon request for clients who prefer to preserve the original color and brightness of the brass for longer.

There is no single final appearance. Each piece develops according to the space in which it lives.

CHAMPAGNE BRONZE

Lacquered Finish

Champagne Bronze begins with a controlled surface treatment that creates a warm, golden tone while enhancing the natural color of the brass. A lacquered surface treatment helps preserve the finish and slow its evolution.

Because Mi&Gei finishes are created by hand, subtle variations in tone from one piece to another are inherent to the process and contribute to their individual character.

How to care for Champagne Bronze

Dust and clean with a soft, dry cloth.

Do not use brass polish, abrasive products, chemical cleaners, solvents, or scouring pads. These products can damage the protective lacquer and permanently alter the finish.

Over time, frequently handled areas may naturally show subtle signs of use.

BRONZE

Lacquered Finish

Our Bronze finish is created through a controlled oxidation process that transforms the surface of the brass, producing a deep brown-bronze tone inspired by naturally aged metal.

The surface is lacquered to help preserve its color and character.

As with all hand-applied patina finishes, slight variations in tone are natural and make each piece unique.

How to care for Bronze

Wipe regularly with a soft, dry cloth.

Avoid metal polish, abrasive cleaners, chemical cleaning products, solvents, steel wool, and scouring pads. These can damage the lacquered surface and alter the patina beneath it.

Allow the finish to age naturally. Areas exposed to frequent touch may gradually develop their own subtle character.

CARBON BLACK

Lacquered Finish

Carbon Black is a deep, dark surface treatment applied to solid brass and protected with lacquer.

The finish highlights the sculptural character and texture of each piece while maintaining the materiality of the brass beneath.

How to care for Carbon Black

Clean only with a soft, dry cloth.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, brass or metal polish, chemical cleaning products, solvents, or abrasive sponges. These may mark or remove the protective lacquer.

High-touch areas may show subtle signs of wear over time. This is a natural result of use and the handcrafted nature of the piece.

SATIN NICKEL

Plated Finish

Satin Nickel is created through an electrolytic plating process in which a thin layer of nickel is deposited onto the prepared brass surface.

Its softly brushed appearance offers a refined, understated finish while providing increased resistance to corrosion.

How to care for Satin Nickel

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and surface marks.

Do not use brass polish, metal polish, abrasive cleaners, chemical cleaning products, steel wool, or scouring pads. Abrasive products may damage or unevenly alter the plated surface.

Regular gentle care is all that is required to maintain the finish.

POLISHED NICKEL

Plated Finish

Polished Nickel is applied to solid brass through an electrolytic plating process, creating a smooth, bright surface with a refined reflective quality.

The nickel plating provides both its distinctive appearance and increased resistance to corrosion.

How to care for Polished Nickel

Gently wipe the surface with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.

Avoid brass polish, metal polish, abrasive cleaners, chemical cleaning products, steel wool, and scouring pads. These can scratch or compromise the plated surface.

For the best appearance, gently remove fingerprints and surface marks as part of regular care.

Solid brass, made for everyday spaces

Solid brass naturally resists weather, moisture, and corrosion, making it particularly well suited to kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid environments.

Regular exposure to humidity, water, salt air, and frequent handling may influence how a finish ages. To preserve the surface treatment, do not allow household cleaners, soaps, cosmetics, or standing water to remain on the hardware.

Wipe away residue and moisture with a soft cloth as part of your regular care routine.

Natural Brass may develop its patina more quickly in humid or coastal environments. This is a natural reaction of the unlacquered material to its surroundings.

Each Mi&Gei piece is individually crafted and finished.

Subtle differences in tone, texture, and surface are part of the process, particularly with hand-applied patinas. Two pieces may not be perfectly identical, and their appearance may continue to evolve differently depending on touch, use, climate, and location.

These variations are not flaws. They are part of what gives each object its singular character.

For larger projects where finish consistency is particularly important, we recommend reviewing a finish sample before placing your full order.