Rummaging 101: Cleaning Brass with...Ketchup?

As you know, I absolutely love finding the vintage items..especially brass.  Cleaning them, however,  is not always my favorite part of the process.  Depending on how much gunk is on it, it can sometimes be a tedious (although rewarding) process. If I can find a quick shortcut to get the job done, I am all for it. 

I had read time and time again that cleaning brass with ketchup was one such trick.  

Not exactly rocket science, I set out it give it a shot.

STEP 1: Apply ketchup to a cloth and rub all over the brass item. 

(Okay, let's talk about something right here and now. I want to be the kind of girl who always has a manicure but honest to God, it is all I can do to dress myself in the morning. Unlike George Constanza, I am not a hand model and will always cringe at doing these little tutorials where you see my unkempt hands.)

STEP 2: Make sure to give the brass item a decent coat of ketchup and let it set for about a half hour. 

STEP 3: Rub off the ketchup with a clean rag and wash under warm water. 

STEP 4: Dry it.

THE VERDICT: Honestly, meh.  I wanted to love this so much more than I did but for like a half second of scrubbing, I honestly think using polish would be easier. But, if you for some reason run out of polish, this will defintely get you through in a pinch. 

Have yall ever tried this? I read somewhere that you need to let it sit for minimum of an hour.  Did I not let it sit long enough to really get the dirt off? Would love to hear your thoughts!