How to Clean Your Dog's ID Tag
To clean your dog's ID tag, soak it in a bowl of 2 cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid once a week. After a few minutes, scrub the tag with a soft sponge until it turns shiny. If you still see dirt on the lettering after scrubbing the tag, use an old toothbrush to clean the letters. As an optional extra, give your tag additional shine by polishing it with natural ingredients, like ketchup for brass tags or olive oil if it's made of stainless steel. Once you're finished, dry the tag with a towel before reattaching it to your dog's collar.
Soak the ID tag. In a medium-sized bowl, mix 2 cups of warm water with one table spoon of dishwashing liquid. Gently remove the dog tag from your dog's collar and place it in the bowl. Let it soak for several minutes. This cleaning mixture is suitable for both brass and stainless steel dog ID tags. Gently scrub the dog tag. Dip a regular, non-abrasive sponge into the cleaning mixture. Scrub the tag gently until it looks clean and the shine returns. Rinse the tag. Remove dirt from lettering. After cleaning, check the ID tag to see if the engraved lettering is legible. If there is still dirt caught in the tiny engraved lettering, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the letters until they are clean. Rinse away any debris. Dry the tag. Dry the dog tag by patting it with a soft cloth or paper towel. Let it sit for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure that it is dry. Reattach the tag to the dog collar. Clean the tag regularly. Dog tags experience a lot of wear and tear, and can quickly collect dirt, grime, and grease. If tags become too dirty, they will not be readable and won't serve their purpose. Be sure to wash your dog's ID tag at least once a week to keep it in decent shape. Make a vinegar mixture. In a sturdy glass bowl, mix 1 cup of regular white vinegar with one tablespoon of salt. Heat the mixture in a microwave until it is very warm, but not too hot to use. Stir the mixture. Only use this mixture for brass dog tags – over time, exposure to salt and vinegar mixes can damage stainless steel. Soak the dog ID tag. Place the brass ID tag in the mixture and leave it to soak. Check the tag every 10 minutes or so. Remove it once it looks clean. Given the strong smell of the vinegar, opt to place the bowl outside while the tag soaks if possible. Rinse the tag. Rinse the tag thoroughly, making sure to remove all traces of vinegar. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, pat the tag dry. Be sure to dry it completely as brass develops water spots very easily. Prepare a cleaning cloth. Pour a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol onto a clean, soft cloth. Alternatively, use a soft sponge or paper towel. Be sure to stay away from heat and open flames as rubbing alcohol is quite flammable. Wipe down the tag. Gently wipe the dog tag with the cloth, staying with the grain of the metal. Be sure to remove all oil, grime, and fingerprints from the surface. Continue wiping until all the lettering on the tag is clearly visible. For a more thorough cleaning, soak the tag in a cup of rubbing alcohol for 5-10 minutes. Dry the tag. Pat the tag dry with a paper towel. If desired, leave the tag to air dry for several minutes. Repeat this process once a week or whenever the tag looks dirty. Choose what polish to use. There are many ingredients to choose from to polish your dog ID tag with. For a simple option, purchase stainless steel or brass polish (available in most department stores). Otherwise, opt for natural ingredients: Use ketchup to polish brass tags. Use olive oil to polish stainless steel tags. Use a paste of lemon juice and baking soda for both brass and stainless steel. Apply the polish. Put 2-3 drops or dabs of your chosen polish onto a soft, damp cloth. Gently rub the cloth over the surface of the dog tag. Continue until the tag is shiny. Clean off the tag. One the tag is shiny, wipe it clean. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any residual polish on the tag. Wipe dry with a paper towel. 
Soak the ID tag. Gently scrub the dog tag. Remove dirt from lettering. Dry the tag. Clean the tag regularly. Make a vinegar mixture. Soak the dog ID tag. Rinse the tag. Prepare a cleaning cloth. Wipe down the tag. Dry the tag. Choose what polish to use. Apply the polish. Clean off the tag. 