Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Cleaning with electrolytes
• Part 2 of 3: Removing deposits from delicate silver
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing attacks
• Warnings

Sterling silver is not pure silver (pure silver is also called fine silver), but an alloy containing about ten percent of another metal type such as copper. In fact, silver is a very soft metal and is thus combined with other metals to make it stronger and more functional. Sterling silver is often used for cutlery, serving utensils, jewelery, accessories such as hairpins and even business aids such as letter openers. The silver in sterling silver can be tarnished when it comes into contact with certain pollutants and the other metals in the alloy often react with oxygen, making sterling silver susceptible to corrosion and tarnishing. However, it is possible and relatively easy to clean and polish sterling silver objects, whether you want to clean your favorite watch, your grandmother's soup ladle or your fancy cutlery in preparation for an important dinner.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Cleaning with electrolytes

1. Gather your supplies. The electrolyte method of cleaning silver uses a simple chemical reaction with baking soda, salt, water and aluminum foil to clean and polish sterling silver. This method is not suitable for silver jewelry with porous stones and gemstones such as pearls, shells and turquoise, and antique objects (such as candlesticks) and jewelry that has been put together with glue. For this method you will need:
   • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of salt and baking soda
   • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid dish soap (optional)
   • 500 ml of boiling water
   • A baking pan or bowl that is large enough for the jewelry you want to clean
   • Aluminum foil to cover the baking tin
   • The silver jewelry you want to clean
2. Prepare the baking pan. Line the baking pan with the aluminum foil. Make sure the shiny side of the foil is facing up. Then put your sterling silver jewelry in the baking tin.
3. Add the cleaning products. Pour the salt, baking soda, and dish soap onto the silver jewelry, then pour the boiling water over it. Stir the water to dissolve the salt and baking soda.
   • Make sure that the silver jewelry touches the foil, because the tarnish from the silver ends up on the foil.
4. Wait for the reaction to develop. Leave the silver items in the mixture for five to ten minutes. Don't be alarmed if it smells like rotting eggs as this is just the sulfur on the silver.
   • To get the process started, gently rub the silver with your fingers and move it through the mixture.
5. Rinse and polish the silver. Remove the silver items from the mixture and rinse them under hot water. Gently polish the items with a soft cloth to dry and polish them.
   • Because silver is so soft, it can easily be scratched. Make sure to use a soft, non-abrasive cloth such as a microfiber cloth or a lint-free flannel cloth.
   • Always polish silver in the direction of the grain of the metal. Never rub the silver in circular motions.

Part 2 of 3: Removing deposits from delicate silver

1. Use soap and water. There are several options for cleaning porous gemstone jewelry, watches and antiques where parts are attached with glue, as well as other delicate silver items that should not be immersed in water or cleaned using electrolysis.
   • Mix one tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap without phosphates and ammonia with 250 ml of warm water and stir well. You can use a hand mixer to make foam if you want.
   • Dip a cloth in the soapy water and squeeze out the excess water. Clean the silver with the damp cloth. Rinse the cloth with tap water and wipe away the suds residue. Dry and polish the silver with a clean cloth.
   EXPERT TIP

   Make a baking soda paste. Grab a tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda and mix it with just enough water to make a paste. Clean the silver with the paste using a soft toothbrush or cloth, making sure to get into the nooks and crannies with the bristles.

   • When the silver is clean, rinse it under hot tap or wipe off the remaining paste with a damp cloth. Dry and polish the silver with a clean cloth.
2. Use lemon juice and olive oil. In a small bowl, mix a teaspoon (5 ml) of lemon juice with 325 ml of olive oil. Dip a cloth in the mixture, wring the cloth and use it to polish your silver.
   • Soak small objects that can be submerged in the oil and lemon juice mixture. Place the bowl in a small saucepan. Fill the saucepan with enough water to let the bowl separate from the bottom and put everything on the stove. Heat everything over medium heat. Keep the water hot, but not boiling, and let the items soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
   • Remove the pan from the heat and remove the silver from the oil and lemon juice mixture. Gently scrub the silver with a soft toothbrush.
   • After polishing or heating on the stove, rinse the silver with hot water to remove the residue of the mixture. Then dry the silver with a soft cloth.
3. Try it with glass cleaner. You can also use glass cleaner to clean silver. Spray some glass cleaner on a soft cloth or toothbrush. Clean the silver with the cloth and then rinse the silver under hot water or wipe off the cleaner residue with a damp cloth.
   • Dry and polish the silver with a soft cloth.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing attacks

1. Keep the silver away from tarnishing substances. All substances that contain sulfur ensure that deposits form on the silver. To prevent this from happening, keep the silver away from things like:
   • Sweat
   • Rubber and latex
   • Foods such as mayonnaise, mustard, eggs and onions
   • Wool
   • Lotions, creams and cosmetics
2. Take off your jewelry. Because there are so many substances that can tarnish silver, it is a good idea to take off your jewelry when you go swimming in chlorinated water or do household chores so that the silver does not come into contact with the chemicals.
   • Sunlight can also have an effect, so take off your jewelry when you are going to spend time in the sun.
3. Store the silver in a cool, dark and dry place. Moisture can cause deposits on the silver, so keep your silver in a place that is neither too hot nor too humid. You can also store the silver with camphor, silica gel bags, chalk, or activated charcoal to help absorb some of the moisture.
   • Store silver away from direct and indirect sunlight to prevent sun tarnishing.
4. Wrap the silver. Put the silver jewelry separately in resealable plastic bags. Push as much air out of the bags as possible before closing them. This will prevent the other metals in the sterling silver from oxidizing.

Warnings

• Some people recommend cleaning sterling silver with toothpaste or in the dishwasher, but these methods are not recommended. Toothpaste and detergent can scratch the metal and the heat from the dishwasher can cause the metal to dull.
• You can buy silver polish in the store, but it is better not to use such products. The fumes are dangerous, the solvents in silver polish are bad for the environment and by using silver polish you remove special protective layers, so that deposits on the silver occur more quickly.