Silver.Ag: Four Simple Solutions To Cleaning Silver Chains
Saturday, February 5th, 2011Silver is a favorite among jewelers and wearers alike. The color is appealing and it is affordable while still being very attractive. The only problem is that it does tend to tarnish and there is no way to stop that. Silver sulfate is the term professionals use when tarnish happens, it is because the silver oxidizes when it has a chemical reaction to the atmosphere. Wearing it every day is one solution, but impractical when you have more than one piece. Here are four popular ways people are choosing to clean their silver chains.
Polishing cloths are what jewelers recommend to keep the silver looking new. Some companies today produce these with a polishing agent and tarnish inhibitor worked into the fabric. These are soft and are perfect for buffing the chain, removing tarnish and dull areas. [I:http://www.webmarksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IgorPauer17.jpg]
If the tarnish is not coming off with a soft cloth, it may be time to purchase a silver cleaning polish. In general, this is actually a liquid and you just put the chain or whatever right into the solution and let it sit. When it is ready to come out of the solution all you need to do is rinse it off, dry it, and then buff it to bring the shine back.
Home cleaning remedies have been around for centuries so it is no wonder that people turn to everyday household products to clean their silver. The toothpaste method is well known for cleaning silver, although jewelers are not found of it because they are afraid the cleaning may scratch the silver. Basically, you take white toothpaste, not the gel type because that won’t work, and rub it into the chain. Then you take a soft bristled toothbrush and gently clean the chain. When you are satisfied with the work you just rinse with lukewarm water and dry. You can pull out that soft cloth and buff it up afterwards.
The aluminum foil and baking soda method is a very popular home cleaning method. Line a shallow pie pan with aluminum foil and pour boiling water in till halfway full. Add two tablespoons of salt and baking soda and stir so it dissolves completely. Place your chain in the pan, make sure it is flat and in contact with the foil. [I:http://www.webmarksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IgorPauer26.jpg]
The salt, baking soda, and aluminum will react and this acts as a magnet to remove the tarnish. Let it soak for about five to ten minutes and then gently clean the stubborn black spots with a soft cloth or if you choose a soft bristled toothbrush. You can then rinse, dry, and buff or place it in a bowl of clean water with soap for a few minutes before rinsing.
Nothing you do can stop the tarnish from eventually appearing, unless you wear it constantly, but that can be hard. Keeping your hands clean when handling it does help prolong tarnish from appearing. Next time you notice a favorite necklace is badly tarnished, don’t throw it away, try one of these four methods above to clean your silver chain to make them look new again.
Author is expert in silver jewelry, working nearly two decades in silver jewelry business. The production company (Silver.Ag), he works for, physically stock about 114.000 pcs of jewlery to be able to dispatch satisfied customers orders within 24 hours. The company has over 500.000 satisfied customers worldwide.
