Spring Cleaning
Spring has definitely sprung and the lighter days and splashes of colour in the garden have given my energy levels a much needed boost. As well as tidying and cleaning my home and workshop, I’ve been reminded that I often get asked about the best ways to clean your silver jewellery.
So, as it is the season of spring cleaning, what better time to give your silver jewellery a clean than now?
Here’s a few tips to set you up to truly sparkle in the sunshine days ahead!
What is tarnish?
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms on metals and appears as a dull grey or black coating. It is actually silver sulphide and it forms as the silver reacts with sulphur gases in the atmosphere.
Thankfully it isn’t permanent and even the blackest tarnished silver can come back to be shiny and clean with a little bit of cleaning. The two most popular methods for cleaning are to use a silver dip or polishing cloth.
Examples of tarnished jewellery
What is Silver Dip?
Silver Dip is a liquid formulation that removes built up tarnish and polishes the silver.
Generally, most include some form of acid but it is easier to source acid-free products nowadays.
Silver Dips made at home using natural ingredients can also be very effective.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Because Silver Dip is a liquid, it is excellent for removing tarnish from crevices that are difficult to reach with a cloth or soft brush. It is also fast acting and can often remove lighter tarnish in less than a minute with little or no need of additional scrubbing or brushing.
As Silver Dip is chemical based, it must be disposed of correctly and the best way is to take it to your Household Waste and Recycling Centre. It can also be mildly irritating to the skin and so I would always recommend wearing gloves when using Silver Dip and/or wash hands thoroughly after use.
Silver Dip can sometimes continue to corrode or etch the surface of the silver if it hasn’t been rinsed sufficiently so always rinse jewelry according to the instructions on your product after dipping it.
Some precious stones including opals, pearls and turquoise (plus many softer and porous stones) are unsuitable for dipping as the acid can affect the colour or even corrode the stones causing permanent damage. Always seek professional advice if you are unsure and never risk it.
What are Silver Polishing Cloths?
Usually made of cotton, Silver Cloths have been impregnated with an anti-tarnish and anti-corrosion formula that cleans and protects silver.
Wiped and rubbed over the surface of the silver, they clean away the top surface of built up tarnish.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The cleaning chemicals that impregnate Silver Cloths are generally less harsh than those of Silver Dips and are therefore considered a more gentle way to clean silver.
Soft and non abrasive, they have to be wiped and rubbed over the surface of the silver giving the user total control of the areas to be cleaned.
It’s quite safe to clean jewellery with delicate precious stones with a silver cloth because you can also avoid those areas or shield them with your finger.
The main disadvantage of cleaning with a cloth is that it’s hard to remove tarnish from crevices that are difficult to reach and it can also be quite messy. I would again recommend wearing gloves and laying down some paper to protect your worktop.
Coca-Cola & Toothpaste?
Warning: Proceed with caution!
Lots of people have told me that they’ve used toothpaste or coca cola to clean their silver jewellery quite effectively. I haven’t tried either, but would be very cautious of how the acid and abrasive ingredients could potentially damage your jewellery and precious stones.
Tried and Tested
This home made solution is actually a very effective way to clean silver - used originally for cleaning silver cutlery in bulk, I found it in an old 1940s housekeeping pamphlet and can vouch for having tried it on silver jewellery. Do remember however, not to risk your precious stones and NEVER use with pearls, opals, coral, turquoise or lapis.
You will need a piece of Aluminium foil, a handful of soda crystals,( sodium carbonate ) hot water and a glass heat resistant bowl.
Put the foil in the bowl and the Soda crystals onto it. Place the jewellery you want cleaned onto the crystals and poor hot water into the bowl. The solution will fizz and in a few minutes the silver will be whitened. Rinse in clean cold water and dry.
The great thing about this solution is that it can safely be washed away with clean water down the sink.
My recommendation
Lastly, to try and hold back the build up of tarnish, I’d advise following my Care of Jewellery guidelines, my favourite one being to ‘enjoy wearing your jewellery’.
I hope this has been interesting and helpful to you. I am always keen to hear what you think so, please get in touch if you’d like more information or to ask any questions.
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