How to polish silver at home

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Saturday, March 13, 2021 6:00 PM

Silver

The silver conductive electrical current chemical elements, are precious metals such as, metals platinum , gold , and features silver white Blunha shiny and flexibility and resistance to rust, resulting in use in drawing different types of decoration and the production of coins since the eras of long, in addition to the jewelry industry precious, [ 1] that is used in decorations, but these pieces may lose their shine over time due to exposure to oxidation, and surrounding air pollution and silver exposure to chemicals that are scattered from body care products such as deodorants, perfumes , and hairspray contribute to extinguishing their shine and luster. [2]


Methods for polishing silver at home

Characterized by silver flexibility large compared with other metals, making them more susceptible to damage, scratching and pigmentation, which requires liveried cautiously to preserve it, and may be so household ways easy without the need for the use Besaig silver by following one of the ways the following: [3]


Tin foil to polish silver

Dull silver can be polished by boiling a liter of water with a tablespoon of baking soda and tin paper, and immersing the silver pieces in the mixture for 10 seconds, while the time can be increased if the silver is very pale, and then the silver piece is removed from the solution with the help of kitchen tongs. If the silver is still dull and matte, it is recommended that you mix a quarter cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water, to make a dense paste, spread over the silver using a damp sponge, then rinse and dry. [4]


Silver pieces that have the corners in them can be polished to get rid of their oxidized surface by soaking them with a solution containing salt and soda carbonate in the following way: [5]

  • Put one part of hot water and tin foil in a glass container.
  • Add one to two tablespoons of salt and baking soda to the water, while some silver pieces may need two teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of salt to be cleaned, as the appropriate amount is determined as needed.
  • Silver pieces are soaked in the resulting solution, with the tin foil under these pieces, for a period of no more than five minutes, depending on the amount of their pigmentation, as soaking silver in this solution for more than necessary may cause the outer layer to be removed.
  • Rinse the silver bars with water, then dry them with a soft towel.


Ketchup to polish silver

Ketchup is useful for removing pigmentation from the surface of silver, by placing a small amount of it on a paper towel, then rubbing the spots gently, while it is recommended to leave ketchup on it for a quarter of an hour in the case of intractable pigmentation, followed by rubbing it with a soft cloth, then rinse it, with The possibility of using a toothbrush to clean silver utensils or silver molds that contain folds and decorations, to get the best result. [4]


Coke to polish silver

Containing coke on the acid removes lentigines silver pieces very effectively, preferably used to polish the silver with a small - sized pieces, where placing the amount of it in a bowl, then soak the silver in it for several minutes, then rinse these pieces with lukewarm water, and dried using a cloth soft gently . [6]


Cream of tartar for silver shine

Cream of tartar is a natural acid that can be used effectively in cleaning and polishing old silver pieces . You can get this cooking cream that is extracted from grape fruits by purchasing it from the spice section in various grocery stores, and using it as follows: [7]

  • Mix one teaspoon of cream of tartar with a cup of water in a small bowl, then soak the silver piece with the resulting solution for five minutes to clean it initially by reducing its pigmentation.
  • Wipe the silver piece dry with a towel after removing it from the solution.
  • Rub the silver piece with a toothbrush, by placing a teaspoon of cream of tartar in a small bowl, then moisten the brush and drench it with cream of tartar and rub the piece with repeating the process as needed.
  • Rub all parts of the silver piece until you get a clean, shiny piece.


Ammonia with lukewarm water to polish silver

Silver accessories and silver kitchen knives can be polished with ammonia, and that is by adding an amount of ammonia with two parts of lukewarm water, then soak the silver pieces in the resulting solution for a period of ten minutes, then take them out and wipe them with a soft towel, provided that they are re-wiped with a dry cotton cloth to polish the outer part of it And it is worth noting to avoid using ammonia in polishing antique silver pieces or precious silver jewelry. [8]


Vinegar to polish silver

Silver can be cleaned and polished with vinegar by following one of the following methods: [9]

  • Soaking silver with vinegar: where silver jewelry is placed in a cup of white vinegar for a quarter of an hour, with all silver pieces completely immersed in it, then washed with warm water and dried using a clean cloth.
  • Soaking silver with vinegar and baking soda: This method can be used in the event that the previous material is not able to clean the silver pieces, as the vinegar and baking soda solution is a stronger solution than vinegar alone, and this is by placing a cup of white vinegar in a non-reactive bowl, then adding four tablespoons From baking soda to soak the silver in this solution for a period of two to three hours, after which the silver is washed with warm water and dried by a clean piece of cloth.
  • A mixture of vinegar, baking soda and tea tree oil: This is done by placing an amount of vinegar in a bowl, then adding a baking soda substance as needed, while one drop of tea tree oil is placed , and the silver materials are soaked in the resulting solution for a minimum of eight hours, then After removing it from the solution, the silver coins are scrubbed with an old toothbrush, rinsed with warm water, and then dried with a cloth.
  • Vinegar and ketchup mixture: Put half a cup of ketchup and half a cup of white vinegar in a deep non-reactive bowl and mix well, where silver is placed in this mixture for a period of five to ten minutes to be removed from the mixture after that, and put some of it on a brush Old silver is rubbed with it, then it is washed in warm water and dried with a clean cloth.
  • Vinegar and toothpaste: Silver pieces can be cleaned and polished by putting a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush, then rubbing the silver gently for a few minutes, and then washing the silver pieces with warm water, then soaking them in a solution of vinegar for five or ten minutes, Before being washed and dried again after taking out the vinegar soak.
  • Aged vinegar: It is one of the solutions that works to clean jewelry, and it is one of the strong compounds so it is necessary to wear gloves and masks when using it, and this type of vinegar can be prepared by placing a cup of distilled water and a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl and then adding half a cup of aged vinegar to them And put the solution on a heat source so that it reaches temperatures slightly below the boiling point, then put the silver materials in the solution and soak until they become clean and shiny, before removing them with tongs and washing them with warm water and drying them.


Other ways to polish silver

Silver can be polished in one of the following simple ways as well: [4]

  • Washing powder: To give silver jewelry a high shine, a tin foil is placed on the floor of a bowl, then fill it with hot water and put a tablespoon of washing powder, then drench the silver with the resulting solution for a minute only, then rinse it with water and leave it to dry.
  • Starch: Starch is used to return the glow to silver by wrapping it with a cloth to stick a paste of cornstarch with water and leaving it to dry, then rubbing it with a clean cotton cloth or soft towel.
  • Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is useful in killing germs, and it can also be used in the process of polishing silver by placing several drops of it on a soft cloth and rubbing the silver well with it.
  • Lemon soda drink : The use of soft drinks is not limited to being used as drinks only, but also to be used to clean silver, where an amount of soft lemon drink is added, then the silver pieces are soaked in the solution for an hour, then rinsed and dried.
  • Glass cleaner: Rub silver coins with a cloth or toothbrush after spraying them with some glass cleaner to restore their shine.
  • Hair conditioner: Rub the silver with an amount of conditioner to make it clean, shiny, and free of stains.
  • Toothpaste: Toothpaste can be used to polish silver by placing an amount of it on a piece of cloth, then rubbing the silver with it, leaving it for five minutes, then washing it with water after that and drying it using a towel, taking care not to use gel toothpaste in this process. [6]
  • Olive oil and lemon juice: put a teaspoon of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice in a glass bowl, then a cloth is dipped in the resulting solution and lifted after the solution is absorbed, then this cloth is used to rub the silver to polish it, and after completing this process the silver is rinsed with water. And dry it with another piece of cloth. [10]
  • Baking soda: Baking soda is one of the most popular materials used in cleaning minerals from dirt, oils and pigments stuck in them, especially in cleaning large silver pieces, by mixing an amount of water with half a bag of baking soda, to form a paste that is placed on a sponge or A damp cloth, then rub the silver pieces, and if the silver pieces are very dirty, it is recommended to leave the dough on it for an additional period before rinsing and drying it. [11]
  • Alcohol: Alcohol can be used to polish silver and remove light stains from it by mixing a quantity of alcohol with four times of water in a bowl, then submerging a cloth with the resulting solution and rubbing the silver, then drying it with another piece of cloth. [12]
  • Banana peels: used bananas in silver polish , especially in jewelry cleaning small size and silver pieces, by placing the amount of water and banana peels in a blender and hit the production of pulp is distributed to silver using a cloth or soft toothbrush, then immersion silver into the water to remove the dough They are attached to them, and dry them with a cloth after completing this process. It should be noted that banana peels cannot be used to polish large silver pieces and are very dirty. [13]


Things to keep in mind when cleaning silver

There are some things that must be taken into account when cleaning silver, and the following are mentioned: [14]

  • Clean silver carefully and carefully, otherwise silver jewelry such as rings may be scratched.
  • Covering the work surface with a cotton towel when polishing silver. If the surface is wooden or made of another porous material, it is recommended to place a plastic piece first, then cover it with a towel.
  • Close the silver polish well and do not use it if it dries, and add a small amount of distilled water if the polish was old before use.
  • Avoid using materials chemical in silver Telmaaa process.
  • Clean the silver pieces first before polishing them for best results.
  • Use a special polish for the type of silver to keep it from damage.
  • Wear gloves when polishing silver items.
  • Hold silver bowls like tea or coffee bowls by their base when polishing their handles.
  • Use silver polishes when silver objects are very dirty.
  • Using cotton pads to polish silver, or those used to apply cosmetics, with the need to change them more than once during the cleaning process.
  • Reach the corners and narrow places in the silver pieces by using an ear-cleaning stick, or a wooden stick covered with a cotton ball.
  • Avoid using the dishwasher in the silver cleaning process, as high temperature and harsh chemical detergents can erase cutting features, making them need to be re-sanded.
  • Polishing the tools used in the kitchen periodically, by washing them with a phosphate-free detergent and lemon, then drying them.
  • Place the silver pieces used in the kitchen in a way that ensures that each of them is used periodically.
  • Wash under-used containers with salt regularly.
  • Support the arms of the silver candlestick while cleaning to prevent them from breaking.
  • Stay away from chopping foods in pots silver, which causes scratches and removes paint that covers silver.
  • Make sure to spray an amount of the polish gel on the silver pieces and leave them for a quarter of an hour, then dry them with a paper towel. To create a drying or mold- proof layer .
  • Check the cleanliness of the silver pieces by wiping them with white paper in a gentle way, to see if there is a need to clean them or not.
  • Use a soft, clean towel when drying silver coins, as using a rough towel can scratch them. [15]


Tips for maintaining silver shine

To maintain the shine of silver, it is recommended to follow the following: [15]

  • The silver is polished and cleaned periodically. [15]
  • Paint the silver pieces with an amount of olive oil when you want to keep them for a long time, in order to prevent them from getting dirty.
  • Wash silver kitchen utensils separately from other utensils, and it is recommended to use a plastic container when cleaning them. Lest the metal basin scratch it.
  • Wrap your silver jewelry and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and other jewelry that may cause scratching.
  • Silver coins are stored away from chemical surfaces, particularly painted wood, which increases the likelihood of staining. [2]
  • Silica bags are kept inside pieces of clothing or shoe boxes, or they can be bought to use it to absorb moisture when placed with silver to keep it from damage. [2]
  • It is recommended to wear white cotton gloves to hold the silver while cleaning it, and if it is not available, a soft cotton cloth can be used as an alternative to gloves, as such a practice works to protect silver from exposure to oils and acids in human skin that may cause silver corrosion if it remains Found on silver and not removed immediately, gloves or even soft fabrics protect the silver from fingerprints that could remain on it if not wiped. [16]
  • Saving silver in cabinets with glass shelves in case you want to store it as antiques inside the house, and avoid placing it on wooden shelves that may emit some harmful fumes from silver. [16]
  • Silver should be wrapped using tissue paper and acid-free tissues, and plastic wrappers that damage the silver and make it pigmented should be avoided. [17]
  • Silver coins are stored in a box that contains charcoal or chalk pieces, in order to preserve them for the longest possible period. [5]
  • It is recommended to avoid silver touching the elements that contain sulfur, which causes them to corrode.Sulfur is present in some foodstuffs such as mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, onions, and industrial materials such as rubber and wool. [5]
  • It is recommended to wear silver jewelry and use silver kitchen utensils frequently to keep them shiny. [5]
  • It is advised to avoid using scratched silver items until after painting them . [14]
  • Silver is stored in flannel bags that absorb sulfur, in addition to it must be stored in a dry place with good ventilation, and the use of silica that absorbs moisture , and it is recommended to wrap silver knives separately to preserve them. [14]


References

  1. "Silver" , www.britannica.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  2. ^ A b v Bridgette Raes (28-2-2018), "How To To Keep is a Silver Sterling Jewelry From S Tarnishing" , Www.liveabout.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  3. "How to Clean Silver" , www.wikihow.com , 28-10-2019, Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  4. ^ A b v Alyssa Essen, "How To To a Silver Polish" , Www.rd.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  5. ^ A b t w the Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D 's (22-9-2019), "How To To the Make a Silver Polishing Dip" , Www.thoughtco.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  6. ^ A b ALISON JONES (8-7-2019), "How To To Clean by silver" , Www.realhomes.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  7. "How to Clean and Polish Silver with Cream of Tartar" , www.wikihow.com , 27-6-2017, Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  8. "11 Wonderful and Easy Tricks to Clean Silver at Home" , thehappyhousecleaning.co.uk , 11 12-2015 , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  9. Joan Clark, "7 Easy-to-Make Recipes for Cleaning Silver with Vinegar" , www.tipsbulletin.com , Retrieved November 27 , 2019 . Edited.
  10. LAURIE BRENNER, "How to Clean Sterling Silver With Lemon Juice" , www.hunker.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  11. Michele Wanke, "Cleaning Silver with Baking Soda" , cleaning.lovetoknow.com , Retrieved November 27 , 2019. Edited.
  12. MELANIE LASOFF LEVS (4-5-2011), "How to clean silver with green ingredients" , www.mnn.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  13. ASHLEY POSKIN (5-6-2019), "How To Polish Silver Using Banana Peels" , www.apartmenttherapy.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  14. ^ A b v "The Care Of a Silver" , Www.hermansilver.com , 27-11-2019, Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  15. ^ A b v "What Products Can I Use When Cleaning Silver?" , www.cleanipedia.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  16. ^ A b Pamela Wiggins (2-10-2019), "How To To Clean a Silver" , Www.thespruce.com , Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.
  17. "How to clean silver" , www.idealhome.co.uk , 11-21-2016, Retrieved 27-11-2019. Edited.