How to polish silver at home

jj February 27, 2020


Contents

  • 1 silver
  • 2 ways to polish silver at home
    • 2.1 tin foil for polishing silver
    • 2.2 Ketchup to polish silver
    • 2.3 Coke to polish silver
    • 2.4 Silver Tartar Cream Polishing
    • 2.5 Ammonia with lukewarm water to polish silver
    • 2.6 Vinegar to polish silver
    • 2.7 Other Ways of Polishing Silver
  • 3 things to consider when cleaning silver
  • 4 tips to maintain the silver sheen
  • 5 References

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] used in the decorations, but these pieces may lose their brightness over time due to exposure to oxidants, also contributes to ambient air pollution and silver exposure to chemicals that are scattered from body care products such as deodorants, perfumes , and installed Hair in extinguishing brightness and luster. [2]

Silver polishing methods at home

Silver is characterized by its great flexibility compared to other minerals, which makes it more vulnerable to damage, scratching and pigmentation, which must be polished with care to preserve it, and this may be done in easy household ways without the need to use the silver jeweler by following one of the following methods : [3]


Silver foil polishing paper

Pale silver can be polished by boiling a liter of water with a tablespoon of baking soda and tin foil, and immersing the silver pieces in the mixture for 10 seconds, while the time period can be increased if the silver is too dull, then the silver piece is removed from the solution with the use of a kitchen tongue, either in If the silver is still dull or matte, it is recommended to mix a quarter cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water, to make a thick paste distributed over the silver using a damp sponge, then rinse and dry. [4]

It is possible to polish the silver pieces that have the corners in them to get rid of their oxidizing surface by soaking them with a solution containing salt and soda carbonate in the following way: [5]
  • Place a portion of hot water with a foil in a glass bowl.
  • One tablespoon of two tablespoons of salt and baking soda are added to the water, while some silver pieces may need two teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of salt to clean them, as the appropriate amount is determined as needed.
  • Silver pieces are soaked in the resulting solution, provided that the tin leaf is under these pieces, for a period not exceeding five minutes, depending on the amount of pigmentation, where soaking silver in this solution for too long may cause the outer layer to be removed from it.
  • Silver pieces are rinsed with water, then dried with a soft towel.

Ketchup to polish silver

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

Coke to polish silver

Coke contains an acid that removes the pigments of silver pieces very effectively, and it is preferred to use it to polish silver pieces of a small size, as this is by placing an amount of it in a bowl, then soak silver in it for only a few minutes, then rinse these pieces with lukewarm water, and dry them using a soft cloth gently . [6]

Tartar cream to polish silver

Tartar cream is considered one of the natural acids that can be used effectively to clean and polish old silver pieces . This cooking cream, which is extracted from grape fruit, can be obtained by purchasing it from the spice section of different grocery stores, and using it as follows: [7]
  • Mix a teaspoon of cream of tartar with a glass of water in a small bowl, then soak the silver piece in the resulting solution for five minutes to clean it up initially by reducing its pigmentation.
  • The silver piece is wiped with a dry towel after removing it from the solution.
  • Rub the silver piece with a toothbrush, by placing a teaspoon of tartar cream in a small bowl, then moisturizing the brush and submerging it with tartar cream and rubbing the piece with repeat the process as needed.
  • All parts of the silver piece are rubbed until a clean, shiny finish is obtained.

Ammonia with lukewarm water to polish silver

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

Vinegar to polish silver

Silver can be cleaned and polished with vinegar in one of the following ways: [9]
  • Soak silver with vinegar: where silver jewelry is placed in a cup of white vinegar for a quarter of an hour provided that all silver pieces are completely immersed in it, then wash them with warm water and dry them with a clean piece of cloth.
  • Soaking the silver with vinegar and baking soda: This method can be used in the event that the previous article is unable to clean the silver pieces, as the solution of vinegar and baking soda is a stronger solution than vinegar alone, and that is by placing a cup of white vinegar in an inactive container, and then adding four spoons From baking soda to it, soak the silver in this solution for 2-3 hours, after which the silver is washed with warm water and dried with a clean piece of fabric.
  • Mix vinegar, baking soda and tea tree oil: This is done by placing a portion of vinegar in a bowl, then adding the baking soda material as needed, while placing a single drop of tea tree oil , and the silver materials are soaked in the resulting solution for a minimum of eight hours, then Silver pieces are rubbed with an old toothbrush after taking them out of the solution, rinse with warm water and then dried with a cloth.
  • Mix vinegar and ketchup: Put half a cup of ketchup and half a cup of white vinegar in a deep, non-reactive bowl and mix well. Silver is placed in this mixture for five to ten minutes, then it is removed from the mixture after that, and put some of it on a brush An ancient silver is rubbed with it, then washed with warm water and dried with a clean cloth.
  • Vinegar and toothpaste: Silver pieces can be cleaned and polished by placing a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush and then rubbing silver gently with it for a few minutes, after which the silver pieces are washed with warm water, then soak them in a solution of vinegar for five or ten minutes, Before being washed and dried again after taking it out of soaked vinegar.
  • Disturbed vinegar: It is one of the solutions that clean jewelry. It is a strong compound so gloves and masks should be worn when using it. This type of vinegar can be prepared by putting a cup of distilled water and a teaspoon of salt in a large container and then adding half a cup of aged vinegar to them , And put the solution on a heat source so that it reaches temperatures just below the boiling point, then put the silver materials in the solution and soak them until they become clean and shiny, before removing them with tongs and washed with warm water and dried.

Other ways to polish silver

Silver can be polished in one of the following simple ways as well: [4]
  • Washing powder: To add an extra shine to the silver jewelry, put a tin sheet on the floor of a bowl, then fill it with hot water and put a tablespoon of washing powder, then immerse the silver in the resulting solution for a minute, then rinse it with water and let it dry.
  • Starch: Starch is used to return the glow to the silver by wrapping it with a cloth with which a paste of cornstarch is attached to it with water and left to dry, then rub it with a clean cotton cloth or a soft towel.
  • Sterile hands: According to a sterile hands to kill germs, can also be used in the process of polishing silver by placing several drops of it on a soft cloth and rub the silver out well.
  • Lemon soda soft drink : Soda is not only used as a beverage, it also goes beyond it to be used in cleaning silver as well. Lemon soda is placed in a drink and then the silver pieces are soaked in solution for an hour, then rinsed and dried.
  • Glass Cleaner: Rub the silver pieces using a cloth or toothbrush after spraying by the cleaner glass to restore luster.
  • Hair conditioner: Silver is rubbed with a portion of hair conditioner, to make it clean, shiny and free of pigmentation.
  • Toothpaste: You can take advantage of toothpaste to polish silver by placing a portion of it on a cloth and then rubbing the silver with it, leaving it for five minutes, then washing it with water afterwards and drying it with a towel, taking care not to use the 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 dip a cloth in the resulting solution and remove after absorbing the solution, then use this cloth to rub the silver to polish it, and after completing this process, rinse the silver with water, Dry it with another cloth. [10]
  • Baking soda: Baking soda is one of the most popular materials used to clean minerals from dirt, oils and stains stuck in them, especially in cleaning large pieces of silver, by mixing an amount of water with half a bag of baking soda, to form a paste that is placed on a sponge or Damp cloth, then rub the silver pieces. In the event that the silver pieces are very dirty, it is recommended to leave the dough on them for an additional period before rinsing and drying them. [11]
  • Alcohol: Alcohol can be used to polish silver and remove light pigments from it by mixing an amount of alcohol with four times the amount of water in a container, then dousing a cloth with the resulting solution and rubbing the silver, then drying it with another 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 Sticking to it, and drying it with a cloth after completing this process. It should be noted that banana peels cannot be used to polish large, very dirty silver pieces. [13]

Things to consider when cleaning silver

There are some things to consider when cleaning silver, and the following are mentioned: [14]
  • Carefully and carefully clean silver, so as not to scratch silver jewelry, such as rings.
  • Covering the work surface with a cotton towel when polishing silver, but if the surface is woody or made of other porous material, it is recommended to put a piece of plastic first and then cover it with a towel.
  • Close silver polished well and not be used if dried, if polished old before use and add a small amount of distilled water.
  • Avoid using materials chemical in silver Telmaaa process.
  • Clean the silver pieces first before polishing them for the best results.
  • Use a special polisher for the silver type to protect it from damage.
  • Wear gloves when silvering.
  • Hold silver bowls, such as tea or coffee, from their base when polishing their handles.
  • Use silver polishes when the silver pieces are very dirty.
  • Use cotton swabs to polish silver, or those used in applying cosmetics, with the need to change them more than once during the cleaning process.
  • Reaching the corners and narrow places in the silver pieces using an ear stick, or a wooden stick covered with a piece of cotton.
  • Avoid using the dishwasher in the process of cleaning the silver, as high temperatures and intense chemical detergents can wipe the cutting contours, making them need to be re-polished.
  • Polishing the tools used in the kitchen periodically, by washing them using a phosphate-free lemon detergent, and then drying them.
  • Putting the silver pieces used in the kitchen in a way that guarantees the use of each of them periodically.
  • Regularly wash bowls with salt.
  • Support the silver candlestick arms while cleaning to prevent them from being broken.
  • Avoid cutting food in silver utensils , as this causes scratches and removes the coating that covers silver.
  • Make sure to spray some of the polishing gel onto the silver pieces, leave them for a quarter of an hour, and then dry them with a paper towel to create a layer that prevents drought or mold .
  • Check the cleanliness of the silver pieces by wiping them with a white paper in a gentle way, to see if there is any reason to clean them.
  • Use a soft, clean towel when drying the silver pieces, as the use of a rough towel can scratch them. [15]

Tips to keep silver glitter

To maintain the silver sheen, the following is recommended: [15]
  • Shine silver and periodically clean. [15]
  • Silver pieces of olive oil should be painted when desired to keep them for a long time, in order to prevent them from getting dirty.
  • Silver kitchen utensils are washed separately from other utensils, and it is recommended to use a plastic container when cleaning them, so as not to scratch the metal sink.
  • Silver jewelery is wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place and out of sunlight and other jewelry that may scratch it.
  • Silver coins are stored away from chemical surfaces, especially painted wood, which increases the possibility of pigmentation. [2]
  • Silica bags that are contained in clothing or shoe boxes or that can be purchased for use in absorbing moisture when stored with silver are kept to prevent damage. [2]
  • It is recommended to wear white cotton gloves to hold silver while cleaning it, and in the absence of it, a soft cotton cloth can be used as an alternative to gloves, as this practice works to protect silver from exposure to oils and acids present in human skin, which may cause silver corrosion if it remains. Present on silver and not immediately removed, gloves or even soft fabrics protect silver from fingerprints that can remain present on them if they are not erased. [16]
  • Keeping silver in cupboards with glass shelves in case you want to keep it as antiques inside the house, and avoid placing it on wooden shelves from which some harmful fumes may rise from silver. [16]
  • Cover silver with tissue and acid-free tissue, and avoid using plastic wraps that damage the silver and make it pigmented. [17]
  • Silver coins are stored in a box containing some amount of charcoal or chalk pieces, in order to preserve them for as long as possible. [5]
  • It is recommended that silver be avoided for elements that contain sulfur that causes its corrosion. Sulfur is found in some nutrients 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 kitchenware constantly to keep it shiny. [5]
  • It is recommended to avoid the use of scratched silver coins unless they are painted . [14]
  • Silver is stored with sulfur-absorbing flannel bags, in addition to storing it in a dry, well-ventilated place, and using silica that absorbs moisture . Silver knives are recommended to be individually wrapped to preserve. [14]