Silver objects such as cutlery, jewelry or decorative items take on a black coating after a while, making the objects matt. Have you ever wondered why this is the case and how you can get rid of the coating? We'll explain in this article.
Why does silver tarnish?
Silver is a precious metal and is not ideal as a material for cutlery and jewelry because it is too soft. This is why the material for jewelry and cutlery is alloyed with other metals. Copper is often used here. This makes the silver harder and can be processed into cutlery and jewelry. This alloy retains its shine. Silver reacts with sulfur compounds that are present in our air. Oxidation causes silver sulfide to form on the surface and this discolors. Eggs and pea soup, for example, contain sulfur compounds, so oxidation also occurs here.
Home remedies for removing deposits
There are many different home remedies that you probably have at home to make your jewelry shine again. You probably already know the first tip and you definitely have both of these things at home. Aluminum foil and salt make silver shine again . To do this you need water that has a minimum temperature of 60°C. Then mix the water with salt, about 5 tablespoons per liter of water. Now put the silver with the aluminum foil in the mixture. The salt creates tension between the silver and the aluminum foil. This causes the silver sulfide to detach from the surface and the silver to shine.
Baking powder, toothpaste and baking soda for cleaning silver
A paste made from baking powder and water can also be used to clean silver. The silver can then be worked on with a fine brush and rinsed with water. After drying, the silver should be noticeably brighter. With this method, it must be noted that it contains small particles that can scratch the silver. Toothpaste can also be used, as you probably have this at home. Apply the toothpaste and leave it to work for around 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully brush it off and wash it off. This method works best if the silver has been bathed in a salt bath with aluminum foil beforehand. In addition to these household remedies, a mixture of salt and baking soda can also be used. Baking soda has a binding and pearling property, making it ideal for cleaning silver. Baking soda can be used as an additive to aluminum foil and salt to achieve an even better cleaning effect. The silver can also be soaked in a vinegar-water mixture for around two hours. This will loosen dirt and make the silver shine again. Citric acid can also help . To do this, place the silver in a bowl and squeeze a lemon evenly over it. Now leave it to work for a few minutes.
Silver cleaning products or ultrasonic devices against tarnished silver
In addition to the household remedies mentioned, you can also use special silver cleaning products . These are available as a paste, foam or immersion bath. You should make sure to wear gloves and ensure there is enough fresh air. An ultrasound device can also be used. This uses sound waves to remove foreign materials . Make sure you use the right cleaning concentrate, because not every concentrate is suitable for silver. Dishwashing detergent is often enough as a cleaning additive.
How can silver be prevented from tarnishing?
There are various ways to prevent silver from tarnishing. Firstly, the silver should be stored as airtight as possible so that the silver does not come into contact with sulphur compounds in the air. Wrapping it in cotton cloths can already have a preventative effect. Furthermore, chalk also prevents silver from tarnishing because it absorbs the moisture and thus also the sulphur compounds from the air. Cutlery boxes and jewellery boxes are also suitable. They are usually lined with sulphur-free velvet. Last but not least , silver cutlery should not be put in the dishwasher .
With these tips and tricks, tarnished silver will shine again and to avoid tarnishing, simply follow the storage tips at the end.
