HOW TO CLEAN SILVER JEWELRY AT HOME
CLEANING METHODS:
WATER + SOAP
Water and dish soap can clean silver because of their chemical composition. Dish soap is made of surfactants, molecules that lower water's surface tension. This allows the dish soap to penetrate grease and grime on your silverware more easily. The water itself also plays a role in breaking down the dirt and grime on your silver. The H2O molecules are attracted to the dirt and grime, and they work to break it down and remove it from the surface of your silver. Combined, these two elements make for a pretty powerful cleaning solution.
Step 1: Fill a small bowl with warm, fresh water and add some all-natural dish soap.
BAKING SODA+SOAPY WATER
STEP 1. Soak the sterling silver pieces in warm water and 1tbspn all-natural dish soap. Add baking soda to the mix if your jewelry is especially dirty.
OLIVE OIL+LEMON JUICE-THE SOAKING METHOD
OLIVE OIL+LEMON JUICE-THE TABBING METHOD
WHITE VINEGAR+BAKING SODA
MISTAKES TO AVOID:
Many think that a product labeled silver polish, cleaner, or dip will do the best job removing tarnish from their sterling jewelry. The truth is harsh chemical products like these can ruin your silver jewelry if you don't know what you're doing!
1. Boiling Water
Some people think boiling water mimics the ultrasonic cleaners used in jewelry stores, but this is false. Ultrasonic cleaners utilize high-frequency sound waves and heat to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places. The heating temperature in an ultrasonic cleaner is controlled and will never reach the boiling point of 212°F.
Boiling water can cause damage to your gemstones, and not only that, the extreme heat will affect the metal. When metal heats up, it may expand and cause loose gemstones to fall from their settings. When a gem is first placed into boiling water and then rinsed with cold water, the stone may experience thermal shock, causing it to fracture or split.
5. Commercial Cleaners
8. Rubbing the Wrong Way
Many think polishing is the key to removing tarnish from silver jewelry. The problem is, if you don't know how to polish correctly, you can actually damage your jewelry. For example, when polishing silver jewelry, use a soft, lint-free cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. Don't rub the jewelry back and forth, as this can wear away the metal.
HOW TO PREVENT SILVER TARNISH:
CONCLUSION
To sum it up, there are a few different ways that you can clean your silver jewelry. However, it's important to note that some methods are better than others. In general, you should avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials when cleaning silver jewelry. Additionally, proper jewelry storage is essential in preventing silver tarnish. By following these tips, you can keep your silver jewelry looking shiny and new. Thanks for reading!