Caitlin Bensel
Keeping yoursilver piecesin tip-top shape can be easy when using the proper materials at home.
Because of this, some silver items may need to be cleaned often.
Learning to clean your silver at home will make maintaining your silver items much easier and more convenient.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel
While many silver items at home can be cleaned with baking soda, there are a few that shouldnt.
These pieces could be very valuable and cleaning them may actually lower their value.
These collectibles develop unique discolorations, known as a patina, over long periods of time.
This patina is an extremely desirable trait to some collectors, as it highlights the pieces authenticity and age.
Emily HillandAlex Klaesare the co-founders ofAL&EM Fine and Permanent Jewelrybased in Charleston, South Carolina.
Exposure to sulfur will tarnish your silver quickly, so avoid rubber bands or other rubber products.
Proper storage and treatment will reduce how often you shouldclean your silver.
Step 3: Soak
Soak the silver in the mixture until alltarnish is removed.
It is not corrosive to the silver and can be removed at home.
Silverplate can, however, be permanently tarnished if untreated.
It can be replated if needed.
Other items such as silver dining sets should be cleaned before and after each use and kept tarnish-free.
you’re free to damage silver by cleaning it with strong chemical cleaners, according to Hill.
Do not scrub silver with any abrasive cleaning tool such as a wire brush, steel wool, etc.
These will damage your silver and leave heavy scratches.
Silver-plated items should be cleaned very gently, as strong cleaning agents can remove the silver plating.
