| Tarnish
is a chemical reaction between silver and the sulfur
in the air. Sulfur, which is the byproduct of
combustion, forms a soft black compound called
silver sulfide. Tarnish can be removed easily,
if not allowed to get too heavy, by using a polish
made for silver only.
Most modern
silver polishes contain a tarnish preventative,
which is a wax used to seal the surface from
sulfur. Apply a small amount of polish with a
soft cloth or sponge, using a circular motion until
clean. Rinse in warm water, not hot or soapy,
as these will remove the tarnish preventative.
Dry using a soft cloth. There are metal
polishes that will clean several different metals,
but I do not recommend these, unless the silver is
so black that regular silver polish won't do the
job. The abrasive is fine, but does not
scratch the silver. I feel the abrasive will
remove a small amount of the metal along with the
tarnish.
Several steps
should be taken before silver is placed in storage
for a year or more. First, wash everything in
hot soapy water and clean it with silver
polish. Second, let the items stand for a
couple of days, lids off or open, so that the items
can thoroughly dry. Third, wrap the items in
tissue, soft cloths, or silverware bags to prevent
scratching. Wear gloves to prevent the acids
on the hands from getting on the silver.
Fourth, place an open plastic trash bag inside a
corrugated box and then pack the silver
inside. Fifth, insert a couple of 3M tarnish
preventative strips inside the bag and seal it with
a twist tie (no rubber bands - very high in sulfur),
and close the box. Sixth, list the contents of
the box on the top of the box, it is amazing how
soon we forget. It is a good idea to look
inside every year or so to make sure everything is
OK.
The following are a
few do's and don'ts and hints that will help you
enjoy the beauty of silver.
- The #1 enemy of
silver is salt. It causes the black
pitting found on silver. Never put silver
away without washing it first (even if the items
were not used). Salt will somehow get on
the surface.
- Silver that is
used every day, seldom needs cleaning.
- Never store silver
in plastic wraps, such a Saran wrap.
Plastic bags are fine.
- Do not clean
silver in an aluminum pan with dishwasher
detergent. This will remove the tarnish
even in the pattern, and with continued use will
leave the silver a dull white color. This
does no polishing.
- Do not clean
silver with commercial dip cleaners.
Continued use will also leave the item dull.
- Try to keep silver
out of the direct blast of air from a furnace or
air conditioner. The movement of air will
cause the tarnish to form quicker.
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