How To Clean Silver Cutlery?

Silver is a noble metal, highly resistant to corrosion, but it can be tarnished by sulphides that are always present to some extent in the atmosphere and in many foods, green vegetables and eggs being the most potent. Tarnish consists of a superficial film of silver sulphides. Initially it is a light gold colour, but, with prolonged exposure to sulphides, it can develop into a blue-black discolouration.

Sulphides in the atmosphere originate mainly from combustion of gas oil, coke, wood etc. and from living creatures. To avoid the need for frequent cleaning, it is best to store silver cutlery in a box or drawer in a room without a fire of any type and, if convenient, in one of the lesser used rooms. To avoid tarnishing by food, rinse it off the cutlery as soon as convenient. Tarnish resisting papers and cloths are available to store silver, which certainly reduce the rate of tarnishing. If you have true silverware, though, here are some tips for cleaning.

What you will need for cleaning?

The method you employ for cleaning silver will depend on the item that you are dealing with.

– Aluminium pan or stainless steel pan and aluminium foil;
– Bicarbonate soda;
– 4 cups of very hot water;
– Extra water;
– White vinegar;
– Rubber gloves;
– Wooden spoon;
– Draining board;
– Polishing cloth

To take the tarnish off engraved sterling silver cutlery, use a soft cloth and bi-carb paste. To clean non-oxidised pieces, line the base of a saucepan with aluminium foil, add cold water, a teaspoon each of bi-carb and salt, and bring to the boil. Submerge cutlery and leave for three to five minutes. Remove, allow to cool then rinse, dry and polish with soft cloth.

Some plain silver can be put in the dishwasher, but seperate it from stainless steel, use non-abrasive powder, a gentle setting and dry straight away to prevent water spots.