Cleaning Silver - Tips, Techniques, Secrets, How To's
Silver is a soft metal and scratches very easily. Methods of cleaning silver are determined by the value placed on it. For some the value is monetary and for others the value is sentimental.
Here are a few interesting facts about silver:
- Silver tarnishes when exposed to air. It is unavoidable in any climate, but occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather.
- Rubber severely affects silver, and it can become so deeply etched that only a Silversmith can repair the damage. Polishing silver while wearing rubber gloves promotes tarnish. Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves.
- Table salt, olives, salad dressings, eggs, vinegar and fruit juices negatively affect silver. Serve these foods in china or glass containers.
- Flowers and fruit when placed in silver containers can cause serious damage. The acid produced as the flowers and fruit decay can etch the containers causing damage. When using silver containers, use plastic or glass liners.
- Sterling silver requires special care. Do not place silverware into the dishwasher! To support your silverware to stay bright and shiny, hand wash sterling with mild detergent and dry with terry cloth towel.
- Silver that is not in daily use should be stored as airtight as possible and wrapped in acid-free tissue to minimize tarnishing.






