Brilliant, elegant, and majestic are some of the terms with which we can relate to silver. Unlike many metals, it does not oxidize and has natural properties that give it a durable and resistant luster. However, little or no cleaning, the passage of time, misuse, or not using it wreak havoc and cause it to stain, lose luster and blacken due to hydrogen sulfide in the air.
Suppose your silver jewelry or utensils have become worn and tarnished. In that case, you should know that there are affordable alternatives with which you can polish and buff to restore them to their original appearance; one of them: is toothpaste. This article shows you how to clean silver with toothpaste easily, in minutes, AND without spending money!
How to clean your silver jewelry in a jiffy to make it sparkle like never before
There are many chemical products for cleaning silver, and you can find them in liquid, creamy, and even as cleaning wipes, but it is no secret that their price is high, and they are not available in any supermarket. Now,why spend money if we can resort to equally effective homemade tricks?
Toothpaste contains fluoride among its components, which helps fortify tooth enamel and makes it resistant to acid attacks responsible for tooth decay. But its effectiveness does not stop there. It is also a powerful cleaner of stains and dirt on metals, capable of dissipating marks and polishing. However, you should keep in mind that if it is sterling or polished silver, the treatment should be more delicate because, compared to matte or satin silver, it is more prone to scratch easily.
How long does it take for silver to oxidize?
Silver cannot oxidize because it does not react with oxygen in the air, but with sulfur. What this sulfur does is to “tarnish” the silver, first giving it a yellowish appearance and then, over time, it turns black. Yes, it is normal for silver to turn black in a few days, since it is an oxidizing material, but it will never be ruined, you just need to clean it.
Steps to clean silver and make it shiny
So, first, do not use gel toothpaste, colored toothpaste, or toothpaste with additional whitening agents, mint particles, mint, yerba mate, or baking soda, as you may accidentally scratch the silver. It is best to use traditional white toothpaste.
- Wash with soap and water to remove perfume, dust and sweat. Use a liquid soap with a neutral pH, rub it gently with your fingers, rinse it with warm water and dry it very well to start polishing.
- Moisten a cloth or a piece of cotton with water, add a little toothpaste, and spread it over the piece until the entire surface is covered. Rub gently with the same damp cloth, toothbrush, or sponge, and use a cotton swab in the nooks and crannies. If it is dyed black, well done! You’re getting the dark stuff out, so add more toothpaste and scrubbing.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes (or more, depending on how much it needs to be polished) so that stubborn stains come out.
- After this time, rinse with warm water and remove all the toothpaste and dirt with a cloth or sponge, paying attention if it has recovered its shine or not. If it has not worked as expected, repeat the process and let it act for longer.
- Dry the jewelry, utensils or silver object with light touches. Make sure it is completely dry before storing.
Protect your parts from rust by storing them in airtight bags after cleaning. Remember that factors include a humid environment, the acidity of the skin pH, and contact with chemicals such as perfumes are the main causes of blackening of silver; therefore, in addition to regular cleaning, to keep the metal from losing its luster avoid storing in places with excessive humidity Do not wear silver jewelry while exercising, swimming or cleaning and do not apply creams, oils, and colognes directly on it. It will remain intact for years to come!
Clean silver or costume jewelry with water and dish soap (detergent).
You can also use vinegar or baking soda if you need a stronger cleaning solution, but another of the best ways to clean silver is with dish soap and water because dish soap is mild and will not scratch the surface of the silver.
Rinse the silver thoroughly after cleaning to avoid water spots.
You can also use a hair dryer on the cool setting to dry the silver faster; it is important to rinse the silver well after cleaning to avoid water spots. You can also use a hair dryer in a cool setting to dry it faster.
Why sterling silver can turn black and how to prevent it
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and other metals, typically copper. It is important to note that sterling silver is not pure silver , so it is less expensive than other precious metals such as gold sterling silver has a shiny finish when new, but it can begin to turn black over time.
There are a few reasons why this happens. First, sterling silver is prone to oxidation, which means that it reacts with oxygen in the air to form a black film on the surface of the metal; this process is accelerated by the exposure to sunlight, moisture, and air pollutants. Secondly, lSterling silver can also be tarnished by chemicals, such as those found in lotions or perfumes, which react with the metal and cause it to turn black.
What are the characteristics of sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a silver alloy containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum thousandth fineness of 925.
Sterling silver is the second most popular metal used to make jewelry, after gold. It is widely used in flatware, serving utensils, and tableware in the U.S.[1] Sterling silver (also called fine silver) is harder than pure silver but softer than other metals such as steel or platinum. This makes it easy to work with when crafting jewelry or other decorative items.[2] It is also known as sterling silver.
The word “sterling” is derived from the Old English style “steorling,” meaning “little star.”[3] The term “sterling” is derived from the Old English style “steorling,” meaning “little star.”[3 The word “silver” comes from the Anglo-Saxon seolfor (meaning “silver” or literally “(metal) white”),[4][5] which in turn originates from the Proto-Germanic *silubr̥,[6] which may be cognate with Sanskrit सिल्ब्री silabhri (“white drop/dew”). [cita requerida] Silver has been used for centuries as currency, jewelry, and investment.