Useful Tips

There are quite enough people who prefer to use their silverware at lunch and more often for a special dinner at home. There are many who would enjoy experiencing romantic moments next to a silver candlestick. Silverware, either of a more traditional ornate aesthetics or of a more modern minimal style , has only loyal admirers.
Silver though, has the tendency to oxidize. Polishing silverware is considered to be a professional’s task and a skilled job. Practically, we only need to follow some simple instructions and our silverware can always appear to be brand new.
If your silverware has already been oxidized, we can recommend that you follow some simple instructions and recipes to polish them and make them look new. The very same instructions apply for the polishing of oxidized silver jewelry.

Maintenance of silver objects.
When it comes to the maintenance of cleaned silverware the best advice is to use them as often as possible. For instance, it is best to use silver knives and forks on a daily basis rather than to keep them closed in their original package. Ornate objects like candlesticks need to be smoothly rubbed from time to time using a simple cotton cloth or best with the special products you can easily spot on super market shelves at the relevant department, specially aimed for this purpose. These products are ideal for protecting silver objects especially if you prefer to store them at a closed space like a cupboard or a showcase in your living room. In this case you can use pieces of cloth soaked with a liquid than bounds atmospheric sulfur in the interior of the furniture. This cloth delays the silver object’s oxidation. You should avoid storing your silverware in plastic bags or cover them with cling film as these products contain sulfur which helps silver oxidation. Use cotton cloths if you must cover or store your silver objects.

Polishing oxidized silverware.
The best solution is to seek the right professional who will restore your object to its original state. You can ask your goldsmith or you can turn to professional workshops specializing in metal plating.
You can alternatively use special liquid products sold around various super markets (one such is Hagerty Silver Dip or Beril). Liquids sold exclusively for this use are quite effective and provide a quick result but can become overly expensive if applied on vast surfaces. Ointments sold particularly for this purpose are cheaper (Silvo) but be aware that it takes longer to achieve the desired result, plus you will need to be more patient.

Polishing silver objects using homemade products.
If you do not wish to use a particular product there are remedies that will work. First of all, toothpaste! Using a damp piece of cloth, pick some amount of toothpaste and rub your oxidized silverware with it. As soon as you have finished rubbing, rinse thoroughly with water. This method provides satisfactory results. If the object you wish to polish has uneven surfaces and is quite ornate, you can use a toothbrush instead of the damp cloth.
Another way to polish silverware is this one. Use a glass or plastic bowl. Cover the bottom and walls of the bowl with aluminum foils and then prepare a solution consisting of 2 cups of water where you will dilute 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon salt. If the object you are about to polish is larger, multiply the quantity of the solution as needed, making sure that the added water is warm. Use coarse-grain salt as iodized table salt is not a first choice. Then immerse the oxidized objects that will inevitably rest at the bottom of the bowl where aluminum foils are laid. After a couple of minutes oxidation disappears.
You can also use and old aluminum baking tray in case you do not want to use a bowl so long as you will rub the surface of the tray for the reaction to take place properly. This method is very effective for polishing silver objects, it can take place at home using products that are common in every household and are totally environment friendly.

Other polishing methods.
Polish your silverware using ashes.
At wintertime when temperature lowers and you enjoy sitting by the fireplace, you must know that ash can be a wonderful polishing substance for your silverware. So rub them with a bit of ash and you will immediately see them shine.
As for your jewelry? For an old piece of jewelry to regain its polish, pour gin in a glass and immerse the jewel inside. Let it soak for about thirty minutes and then rinse well with tepid water.
Cleanse your brass objects.
Cut a lemon in half, add enough salt and rub your objects with it. Then rub them again using a damp piece of cloth.

And never forget…
Silver is one of the finest and most precious metals…