Silver has been used for centuries for its luxurious and ornamental properties. It is used in many items such as jewelry, coins, and even in some industrial products. Silver is a precious metal and is highly sought after for its beauty, but it has one major downside – it tarnishes over time. Tarnishing is the discoloration of silver caused by oxidation, and it can be avoided with a few simple steps.
Avoid Exposure to Air and Moisture
Silver is especially susceptible to oxidation caused by air and moisture. To avoid tarnishing, it is important to keep silver away from the elements. This means storing silver in an airtight container, such as a ziplock bag or a jewelry box. If you are using silver for industrial purposes, it should be stored in a dry place with a relative humidity of less than 65%.
Clean Silver Regularly
Silver should be cleaned regularly to prevent tarnishing. The best way to clean silver is with a silver polish, which can be found at most hardware stores or online. Silver polish is an abrasive cleaner that removes dirt and grime from silver. It should be used with a soft cloth and gently rubbed onto the silver to remove dirt and oxidation. After the silver has been cleaned, it should be rinsed with water and dried with a soft cloth.
Polish Silver Regularly
Polishing silver is also important to keep it from tarnishing. Silver polish is also great for polishing silver and should be applied with a soft cloth. For more detailed polishing, a silver cloth or silver polishing cloth can be used. These cloths are designed to polish silver without scratching or damaging the surface. They are also very easy to use – just rub the cloth over the silver until it shines.
Avoid Chemicals
Silver should also be kept away from harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia. These chemicals can cause silver to tarnish very quickly, so it is important to avoid contact with them. If silver is exposed to these chemicals, it should be cleaned and polished as soon as possible.
Store Silver Separately
Silver should be stored separately from other metals. This is because metals such as copper and brass can cause silver to tarnish faster. It is also important to avoid storing silver in direct sunlight, as this can also cause it to tarnish faster.
Use Silver Cleaning Solutions
There are also special silver cleaning solutions that can be used to keep silver from tarnishing. These solutions are designed to clean and protect silver from oxidation. They should be used sparingly and only when necessary, as they can be very powerful and can cause damage if used too often.
Use Silver Protectors
Silver protectors are special products designed to protect silver from tarnishing. They form a protective coating over the silver that prevents oxidation. Silver protectors should be applied after cleaning and polishing and should be reapplied every few months.
Conclusion
Tarnishing is a common problem with silver, but it can be prevented with a few simple steps. Silver should be kept away from air and moisture, and it should be cleaned and polished regularly. Silver should also be kept away from harsh chemicals and stored separately from other metals. Silver cleaning solutions and protectors can also be used to help keep silver from tarnishing.
