The best cleaning to keep your silver jewelry shiny thanks to toothpaste and these products.
Brilliant, elegant and majestic are some of the terms with which we can relate to silver. Unlike many metals, does not rust and has natural properties that give it a long-lasting and resistant shine . However, little or no cleaning the passage of time, misuse or non-use, wreak havoc and cause it to stain, lose shine and blacken due to hydrogen sulfide in the air.
Suppose your silver jewelry or utensils They have become worn and tarnished. In that case, you should know that there are affordable alternatives with which you can polish and polish them to return them to their original appearance; one of them: is the 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 so it shines like never before
There are many chemicals to clean silver, and you can find them in liquid, creamy form and even as cleansing wipes, but it is no secret that their price is high, and they are not found in any supermarket. Now, why spend money if we can resort to equally effective home tricks ?
Toothpaste contains fluorine among its components, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes it resistant to attacks by the acids 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 must be more delicate since, compared to matte or satin silver, it is more prone to scratching easily.
How long does it take for silver to oxidize?
Silver cannot be oxidized because it does not react with oxygen in the air, but rather with sulfur. What this sulfur does is “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 after a few days, since it is an oxidizing material, but it will never go bad, you just have to clean it.
Steps to clean silver and leave it shiny
So, first, do not use gel toothpaste, tinted toothpaste, or toothpaste with additional whitening agents, mint particles, spearmint, 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.
- Dampen a cloth or piece of cotton with water, add a little toothpaste and spread it on the piece until the entire surface is covered. Scrub gently with the same damp cloth, toothbrush, or sponge, and use a cotton swab in nooks and crannies. If it's dyed black, well done! You're getting the dark stuff out, so add more toothpaste and scrub.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes (or more, depending on how much polishing is needed) to remove stubborn stains.
- After this time, rinse with warm water and remove all the toothpaste and dirt with a cloth or sponge, paying attention to whether it has regained its shine or not. If it hasn't worked as expected, repeat the process and let it sit for longer.
- Dry jewelry, utensils or silver objects with light touches . Make sure it is completely dry before storing it.
Protect your parts from rust storing them in airtight bags after cleaning. Remember that factors include a humid environment, the acidity of the skin's pH and contact with products chemicals such as perfumes are the main causes of blackening of silver; Therefore, in addition to regular cleaning, to prevent the metal from losing its shine, avoid storing it in places with excess humidity . Do not wear silver jewelry while exercising, swimming, or cleaning, and do not apply creams, oils, and colognes directly to it. It will remain intact for years to come!
Clean silver or 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 gentle and will not scratch the surface of the silver.
Rinse the silver well 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 your silver thoroughly after cleaning to avoid water stains. You can also use a hair dryer on 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 it is not pure silver making it less expensive than other precious metals such as gold. Sterling silver has a shiny finish when new, but can begin to blacken over time.
There are a few reasons why this happens. First, sterling silver is prone to oxidation, meaning it reacts with oxygen in the air to form a black film on the surface of the metal; This process is accelerated by exposure to sunlight, humidity, and air pollutants. In second place, Sterling silver can also be tarnished by chemicals, like those found in lotions or perfumes, which react with metal and cause it to turn black.
What are the characteristics of sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a silver alloy that contains a 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper . The sterling silver standard has a minimum fineness of thousandths of 925.