What to do
- Before cleaning or polishing your silver, inspect each object for hallmarks that will tell you if the piece is solid silver or silver-plate.( The numbers 925°°, 900°°, 830°° and 800°° indicate a solid silver object) Most commercial silver polishes indicate their use. Do not use non-specific, all-purpose metal polishes.
- The best way to preserve your silver clean is to regularly clean it ( once or twice a month) with a 100% cotton cloth.
- Be gentle with your silver. Silver is a soft metal and may be easily broken if its bent to an extent.
- If there are hollow sections in (handles, feet), the object should not be immersed in a liquid cleaning solution or water. We don’t advise to use liquid cleaning solutions, but if you do so, make sure that your object is completely dry once you finish. Use a hair blower for maximum results.
- If you want to store your silver, wrap it first in acid free paper and use airtight bugs to prevent corrosion. Keep it in a dry place.
What NOT to do
- Never use chemical dips.
- Toothpaste are for teeth and should never be used as a silver polish.
- Cleaning silver in a dishwasher is not advised. Hot water and dishwasher cleaning solutions may damage your silver.
- Salt is corrosive to silver. Hot water and salt is not a good idea to clean your silver.
- Do not cut food on a solid silver surface. On a plated piece, you will very easily cut through the plating, exposing the base metal.
- If your silver piece has a lacquer finish don’t use any polishing compounds because they will remove the lacquer. Just use a dry 100% cotton cloth.