Important things to know about sterling silver
Many people are reluctant to clean their sterling silver jewelry for fear of accidentally ruining it. However, the reality is that silver is a much more forgiving metal than you might think at first glance.
Here are some important facts about sterling silver that you should keep in mind if you decide to clean up your own money:
Sterling silver is an alloy
Sterling silver is an alloy, which means it is not 100% silver, but rather made up of two or more metals. The majority of sterling silver is 92.5% real silver. The remaining 7.5% can be made up of several different metals.
It varies in value
Although sterling silver is not 100% silver, its high silver content means that its value fluctuates with the value of the metal. As you can imagine, pure silver has a higher value than sterling silver.
It is stronger than pure silver
Sterling silver is stronger than pure silver because it is an alloy. The added metals that are present in sterling silver increase its strength.
Pure silver is a relatively soft metal, which means it is susceptible to scratches, bumps, and twists. Keep in mind that sterling silver is stronger than pure silver, which allows it to withstand more stress.
It is relatively hypoallergenic
Although sterling silver is not pure silver and is mixed with other types of metals, the most common type of metal it is mixed with is copper. The mixture of copper and silver is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, unlike their nickel and brass counterparts.
It is therefore one of the safest types of jewelry to wear since its components are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
How to keep your money from tarnishing
While it’s impossible to avoid it completely, there are things you can do to keep your money from going bad quickly. The following tips will help you delay the overall tarnishing process and ensure that your jewelry is in the best condition for as long as possible.
Clean your jewelry after wearing it
After wearing your silver jewelry, you can use lukewarm water and a cloth to wipe it down before putting it away. This is a quick and easy step that can be incorporated into your daily routine to help slow down the dulling process as much as possible.
Remove your rings before cooking
It is a good habit to take off your rings when cooking or washing the dishes, as it maintains the longevity of your jewelry. Cooking oils and other ingredients can speed up the tarnishing process if they come in contact with your silver jewelry.
Store your jewelry in the right place
Be aware of how you choose to store your sterling silver. The main thing to avoid is humidity, as it exponentially speeds up the tarnishing process. Be sure to keep your silver jewelry in a jewelry box or enclosed space that is not too hot.
How to clean silver jewelry
The professional jewelers clean your tarnished silver jewelry using a cloth and a cleaning solution. It is a formula created specifically for silver jewelry. The clothes are 100% cotton and contain some form of anti-tarnish oil. They also use a solution in which the jewelry can be submerged.
Best Methods to Clean Your Silver Jewelry Yourself
Although professionals do this in a very specific way, there are different ways to clean silver jewelry. Here are some of the best ways to clean silver jewelry at home:
- Baking soda paste
- Baking soda is the king of cleaning, and it’s no different when it comes to cleaning sterling silver jewelry. Baking soda paste is easy to make at home and is a sure-fire method to clean up your money.
Just add a spoonful of baking soda in half a spoonful of water. You want two parts baking soda to one part water. Mix it until it forms a paste. Then all you have to do is rub the paste in and apply it to all the crevices. After the chain, ring, bracelet, or earring has been completely covered with the paste, rinse and dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Vinegar and baking soda
If the water and baking soda paste aren’t strong enough to do the job, you may need to replace the water with vinegar. This method takes a little longer and involves soaking the jewelry, but it is a much stronger solution than baking soda and water paste.
All you need to do is mix ½ cup of white vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl or mug. Once completely mixed, place your jewelry in the solution and let it sit for a few hours. Once they have soaked for a good period, remove them, rinse off the excess solution and buff them with a soft cloth.
Toothpaste
This is a method you may not have heard of! As strange as it may sound, toothpaste will help you remove tarnish from your sterling silver jewelry.
Mix a small amount of toothpaste with a little water and use a clean toothbrush to scrub your silver jewelry. Then simply rinse the jewelry. The most important thing to remember is not to use whitening toothpaste as the ingredients used in the whitening formula can damage your jewelry.
Soap and water
Sometimes the easiest method is the best solution for your problem. Mixing a little soap and water and placing your jewelry collection in the solution is often all it takes. Once your jewelry is in the water, simply use your hands to wash it and dry it with a soft cloth.
What’s the fastest way to clean up money?
Here is the material you will need :
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of white salt
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- 1 sheet of aluminum foil
- 1 bowl
- 1 cloth
Method :
First, boil your water.
While your water is boiling, you can prepare the rest. Place your bowl in front of you and line it up with foil, making sure the shiny side is facing up.
Once the bowl is lined, add the salt and baking soda on top of the foil.
Now slowly add your vinegar over your salt and baking soda. The mixture will start to sparkle a bit, so do this step gradually so you don’t overwhelm the combination. The goal is to make sure that all the salt and baking soda are dissolved.
Once everything is dissolved, you can add your boiling water.
It’s time to put down your jewelry. You simply drop your collection into the solution and watch the chemical reaction do its job.
Finally, remove each piece of jewelry and polish it with your cloth. When you take the jewelry out of the bowl, be careful because the water will be hot.
