This monsoon, keep your silver jewellery clean with sheen

Give your beautiful silver items a new look with few and economical home tips.

Silver jewellery has been a significant adornment for women globally since ages. Its significance can be best judged from the number of silver ornaments she receives from family and friends on various occasions. An exposure to air, humidity and water tarnishes silver ornaments. So, taking care of silver items becomes more essential in rainy season as it takes away its sheen and newness.

Avoid wearing silver ornaments when you’re going out in the rain. Don’t wear them while taking shower or even washing your hands (if it is a hand accessory). Keep your silver jewellery away from humidity by wiping it dry and storing it in zip lock plastic bags. Place a thin layer of cotton on the inside walls for full-proof protection. A piece of chalk, activated charcoal or silicon is advisable to be kept in the zip lock bag to effectively prevent tarnishing. Don’t store multiple pieces in the same bag as the individual pieces can scratch each other being soft in nature.

If your silver jewellery starts tarnishing, don’t wait until it becomes too hard to get rid of. Give it a new look today with few safe and non-toxic, easy and economical home tips.

Make a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish washing detergent free from ammonia and phosphate. Clean your silver jewellery with it by dipping a soft cotton cloth in it and gently rubbing the jewellery. Rinse thoroughly in running water and dry the piece with microfiber cloth.

Mix half a cup of lemon juice with one teaspoon of olive oil. Dip a soft cotton cloth in the solution and squeeze well. Clean your silver item with this dipped cloth. Rinse the silver piece well and dry it.

Add water in baking soda to make a consistency like a toothpaste. Apple pea-sized paste on your tarnished silver jewellery and rub with a soft cotton cloth. For detailed items liquefy the paste by adding some more water and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the crevices. Rinse thoroughly with warm running water and dry with a microfiber cloth.

Make a solution by mixing one cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda. Soak the tarnished piece in it for two to three hours. Then rinse thoroughly in running water and dry well.

Line your kitchen sink with an aluminium foil paper, the dull side facing down. Place your silver items on top of the foil and pour boiling water over the pieces till they are submerged. Add two tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoon of salt in it. Stir well so that there is no lump. Let your items get completely soaked in it for 10 minutes. The reaction will cause the tarnish to get transferred to the foil and your jewellery will appear like new. Remove the jewellery from hot water with the help of tongs. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry well. Buff with a soft cloth.

After cleaning with any solution, rinse silver items thoroughly in running water since the solution can stick in small crevices and may harden later. Also dry the items well with a microfiber cloth to prevent water spot stains from forming. Avoid using commercial silver cleaners completely. They might give a lustre temporarily, ruining the anti-tarnish coating and valuable patina leading to more frequent care in the long run.

Silver is susceptible to environmental conditions. If doing on your own, get it cleaned by right technique or get it treated by a professional silver cleaner. If your pieces are very old, fragile or adorned with gemstones, pearls or other precious stones, your home solution may ruin them either by loosening the glue or in some other way. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a professional silver cleaner.

Now you may welcome the monsoon with open arms without worrying about your silver ornaments. Enjoy their sparkle with pleasure for many more monsoons to come.