Dos’ & Don’ts of Sterling Silver Care – Guide & Tips
Posted by JewelryKind
- Do purchase high quality sterling silver rather than silver-plated items.
- Do store your silver properly (in an anti-tarnish box, wrapped in soft cloths) to avoid tarnishing and scratching.
- Do polish your silver gently and carefully when it needs it.
- Do remove silver jewelry before showering, doing dishes, exercising, or engaging in other activities where it will be exposed to moisture for long periods of time.
- Don’t store silver with wood, rubber, or newspaper, as these items can lead to faster tarnishing.
- Don’t scrub your silver too harshly when cleaning it, as this can scratch it.
- Don’t use standard wax to coat your silver. Do use micro-crystalline wax or clear lacquer, but only if necessary and recommended by an expert.
- Don’t use detergents with chloride to clean your silver.
- Don’t use a “metal polishing” product on your silver. Do use silver polishing products instead.
- Don’t wash silver pieces in the dishwasher.
- Don’t leave silver pieces lying in direct sunlight (unless you’re wearing them).
- Do use a soft-bristle toothbrush and up-and-down motions to clean silver.
- Don’t use undiluted bleach, ammonia, or acetone to clean silver. Do ask a jewelry expert before using any of those substances diluted on your particular silver piece.
- Do remove silver jewelry before swimming, especially in a chlorinated pool.
- Do read all the instructions before polishing your silver, especially if it contains stones, gems, or other additions.
- Don’t use steel wool to clean your silver (no matter how tarnished it is!).
- Do ensure that your silver storage location is as dry as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to ask an expert for help if you have questions.
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