Tips on storing Silver to prevent Tarnish

Silver items always add beauty and elegance to any décor. Be it a dinnerware or a decorative piece, a pooja item or Jewellery, the beauty and shine of this precious metal is remarkable. Silver items usually get tarnished if not stored properly. Tarnish is discoloration or black film that can develop on silverware, making it look dull. It is usually the result of a chemical reaction between silver and sulfur or items that contain sulfur like air, water, wool, felt, rubber, etc.

It’s extremely difficult to wash off this tarnish with soap and water. The only way to get rid of it is by polishing the silver article. However, frequent polishing is not suggested for several reasons. Firstly it is a tedious job. Secondly, every time you polish silver items, it might take some silver off. Hence it’s advisable to store them in the best possible way to avoid tarnish.

Let’s check out some simple tips to store Silver Articles:

• • Make sure that the silver articles are cleaned immediately after use. Any salt/acidic food can cause damage to silverware.
  • Always wash silver articles using a mild soap/detergent. After washing pat dry each article using a soft flannel or cotton towel. Never leave silverware to air dry as drops of water can cause spotting.
  • Pure silver is soft and hence is prone to scratches/dents. It’s best if each article is wrapped separately.
  • Never wrap silver articles in newspapers/rough material. These can be wrapped individually in unbleached cotton or muslin cloth/cheesecloth or acid-free tissue/paper.
  • Chalk can help prevent silver articles from tarnishing. Place 1-2 pieces of Chalk in the box/bag in which you store silver items. Chalk can help absorb moisture thus minimizing the risk of tarnish. Ensure that the silver articles are wrapped properly to avoid direct contact with chalk.
  • Silica Gel is extremely helpful in absorbing moisture, thereby preventing tarnish. Try placing it inside the bag/box along with silver articles.
  • Never use plastic bags to store silver items as it traps moisture and can cause tarnish. You can use airtight boxes/containers instead.
  • Avoid using rubber bands to hold silverware together as rubber contains sulfur and can cause tarnish.
  • Line the box/bag in which you store silver articles with an unbleached soft cotton cloth to give an extra layer of protection.
  • Avoid storing the bag/box containing silver articles in a humid place or a wet basement/attic. Also, never store it in a place with high heat.
  • A variety of flannel bags/anti-tarnish cloth are available online. One can explore these options too for storing silver items.

Following these simple tips will help you maintain the gleam of silver articles, reduce the need for polishing, and also ensure that your silver items remain safe from tarnish.