Home remedies for restoring silver: Shine without the cost

Silver, although elegant and stylish, gradually loses its shine. The dark tarnish that appears on its surface results from chemical reactions that occur upon contact with air. Sulphur dioxide, present in the atmosphere, reacts with silver, causing it to darken. That's why regular cleaning of silver is essential to maintain its beauty for longer.

Improper storage of silver is one of the main causes of its tarnishing. Items made of this metal should be kept in dark, well-sealed places to limit their exposure to air. It's also worth remembering that air pollution in cities can accelerate the tarnishing process.

Before the holidays, we often bring out cutlery that has been forgotten for a long time. Even the most beautiful spoons and forks lose their charm when they are covered in stains and deposits. Instead of reaching for chemical agents, you can use white toothpaste. Thanks to the gentle particles in the paste, you can effectively remove discolouration and restore shine to the cutlery. All you need is toothpaste, a soft brush, and a few minutes of patience to make the spoons, forks, and knives look like new.

Another effective method involves using salt and aluminium foil. Line a bowl with aluminium foil, add 5 tablespoons of table salt, and pour over a litre of boiling water. Put the cutlery inside and leave it for a few hours. With this method, even heavily soiled cutlery will regain its shine. Cleaning silver cutlery with salt and aluminium foil relies on a chemical reaction that transfers discolouration from the silver to the aluminium foil.

Another method is using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Start by washing the cutlery under warm water to remove the largest dirt particles. Then boil three litres of water, add four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and five tablespoons of vinegar. Submerge the silver cutlery in this solution and leave it for at least thirty minutes. After this time, rinse the cutlery under water and polish them.

To keep our silver cutlery pleasing to the eye for as long as possible, remember a few rules. First of all, avoid washing them in the dishwasher, as strong detergents can damage the delicate surface of the silver. Instead, wash them by hand using mild cleaning agents.

It's also advisable to regularly polish the cutlery with a soft cloth, which will help remove small dirt and restore shine. Also, remember to store silver cutlery in a dry place, away from moisture, which promotes tarnishing.