How to clean silver with toothpaste
Silver jewelry is both beautiful and difficult to care for, and the same goes for silver cutlery. In terms of shine, with the passage of time, storage and little or misuse, it loses, stains and wears out; However, it is very easy to revive the beauty of silver with a few tricks.
There are many products such as liquids or wipes that are responsible for polishing and removing silver stains, however in most cases they are very expensive or difficult to obtain. If you find yourself in a hurry and don’t know what to do, at FoxWiki we bring you a simple and economical alternative. Keep reading this article in which we discover you how to clean silver with toothpaste.
Topics Covered in This Article
What toothpaste to use to clean silver
The toothpaste or toothpaste, as it is also called, is known worldwide for its effectiveness when it comes to cleaning, and not just for the teeth and mouth in general. Thanks to the components that make up the toothpaste, it acts as a powerful cleaner, eliminating stains or dirt that is difficult to remove. In the case of silver it can be effective for polishing it but also for scratching it.
Before using this trick it is important to identify What type of silver do we want to clean?since sterling or polished silver is more delicate than matte or satin silver, being more prone to damage or scratches from toothpaste.
Choose a suitable toothpaste It is extremely important to carry out this procedure, since the different types contain certain ingredients that can damage the silver. The most recommended thing is to opt for a traditional toothpaste and not gel, since most of them are not strong enough to polish the piece. Likewise, avoid all those that contain additives such as bleach, mint particles or baking soda, meaning you can see the lumps, which can scratch the piece.
How to clean silver with toothpaste step by step
For use toothpaste to clean and polish silverWhether it’s jewelry or fine cutlery, take note of these steps:
- Apply a little water to the jewelry or silver cutlery using a spray bottle filled with water. This will help you improve and facilitate the distribution of the toothpaste throughout the piece.
- Spread the toothpaste over the jewelry, depending on the size of said piece it may be more or less, however do not exaggerate with the amount. You can apply it with a cloth or cotton and in very small areas use a cotton pad or cotton swab, like the ones we use to remove makeup and clean our ears.
- Rub the silver piece well with the toothpaste. For this procedure you can use a sponge, cloth, paper or a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure any of these instruments are wet, this will help reduce the risk of scratching the bracelet, ring or silverware you are polishing. Keep in mind that as you polish, the cloth or napkin will become darker, do not be alarmed as this means that all the tarnish is being removed.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes so that the toothpaste can take effect on the most difficult to remove stains.
- Remove the remains of the toothpaste with the help of a clean cloth to see where more polish is needed. If this happens, repeat the paste and scrub process again. Depending on how bad the gloss loss was, the longer it will take to recover, so be patient.
- When the piece is perfect, immerse it in a cup of warm water or place it under the tap to remove any toothpaste residue or dirt removed from the jewelry.
- Use a soft, clean cloth to dry and remove water from the piece. It is important that you do not rub it, just pat it dry.
- Let it dry on top of said cloth for at least a day to ensure that every corner is perfectly dry and store it.
In case you are looking for the best way to clean your jewelry, check out this other FoxWiki article on How to clean silver jewelry.
Tips to prevent silver from losing shine
Lastly, apart from having to clean the silver from time to time correctly, we give you some of the best tips so that silver does not lose its shine:
- Avoid applying lotions, perfumes or creams with silver jewelry already on. In the case of rings, necklaces or bracelets, the best option is to apply these products first and let them dry well. Remember that compounds and oils can damage or cause the silver to lose its shine faster.
- Store silver in a suitable place where there is no humidity. Water and excess moisture are the number 1 enemies of silver, so make sure your jewelry is not exposed to these two factors.
- Do not wet the silver so that it does not deteriorate. Avoid wearing silver rings or bracelets for swimming, exercising or any other activity that involves water or sweat, as this causes faster loss of shine.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to clean silver with Toothpaste: – steps and tips we recommend that you enter our Home Cleaning category.