Care and Storage of Silver
In many cases a simple household remedy is enough for cleaning: a soft cloth, lukewarm water and a little mild washing-up liquid already remove most residues. For heavier tarnishing there are special products such as silver cleaning cloths or special cleaning pastes. It is important to do without aggressive chemicals or abrasives, as these attack the surface.
Protection against tarnishing is equally decisive. Silver reacts sensitively to humidity and to sulphur compounds such as those contained in rubber, latex or some textiles.
Anyone who wears or uses silver regularly prevents tarnishing quite naturally, incidentally, because contact with the skin acts like a gentle polish. Even so, contact with perfume, hairspray or chlorinated water should be avoided as far as possible.
In my view proper handling is decisive for preserving value. Anyone who cares for silver and stores it correctly also preserves the intangible and material value of the gift over the long term.
An often underestimated tip is to keep pieces apart in storage: silver should not be stored with other metals, as it can be damaged by friction or chemical reactions. Regular checking also makes sense. That way the first traces of tarnishing can be spotted in good time and removed gently.
The perfect gift idea: a sculpture in silver
Caring for silver sculptures
The same applies to silver sculptures: caring for them regularly not only keeps them shining but also protects their value.
If the surface shows only a slight yellowish sheen, a dry microfibre cloth is often enough. One gentle wipe and the fine film disappears. If tarnishing has already progressed further, cleaning with a soft cloth and a special silver care product is advisable, such as Silber Intensiv Pflege by Polyboy. There are also pre-soaked silver cleaning cloths, which are particularly suited to quick and uncomplicated use.
For stronger discolouration, Elsterglanz Silber-Polierpaste is a good choice. It cleans thoroughly and gives the sculpture back its characteristic shine.
If the silver has already tarnished heavily and appears almost black, a tried and tested household remedy helps: boiling it with aluminium foil. To do this, put a pan of salted water on the hob, line the base with aluminium foil and immerse the sculpture completely. On heating, an electrochemical reaction takes place. The sulphur compounds (silver sulphide) are reduced by the aluminium, and the silver shines anew. Electrons migrate from the aluminium foil to the silver sulphide, which is converted back into metallic silver. The aluminium foil turns dark in the process, a sign that it has worked.
After cleaning, applying Renaissance Wax is advisable for light sculptures. It protects the surface from tarnishing again and extends the time until the next care is needed. Sculptures with a dark patina do not as a rule need this protection.