The House Cleaning Rockville experts run a regular ‘how to clean’ articles. This time, we’re looking at silverware.
Whether it’s plates, cups, jewellery or cutlery, silver can quickly develop a dull look. This happens when it is exposed to oxygen and certain chemicals. As oxygen is in the air, you can see why silver tarnishes so easily.
How Often do House Cleaning Rockville Experts Recommend Cleaning Silver?
The more often silver is used, the less likely it is to tarnish. Otherwise, it depends on how your silver is stored. Don’t store in plastic bags or wraps, and don’t use rubber bands. Petroleum-based products break down over time and stain silver. Make cleaning a job you do every two to three months.
Rubbing Alcohol
You can use rubbing alcohol to clean silver. You will need a bottle of this, a medium-sized bowl and a clean cloth. Combine one part rubbing alcohol with four parts water in the bowl. Dip the cloth in the mixture and use to clean the tarnished parts of silver. Wipe your silver dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Dishwashing Liquid and Silver Polish
Use dish-washing liquid and silver polish for cleaning lightly tarnished silverware. You’ll also need a polishing cloth. Fill a medium bowl with arm water and add three to five drops of dish-washing liquid. Place the silver items in the soapy mixture. Clean the items with a sponge and then rinse in warm water. Dry thoroughly with a towel. Place a small amount of silver polish on your polishing cloth. Rub the silverware, as per the instructions on the silver polish. Use another clean cloth to buff the polish off. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Most polishes don’t need to be rinsed off.
Here are some more do’s and don’t’s for silver and silver-plated items:
- Don’t wash silver or silver plate in the dishwasher
- Don’t use fine silver when serving foods containing eggs or mayonnaise. The ingredients will mark the silver.
- When you wash silver, don’t use a lemon-based detergent
- Do not use Brillo pads or wire wool on silver.
- Remove salt and pepper thoroughly from silver shakers when not in use to prevent corrosion.
Here at Budget Maids we provide House Cleaning Rockville services, a maid service in Oakton or cleaning services in Columbia and surrounds, and more. Why not give us a call today and let us help you ensure that your silverware is perfectly cleaned and stored?
