Next to gold, silver is probably the most common precious metal you’re going to find in the average household. A spritely sight to behold, for many centuries (leading up to today) silver has been used in adornments to dress up everything from the dining table to our crowning glory. So common and widespread is its use (often argued to be built on the demands of industrial uses, photography and jewellery & silverware.), it has come to be known as the indispensable metal.
Pure silver has a brilliant white metallic lustre as well as the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals because it possesses the lowest contact resistance. In terms of hardness, it is a little harder than gold yet is still very ductile and malleable. It remains stable in pure air and water, but will tarnish when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air containing sulfur. Silver also has a very special nature, it possess germicidal effects and is able to kill many lower organisms effectively without harm to higher animals. However its use (colloidal silver) is a controversial one as you can you will see explained in the following paragraph.
Whilst silver itself is not deemed toxic, most of its salts are indeed poisonous (silver nitrate or silver oxide may cause breathing problems, lung and throat irritation and stomach pain.) Exposure to silver (metal and soluble compounds) in air for a prolonged period of time can be absorbed in the circulatory system and reduced silver deposited in the various tissues of the body. This then causes a condition, known as argyria which will result in a grayish (slate) to bluish pigmentation of the skin, mucous membranes and sometimes even the internal organs, although the condition is described as a purely cosmetic one that isn’t life threatening.
Now since we’re dealt with that little bit about ‘understanding’ silver, we can move on to a practical side of it that probably affects us all…polishing silver!
Whether is silverware in the cabinet or the silver on your table, or even just your pair of silver earrings, sparkling clean silver is the delight. And since silver tends to tarnish over time from wear or the lack of it, we all have to endure moments where we simply have to put some elbow grease into polishing them back into shine.
The real problem with the situation isn’t the tarnish or the polish work involved, but instead how conventional silver polish cream/liquid/dip is very toxic and certainly not environmentally friendly to use.
So here are 2 cheap and greener ways to keeping your silver wares shinning bright, and all conveniently from your home too!:
- Toothpaste
Yes, that very same paste that brings the sparkle back to your teeth will do the same for your silver. Just rub some on/into your silver and rinse. This method tends to work best for smaller pieces (earrings, rings, napkin rings etc)
- Baking soda
That very power you use in baking is a perfect silver cleaner. All you need to do is make a paste of it with water, and apply it to your silverware with a sponge. Rinse the paste off with hot water, and then buff it dry with a soft clean cloth. This method would be favoured for bigger pieces of silverware.
These are tried and tested methods, so go ahead and give your silver back its shine, this time the greener way.
