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How do I Clean Silver Treasure?

Ancient silver treasure can be damaged when it is cleaned by a non-professional. Common silver polishes and electrolytic processes are safe to use only on properly identified modern silver coins, jewelry or artwork. Antique silver treasures need to be cleaned sparingly to avoid wearing down the engravings and patterns on the surface of the object. Most people find it easy to clean antique and collectible silver objects with a paste made from baking soda and water.

Things You'll Need

Baking soda
Water
Bowl
Mixing spoon
Clean socks

Instructions

- 1
  Cover your work area with a layer of newspaper.
- 2
  Mix baking soda with drops of water until a firm paste forms.
- 3
  Pull a clean sock over your hand. Dip the covered hand into warm water. Position a dab of baking soda paste between your thumb and index finger.
- 4
  Rub the baking soda paste onto one small area of your silver item. Poke your sock-covered fingernail into grooves or patterns on your silver object. Add more baking soda paste to the silver object as needed.
- 5
  Let the baking soda paste dry for a minute or two. Rinse your used sock under running water to remove the paste residue. Place the wet sock back onto your hand if it was removed for rinsing.
- 6
  Rub the area of the silver object where the baking soda paste is drying. Rinse the silver object under warm water to remove any remaining paste.
- 7
  Repeat steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 until all of the tarnish is removed from your antique or collectible silver treasure. Change the sock when necessary on larger projects.

Antiques