Consulting the Silver Expert

TARNISH REMOVAL WHEN IN A HURRY

If company is on the way and you don’t have time to read the entire Care of Silver guide, use the following instructions (steps I personally use most often).

1. Wax porous attachments like wooden handles and ivory insulators prior to cleaning;
2. Rinse the object under warm running water assisted with a cellulose sponge to remove any particulate matter. This includes dried polish that should be tapped out lightly with one of these brushes after being rehydrated. Dry the object immediately with a cotton towel. If you don’t have access to a sink, spray the piece with water and wipe it lightly with a cellulose sponge, then dry;
3. Remove any remaining residue with hand sanitizer on cotton balls, cotton makeup pads, and/or cotton swabs (skip this step if the object is free from residue following the rinsing);
4. If tarnish has been removed with the above process, wash off any hand sanitizer residue and dry the piece immediately with a cotton towel;
5. If tarnish remains, use Herman’s Simply Clean Collectors Silver Polish with a cellulose sponge, cotton balls, makeup pads, and/or cotton swabs (cotton balls and makeup pads in combination with the polish will remove tarnish more quickly than with the sponge);
6. To protect your piece from tarnishing, apply Meguiar’s Quik Wax on areas that do not come in contact with food or drink.

Mr. Herman continues to offer his services to our readers for any questions you may have about the care of silver. Either contact him at (800) 339-0417 (USA) or via email: jeff @ hermansilver.com

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