Cleaning sterling silver with baking soda trick

[Pippin60]

I use a Sunshine polishing cloth and then a Selvyt SR polishing cloth. Usually just the Selvyt polishing cloth. I use this same method on my antique pocket watches and the impact to them is minimal and their almost irreplaceable. Also I try to use my silver pens fairly often as using them and the oils on my hands keep them nice and shiny. I will still polish them with the Selvyt cloth as the oil from your hands over time is acidic.

[eckiethump]

I use a Sunshine polishing cloth and then a Selvyt SR polishing cloth. Usually just the Selvyt polishing cloth. I use this same method on my antique pocket watches and the impact to them is minimal and their almost irreplaceable. Also I try to use my silver pens fairly often as using them and the oils on my hands keep them nice and shiny. I will still polish them with the Selvyt cloth as the oil from your hands over time is acidic.

 

A fact so often disregarded, when a thread goes into the do's and don'ts of what to use in cleaning or polishing pens.

et

[The Silversmith]

This process, known as electrochemical (galvanic) reduction, uses aluminum foil or an aluminum/ aluminum alloy plate and a warm solution of sodium carbonate (washing soda). When the object comes into contact with the plate in the solution, it removes only light tarnish, not the thick, black tarnish produced by years of neglect. Pitting of the object can occur if the aluminum plate is not periodically cleaned. Another not-so-obvious problem is scratching of the object when in contact with the plate.

Objects cleaned by this method may tarnish more quickly than silver that has been polished, for the object's surface will act like a sponge and more readily absorb tarnish-producing gases and moisture. The solution can also seep into hollow areas such as coffeepot handles, unsoldered spun beads around the tops of lightweight holloware, weighted pieces with minute holes, and any porous attachments. For these reasons, this cleaning technique is not recommended.

 

[Hooker56]

This process, known as electrochemical (galvanic) reduction, uses aluminum foil or an aluminum/ aluminum alloy plate and a warm solution of sodium carbonate (washing soda). When the object comes into contact with the plate in the solution, it removes only light tarnish, not the thick, black tarnish produced by years of neglect. Pitting of the object can occur if the aluminum plate is not periodically cleaned. Another not-so-obvious problem is scratching of the object when in contact with the plate.

 

Objects cleaned by this method may tarnish more quickly than silver that has been polished, for the object's surface will act like a sponge and more readily absorb tarnish-producing gases and moisture. The solution can also seep into hollow areas such as coffeepot handles, unsoldered spun beads around the tops of lightweight holloware, weighted pieces with minute holes, and any porous attachments. For these reasons, this cleaning technique is not recommended.

 

Welcome Jeffrey!

 

It's always handy to have a Silversmith on board. I perform simple repairs to my own vintage pen collection and occasionally to pens that friends bring me. Do you do any re-plating? I often come across sterling or coin silver pen caps that are in need of re-plating. it seems difficult anymore to find artisans that have this capability.

 

Thanks,

 

Clayton

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Hmm. I'm also reminded of something I picked up from a book on coin collecting: using a paste of bicarb and water, rubbed with your bare hands, as the least-destructive way to clean silver coins. No mention of electrolytic cleaning with aluminum, though.