Causes of Tarnish on Silverware

Because silver is a soft metal, fine scratches can develop over time on high-purity silver items such as sterling silver, causing them to lose their luster.

Pure silver is too soft to work easily and scratches easily, so silverware is almost always made from sterling silver (92.5% purity), coin silver (90% purity), or continental silver (80% purity).

Silverware may also discolor and appear darkened after long-term use.
Some people prefer this antiqued look, which is also known as "ibushi-gin," but you probably want to maintain the sparkling shine of cutlery and decorative items.

This darkening is not rust (oxidation). Silver is resistant to oxidation and rarely rusts unless it is heated with a blowtorch or similar tool.

"Sulfidation" Caused by Reaction with Sulfur

The main cause of darkening is sulfidation, a reaction with sulfur.
If silverware comes into contact with hot springs or other sources high in sulfur, it will quickly darken.

Be sure to remove silver accessories before entering a hot spring.

Conversely, there is a method of creating an "antiqued silver" finish using a sulfur-containing bath additive and hot water, but we will omit that here.
In everyday life, silverware will gradually darken as it reacts with trace amounts of sulfur found in the air, sweat, and water.
However, darkening caused by sulfidation can be easily removed using the methods introduced below.

"Chloridation" Caused by Reaction with Chlorine

Another cause is chloridation, a reaction with chlorine.
This rarely occurs during normal use, but it can happen if you accidentally use chlorine-based bleach or other products containing chlorine.

Darkening caused by chloridation is much more stubborn than that caused by sulfidation and can be difficult to remove.
Be careful not to use chlorine-based bleach on silverware.

Daily Care

Remove Dirt and Dry Thoroughly

If body oils or dirt accumulate on silverware, they react with the sulfur they contain and cause the silver to darken.

1. To remove this dirt, wash the items with a mild detergent using a soft sponge.
2. Hand washing is recommended because silverware may strike each other in a dishwasher and develop fine scratches.
3. After washing, dry the items thoroughly with a towel or cloth.

Never polish the items with abrasive cleaners, bleach, or gold polishing cloths.

For items that are difficult to wash with water because they have fabric or leather attached, simply wiping them with a cloth to remove dirt can make a significant difference.

Storage When Not in Use for a While

If you will not use the items for a while, remove any dirt, wrap them in a soft cloth such as a hand towel or thick kitchen paper, and place them in an airtight container such as a Ziploc bag.
Including a desiccant will make this even more effective.
The key is to keep them away from air and moisture as much as possible.

Polishing Light Scratches and Darkening

Over time, fine scratches may develop and the items may darken slightly.
For light scratches and darkening, simply polishing the items with a piece of cloth such as a sheet remnant can make them look much better.
Please watch the video to see how to polish them.

How to Remove Darkening

Darkening that has become firmly established cannot be removed simply by washing or polishing with a cloth.
In such cases, we recommend using a dedicated cleaner.

There are four main types of cleaners:

1. Cream Type

Also known as a polish type, this cream is applied to a cloth and used for polishing.
It is recommended for thoroughly polishing items that have become heavily tarnished due to its strong polishing power.
I often use Lucky Wood Silver Cleaner.

2. Cloth Type

Fine abrasives are blended into a soft felt cloth.
This type is the easiest to use for small accessories and other items.
These are also sold at 100-yen shops and other stores, but be sure to use one specifically designed for silverware.

This video shows how to polish a sterling silver card case using a cream cleaner.

3. Liquid Type

This is used for items that are difficult to polish with a cloth, such as chains and embossed designs.
By soaking the items in the liquid to remove dirt, you can clean recessed areas.
It also does not use abrasives, so there is no risk of stripping off plating.
Because a large amount is required when polishing large items, it is best suited for small items such as accessories.

4. Spray Type

Spray types are convenient for polishing large silverware items such as tableware and decorative objects.
Spray the liquid onto a soft cloth and use it to polish the silverware.
Some products contain anti-tarnish agents that help prevent darkening.

Summary

We have explained daily care for silverware and how to polish it using a cleaner.

Some people may think that silverware tarnishes quickly, but if you know how to care for it daily and how to polish it when it darkens, you can easily restore its beautiful shine.