What Causes Silver To Tarnish

The Chemistry of Tarnish

Sterling silver flatware brings a classic elegance to any table. Unfortunately, along with silver's good looks comes the responsibility to care for it regularly to prevent tarnishing. Most people bring out the good silver only for rare occasions or holidays that come a few times a year, which makes keeping the silver tarnish-free more difficult. Elements present in the air itself cause silver flatware to tarnish.

Silver flatware will eventually develop blackish areas that progress until the entire piece is covered with tarnish. This occurs when the silver in the flatware undergoes a chemical reaction with sulfur-containing compounds in the air. The two combine, forming a black silver sulfide coating on the flatware. This coating will get progressively worse if not removed from the silver flatware. High humidity increases the likelihood of tarnishing.

1. Removing Tarnish From Silverware

   • Many good silver cleaning products are available on the market. These products should be used only when necessary, as they all contain harsh abrasives that can damage good silver to some degree. The residue from these polishes is often difficult to remove from silver flatware that has numerous crevices. Use a wet horsehair brush to remove the dried polish from these surfaces. Chemical dips are also available for removing tarnish from silver, but keep in mind that these contain an acid, along with a complexing agent. The acid is a corrosive compound that should be handled with care. Wear nitrile gloves and use the dip in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes. Chemical dips should only be used as a last resort and are best used by a qualified silver restoration professional.

   Preventing Tarnish

   • To prevent tarnishing, use the flatware frequently and wash with a gentle, non-lemon scented, phosphate-free dish detergent after use. If you should see light tarnish developing on pieces, use window cleaner with vinegar to remove the yellow discoloration and dry carefully. Some commercial silver polishes will provide tarnish protection also.

   Silver Cleaning Precautions

   • Do not use silver polishes that have dried out, as this will increase the abrasive quality of the polish and could damage silverware. Never put sterling silver flatware into the dishwasher. Both the components within the dishwasher and the detergents used to clean dishes can cause damage to your silver. Components within the dishwasher can react chemically with the silver causing discolorations. The detergents can abrade the surface of the silver. The Society of American Silversmiths also advises against using toothpaste as a silver polish. Though toothpaste is always handy and will remove the tarnish, it is much too abrasive for delicate silver. Even small amounts can cause serious damage