Conservation Day 2022 - Metal theme

We continue in the spirit of good advice as we celebrate Preservation Day, this year on a slightly 'harder' theme! Metal objects such as candlesticks, jewelry or kitchen utensils are something you most likely have at home. And maybe you think that they take care of themselves, that a polish once in a while is enough? But different metals require different care, and today we're going to give you some general tips on how to take care of your silver!

Continuous cleaning. It is often when silver items are put away or stop being used that degradation begins. Silver is affected by ozone and sulphur and nitrogen compounds (found in some food and wool products, for example) which quickly form a black layer of silver sulphide on the metal surface - which can actually be protective. However, if left unevenly and for too long, the silver can corrode. Therefore, regular cleaning to remove dust, old polish, stearin and other dirt is important to prevent corrosion and unnecessary polishing. Regular cleaning also prevents fingerprints from becoming permanent on the metal surface - if left long enough, they are difficult to remove! Use lukewarm water and detergent, but don't immerse the items in the water, rinse - it's more controlled. Never let the item self-dry! Dry it thoroughly with a hair dryer or cotton cloth after cleaning.

Remove the candle wax. Stearin can be a nice touch when it runs down the candlestick, but it can also be a real culprit if you want to keep your candlestick in good condition in the long term. Stearin can cause corrosion on the metal surface. So how do you remove stearin? Flushing under hot water works fine, unless your item is hollow - then warming the stearin with a hairdryer, wetting a cotton cloth with white spirit or gently poking the stearin away with a wooden stick (as the material is softer than the metal) may be a better option.

Polishing. If polishing is necessary, it is recommended to use polishes that do not contain aluminum oxide as it scratches the metal surface. Remember also that silver-plated objects are particularly sensitive to polishing!

Print the tips and save them!

Take me to last year's tips on how best to store your old photos.

Photo: Elena Lango, the Silvermuseet