CLEANING OF

SILVER
1. What is Silver? What are the types of Silver?
- Silver is a metal that is malleable, ductile, soft and
has a great shine to it. In a hotel, silverwares are
used, they consist of Trays, spoons, cups, vases,
pots, bowls, etc. Silver is of two types; Sterling
Silver and EPNS silver. Sterling silver consists of
92.5% of Silver and Copper. It is costly and is not
used in Hotels. EPNS or Electroplated Nickel
silver is basically silver electroplated on an alloy of
Nickel, Brass or Copper

Sterling Silver flatware which costs about $200 EPNS Bronze which costs $25 dollars

2. What is Tarnish? How is it Caused?

Tarnish can be defined as a

coating on the metal because of
exposure to air or moisture.
Tarnish on silver is of black-
brown colour, it occurs when the
equipment is exposed to air and
it gets oxidized. Tarnish destroys
the beauty of an equipment.
HOW TO CLEAN SILVER
1. Regular Cleaning-
Silver articles are dipped in hot detergent solution and after
that they are scrubbed using a white cotton cloth, after this they
are rinsed in an aluminum basin with hot washing soda
solution. Once the tarnish is removed, it is wiped with a lint free
cloth and stored in air tight containers/spaces with tissue paper
wrapped around them.

2. Silver Dip Method-

In this method silver articles are immersed in a pink color liquid
of ‘Thiourea Compounds’. After this they are rinsed in hot water
and buffed. They are then stored in stainless steel containers.

3. Polivit Method-
Silver articles are dipped in hot soda solution containing an
POLIVIT aluminum sheet. Chemical reactions occur between
the sheet and the article with which the tarnish is removed to
an extent. After this they are rinsed in hot water, dried, and
buffed.

4. Proprietary Procedures-
By using precipitated whiting powder and jewelers rouge, they
are rubbed on the article and left to dry, later they are rinsed,
buffed, and stored.

5. Plate Powder-
A mixture of precipitated white powder and methylated spirit or
ammonia solution is made. It is applied on the article, left to dry,
scrubbed, and rinsed in hot water and buffed.

6. Burnishing Method-
Articles are put in a vibrating drum that contains polished silver
balls, detergents are also added, and then the machine is
operated. The tarnish is removed by scrubbing action of the
balls. Later, rinsed in hot water and stored.
▪ POLIVIT Method-
Objective – To remove the tarnish of a Silver Article using Polivit
method
Materials Required – Tub, Hot Water, Sodium Carbonate, 9-Fold
Duster, any EPNS article that is tarnished, Aluminum Sheet.

Procedure-
1. Using a 9-fold duster, clean the EPNS article thoroughly ensuring that
there is no dust or dirt on it.
2. In a tub, pour hot water, sodium carbonate (according to the size and
no: equipment)
3. Take a sheet of Aluminum foil, cut it into a rectangle and place it
inside the tub.
4. Place the silver article inside the tub, ensure that the article and the
sheet are in contact with each other
5. Add some more hot water to cover the entire article in water.
6. Chemical action of the sodium carbonate and aluminum removes the
tarnish on the EPNS article.
7. After a few minutes, rinse the article in hot water, wipe and buff.

Result – The tarnish is removed from the silver article by chemical

action of Aluminum and Sodium bicarbonate

An example of Polivit Method, here a tarnished silver

coin is used, it is placed on top of the aluminum sheet
and the sodium bicarbonate + hot water solution is
being poured by a spoon.
▪ PLATE POWDER METHOD
Objective- To remove the tarnish of a silver article using Whiting
powder mixture
Materials Required – EPNS silver article, Whiting powder,
Ammonia solution, a brush, 9-fold duster, cotton cloth, clean rag

Procedure-
1. Using a clean 9-fold duster, remove the dust and dirt from the
silver article.
2. Take adequate whiting powder and Ammonia solution and make a
paste
3. Apply this paste on the EPNS silver article using a brush
4. Leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes or till it is completely dry
5. Using a clean rag, scrub the article very well
6. Rinse in hot water and then buff till dry

Result – The tarnish on the silver article is removed and it

gives a very shiny and lustrous appearance to the article.

A tarnished silver cup being

coated with the Mixture of
Whiting powder and ammonia
solution using a sponge