Cleaning Silver Coins
Whenever you decide on cleaning silver coins, make sure you have enough of two things, time and patience, which are most needed when dealing with antique silver coins! Silver is a very sensitive metal, even the slightest mistake can end up ruining the originality of the coin. Therefore, it is advisable not to clean the coin unless absolutely necessary, as the ingredients involved can react with the metal and further worsen the condition of the coin. Most of the people want their silver coins to look as good as new. It is natural for silver coins to darken with time, as the sulfur present in the environment reacts to the metal, and due to this oxidation, the coins gets a gray and eventually black tarnish! I would advice you not to clean silver coins with chemicals if you are not an expert in the field. The reaction might give you worse results than what you already have. Mentioned below are some easy and effective methods which can be of great help when it comes to cleaning silver coins. All you need to have is patience and time.
Different Ways of Cleaning Silver Coins
There are many methods of cleaning silver coins which have a very gentle approach, and that's the way it should be done because silver is an extremely sensitive metal. Have a look at the steps to get the dirt out of your silver coins mentioned below.
Cleaning Silver Coins by Brushing
The first and foremost step that should be taken towards cleaning silver coins is the most safe and gentle method of brushing them with a toothbrush with soft bristles. This cleans away the dirt on the coin. Once you have done that, the next step would be to soak the silver coins in distilled water for 2-3 days, again followed by gentle brushing! Repeat the process gain and again, until you are fully satisfied! Change the water daily. Make sure that you are soaking only silver coins in the water and NOT mixing them with some other coins of bronze or copper as these metals will react and change the color of the silver.
Cleaning Silver Coins with Vinegar
Cleaning silver coins with vinegar is also a well-known and effective method which is used by many people. All you need to do is to soak the coins in vinegar for about half an hour to one hour. After that, take them out of the solution and gently brush the coins with light strokes! Vinegar allows the deposited dust to dissolve and brushing would help remove it from the coin. Repeat the process again as desired!
Cleaning Silver Coins with Baking Soda
Baking soda can also be your answer of how to clean silver coins! All you need to do is make a paste of baking powder and distilled water. Once you have made a thick paste, take the silver coins on your left palm and gently rub the paste over the silver coins with your right hand (left if you are a lefty). You can also make a paste of 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with 3-4 drops of vinegar instead. Once you rubbed them with the paste, leave overnight (for exceptionally dirty coins), and brush them the next morning after soaking in distilled water for sometime!
Cleaning Silver Coins with Olive Oil
Olive oil is another beneficial natural way to clean silver coins. You need to soak the coins in olive oil and leave it alone for approximately 180 days. Keep checking the color of the oil every month. If it is discolored, then change the olive oil. After 180 days, take the coins and brush it to remove the separated dust from the coin. Repeat the process again until you get the desired results! As I mentioned earlier, cleaning silver coins need a lot of time, especially when it comes to tarnished silver cleaning!
Cleaning Silver Coins with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is also an effective way to clean silver. Soak the silver coins in lemon juice for about 5-6 minutes. Also soak a toothpick in lemon juice. Take the toothpick and gently use it to remove the dirt from the coin. Make the sure that the citric acid from lemon juice is removed by soaking it in distilled water for several weeks, changing the water everyday and patting it try!
Cleaning Silver Coins with Mild Soap
Another way to clean silver coins is to try this homemade silver cleaner! All you need to do is to take warm distilled water into a bowl and add a mild liquid soap into it! Make sure that the water is bout an inch deep. Soak the silver coins in this solution for 2-3 hours. Gently take the coins and massage the coins with your hand. Once that is done, take a toothbrush and softly brush off the excess dirt that has been lifted from the coin by the mild detergent. Repeat the process if required.
Before you decide on cleaning the silver coins, make sure that the coin you are using is not valuable. If you have no experience in cleaning silver coins, then it is advisable to take professional help. Do not experiment with coins that are valuable. Instead, you can try these methods on coins which you are willing to take a risk with, as there are high chances for you to go wrong, if attempting for the first time. All the best!
