1. Learn more about your product's material first, and then follow the proper care of your jewelry to help keep your jewelry look its best.
- Polish your silver jewelry regularly using a non-abrasive soft cleaning cloth, or with lukewarm water. Gently brush it clean and then rinse it in clean water. To remove caked-on dirt, let it soak for 10 minutes in lukewarm soapy water. Gently brush it clean then rinse in clean water. For a shinier surface, polish with a cloth and a cleaning solution.
- Do not expose jewelry to chemicals. Silver is given detail through oxidation. Exposure to harsh chemicals can alter the appearance of your Soufeel products. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, Liquid Silver Polish, Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas. Oxidized silver and pearls are easily damaged. Water itself does not damage sterling silver, it’s the chemicals in the water that can cause it to change color, so never wear your sterling silver jewelry in a hot tub, mineral spring, swimming pool, or any other chemically treated water.
- When you are not using your jewelry, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight as well as harsh substances like chlorine. Store them in a cool, dry place, a zip-lock bag, or an individual cloth pouch to help prevent both tarnishing and scratching.
2. For more frequently asked questions, please refer to the following proper care, this includes being aware of how you store, wear, and clean your jewelry.
I. Why does my sterling silver turn black or tarnish?
Tarnish is a dulling that naturally occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the air. Some foods or everyday items containing sulfur can cause tarnishing, but even polluted air can turn sterling silver black. If you have too much acid in your skin, it may speed up the chemical reaction on silver appearance.
II. How to avoid tarnishing?
Do not expose your Soufeel products to harsh chemicals or environments that can alter the appearance of the product. These include, but are not limited to, liquid silver polish, pools, hot tubs, and spas. Avoid contact with sulfur-heavy items and foods. Latex gloves, wool, and elastic items contain higher levels of sulfur and tarnish sterling silver faster. In addition, eggs, salad dressings, and onions also speed up the tarnishing process.
III. How to maintain sterling silver jewelry?
a. The best way to prevent sterling silver from turning black is to perform regular maintenance. Clean sterling silver with a silver polishing cloth and occasionally a silver polishing compound to keep the tarnish from accumulating.
b. Get some white toothpaste. It has to be white, and it has to be paste and not a gel. Wet the jewelry, put a blob of toothpaste on a wet rag or washcloth, and rub the jewelry gently. Rinse and dry the jewelry. Ta-da! Tarnish remover with no nasty chemical stink! Smells minty fresh! Do this when your jewelry looks dull or gets black in the crevices of the design. It is cheap, smells good and works wonders too!
Hope this helps!