Nice silver frame turned yucky?

[CheshireVal]

I got a nice silver frame as a wedding present earlier this year-- I'm fairly certain it's real silver. About a month ago, I finally got around to putting a picture in it and displaying it on my dresser, and I just noticed yesterday that it's turned a yucky sort of brown color.

Is this normal? How am I supposed to clean it? Why did it turn dirty so soon?

 

[golfgal]

If it is real silver without some kind of lacquer protection, it will tarnish just like real silver flatware. You can polish it with silver polish, but you will have to keep polishing it a few times/year to keep it looking nice.

 

[DVCLiz]

Silver tarnishes due to a reaction with the air - I don't remember the exact chemistry, but it turns the sort of brown you describe. Use a nice quality silver cleaner - I use Twinkle or Haggerty's. DON'T use those "dip " products - they are awful for silver, even if it looks easy. Your picture frame will have the word "sterling" somewhere on the back (it will actually be engraved into the metal, not put on a sticker or something) if it is "real" silver. The other kind of silver is silverplate, and it will also have a thin layer of silver applied to the top, it just won't be sterling all the way through. Both kinds are cleaned with the same polish - don't rub too hard on the silverplate or you'll rub the silver off and be able to see the base metal underneath!!

Silver is so beautiful to use in your home - I love all that I have and although polishing it is a chore, it's one of the few that bring me real satisfaction. There's nothing as immediately gratifying as seeing silver clean again!!!!

 

[CheshireVal]

Thanks for the advice. I'll look for some silver cleaner-- would I be able to find some at Target or Wal-Mart?

 

[golfgal]

Yes, you can find it by the cleaning supplies. The jar I have is a small round jar that is black. I haven't used it for years so I don't remember the name.

 

[Living with the Land]

Target sells silver wipes now too. They are just like the clorox wipes that you pull out of the can then throw away. I don't remember the brand but the container has black and silver on it and was in the cleaning section.

Holly

 

[CheshireVal]

The silver wipes sound perfect! Thanks!