Hand sanitizer silver tarnish cleaning, Digi Mart USA News: Tarnished silverware can be a problem before a special dinner, and a publisher article says hand sanitizer may offer a quick fix for light tarnish. The article notes that the alcohol in the product can help break down the sulfur compounds that cause tarnish, and that people are using it for this purpose.
The article cites silver restoration expert Jeffrey Herman as recommending hand sanitizer for removing light brown tarnish. It also explains that tarnish is a natural reaction when silver meets sulfur compounds in the air, and that sterling silver’s copper or other metals can contribute to the discoloration.
Complete prevention is not possible.
According to the article, the sanitizer should be alcohol-based and should not contain aloe vera. It suggests Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel as an example, and warns against alcohol-free sanitizers, which may contain chloride that could cause further discoloration.
The product is applied to a clean cloth or cotton ball and rubbed over darkened spots.
The article advises rinsing pieces with warm water and drying them completely with a cotton dish towel, since air-drying may leave water stains. It is not a substitute for a commercial polish across an entire collection, but it can be a gentler first step.
For display-only pieces, the article mentions applying a protective wax such as Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Wax, and it notes glycerin as another option, though these are not intended for serving or eating utensils.
