Ultrasonic cleaners are a popular tool for cleaning all sorts of things, from jewelry to firearms.
But do ultrasonic cleaners work on silver? The answer is yes, ultrasonic cleaners can be used to clean silver. Silver is a soft metal, so it’s important to be careful when cleaning it with an ultrasonic cleaner.
In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to clean silver with an ultrasonic cleaner.
Cleaning Silver Jewelry is Surprisingly Simple
If you own any silver jewelry, you know that keeping it clean can be a challenge. Unlike other metals, silver tends to tarnish quickly and easily.
Fortunately, ultrasonic cleaning provide an easy and effective way to clean your silver jewelry and keep it looking like new.
Do Ultrasonic Cleaners Work on Silver?
The short answer is yes, ultrasonic cleaners can absolutely be used to clean silver jewelry. In fact, they’re often the best option for getting your silver sparkling clean.
However, they can’t remove all tarnish or damage. If your silver is particularly dirty or damaged, you may need to use a different cleaning method first.
How Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners Work
Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create process called ultrasonic cavitation in the water.
These bubbles collapse with such force that they create a scrubbing action that can remove dirt, grime, and other buildups from surfaces.
Jewelry cleaning experts believe that ultrasonic cleaning is especially effective at getting into small crevices and removing dirt from silver jewelry.
Are Ultrasonic Cleaners Safe for Silver?
The short answer is yes! When used properly, ultrasonic cleaning is safe to clean all types of silver jewelry.
In fact, many jewelers recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner as part of your at-home silver jewelry maintenance routine. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damage.
Will Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Remove Tarnish?
While ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can be effective at cleaning precious metals and jewelry pieces, they will not remove tarnish.
Tarnish is a type of corrosion that builds up on the surface of metals over time, and it cannot be removed with the usual cleaning solution or by simply wiping it away.
If you want to clean your jewelry and remove tarnish from silver, you’ll need to use a special tarnish-removal product along with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine or take it to a professional jeweler for cleaning.
How to Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner to Brighten Tarnished Silver?
To use an ultrasonic cleaner, you will need:
- An ultrasonic cleaner
- A cleaning solution
- A bowl of distilled water
- A soft cloth or polishing cloth.
- Silver pieces
- Jewelry baskets (optional)
Fill the ultrasonic cleaner tank half way with the cleaning solution and distilled water.
Place your silver jewelry pieces in an ultrasonic jewelry basket, if you have one, or simply put it directly into the tank(not recommended).
Be sure that the delicate pieces of jewelry do not touch each other. Make sure that the silver is fully submerged in soapy water.
If required you can let the silver soak for a few minutes before starting the ultrasonic cycle.
Turn on the ultrasonic device and let it run for two to three minutes. The high-frequency sound waves will create cavitation bubbles that will loosen the dirt from the silver surface.
If your silver is particularly dirty, you may need to let it run for a longer period.
You can degas the solution if your ultrasonic cleaner has a degassing cycle. This will help remove any air bubbles in the water and ensure that your silver jewelry comes out sparkling clean.
After two or three minutes, turn off the ultrasonic cleaner and remove your silver items from the tank. Rinse them off with cool water and dry them with a soft cloth. Your silver should now be bright and shining!
If you’re not satisfied with the results, you can repeat the process. Just be sure to empty and refill the tank with fresh solution before starting again.
If you are using jewelry baskets, make sure they are lined with a soft cloth to prevent scratching. And If your silver is particularly tarnished, you may need to repeat steps 2-3 until all of the tarnish is removed(You may need to use tarnish remover).
For best results, use distilled water rather than tap water in your ultrasonic cleaner. This will help prevent mineral buildup on your silver jewelry.
FAQs
Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean silver-plated jewelry?
You should not use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean silver-plated jewelry as it can damage the plating.
Conclusion
If your silver jewelry or flatware has lost its luster, don’t reach for the abrasive cleaners, give ultrasonic cleaning a try instead!
Ultrasonic cleaners are safe and gentle on sensitive items such as jewelry, yet they’re powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt, grime, and other contaminants.
Plus, they’re easy to use simply add water and dishwashing liquid to the cleaner and let it run for 5-10 minutes. In no time at all, your silver will be shining like new!
