cleaning - Wryght Designs

Cleaning Brass : A Quick and Easy Guide

14/03/201721/03/2017
by Claire Wryght

Brass is a metal compound of copper and zinc, it’s tarnish then is a mixture of the two chemical processes. This metal can be so lustrous when shiny and new but without proper care and cleaning can become dull and listless.

So last in our easiest ways to clean metals series is brass.

Third Up : Brass

Brass proves a little more resistant to cleaning, but a few science experiments later…

The best way we’ve found is to soak for a few hours in fizzy cola. The soft drink’s mild acid and carbonation help to lift the tarnish but it is the longest of our cleaning tips but it is safe for sterling silver. Once the tarnish has been removed, rinse and buff back to it’s glorious shine with a soft cloth and either a furniture polish or natural clear wax. The wax will help slow the tarnish from occurring. Note : we only tested this method on brass and cannot recommend for other metals. Please do not soak any gemstones, pearl or other non-brass items.

Also read : Cleaning Silver and Cleaning Copper

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Inside Wryght Designs

Cleaning Silver : A Quick and Easy Guide

07/03/201721/03/2017
by Claire Wryght

Tarnish accumulates over time on all metals, it’s actual a mini chemical reaction between elements in the air and the metal’s surface called oxidisation.

On silver items the sulphur in the air reacts with the compounds in the jewellery and becomes silver sulphide. These tiny specks of black build up to become black all over.

So second up in our easiest ways to clean metals series is silver.

Second Up : Silver

Our tried and tested tip for cleaning silver with only the things you have around the house? Aluminium foil, baking soda and hot water.

First line a heat proof, non-reactive vessel big enough to submerge the metal with aluminium foil. Boil some water. Then add the metal, the boiling water (enough to submerge) and a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of water. ‘Fresh’ tarnish comes off quickly. But stubborn tarnish can need a bit of a soak, or even a couple of applications for the chemistry to work. Finish with a quick rinse. Note : we only tested this method on sterling. We cannot recommend for other metals. Please do not soak any gemstones, pearls or other non-sterling items.

To make the shine last a little longer, add a coat of any clear wax or even a tiny daub of hair conditioner and buff to a shiny finish.

Check out Cleaning Copper and Cleaning Brass

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Studio

Cleaning Copper : A Quick and Easy Guide

28/02/201721/03/2017
by Claire Wryght

Working with metals like copper makes you curious about some strange things…

How was sterling silver invented and who decided the 925 rule?
Who developed the terms karat for gold but carat for gemstones?
And what is the easiest way to clean my metals?

Well the answer to the cleaning question very much depends on the metal itself. So over the next few posts I’ll share my tried and tested tricks for keeping your metal jewellery bright and shiny.

First Up : Copper

Incredibly the easiest and quickest way I’ve found to clean copper is plain lemon juice.

Yep, a little lemon juice in a plastic container, soak the metal for around 30 seconds making sure it is fully submerged. Then rinse with clean water. Sparkly jewellery every time. Note : lemon juice doesn’t react with sterling silver but be wary of plated metals.

To make the shine last a little longer, add a coat of any clear wax, beeswax or clear furniture polish. Apply using a soft cloth and buff to a shiny finish.

Check out Cleaning Silver and Cleaning Brass

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