How to clean cupronickel

Connoisseurs of proper tea drinking like to use the appropriate utensils - these are not only high-quality sets of cups and saucers, but also spoons made of expensive metals. From generation to generation in different families inherit the products of their nickel silver, which literally stand on a par with jewelry. But in order to maintain their attractiveness and practicality for a long time, you need to know how to clean cupronickel correctly, because with time it darkens and becomes not so attractive anymore. In this article we will tell you all the ways to clean such devices at home using improvised tools.

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Why is nickel silver getting dark?

Cupronickel is a precious alloy, which includes: silver, red copper, zinc, nickel. Depending on the humidity conditions, such spoons sooner or later, but always begin to darken.

At this moment, it’s time for you to think about how and how to clean cupronickel spoons and forks. The further possibility of their use for lunch with friends or a tea ceremony depends on how quickly and correctly you do it.

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How to clean cupronickel?

To clean cupronickel cutlery, several tools are suitable that you probably will find in your home:

• salt;
• soda;
• ammonia;
• eggshell;
• garlic husk;
• Toothpaste;
• potatoes.

Important! For cleaning spoons and forks from cupronickel also use special jewelry paste for silver. If such a tool is available or you are ready to purchase it, proceed according to the instructions on the package.

In addition to this you will need:

• soft rag for polishing;
• pan;
• deep bowl;
• foil;
• water;
• sponge without a hard surface.

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What can not be cleaned cupronickel?

So that the top layer of silver plating does not wear off, and unsightly scratches do not form on the surface, in no case use these devices to clean:

• graters;
• powdered chemicals;
• washcloths with a hard surface.

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How to clean cupronickel?

Depending on how dark the cupronickel has become, and what kind of remedies you have at hand, choose the method of cleaning that is convenient for you and get to work. If you follow the instructions clearly, this procedure will not take much of your effort and time.

Method 1

1. Take a pan, fill it with water.
2. Put on fire and boil water.
3. Sprinkle pasta and cook it.
4. Stir pasta with cupronickel cutlery.
5. Dip for a while in the broth with pasta, as soon as they are cooked.
6. Leave on for 10-20 minutes.
7. Remove the spoons and forks from the broth.
8. Rinse under running cold water.
9. Put on a cotton towel until dry.
10. Polish the surface.

Important! Note that if your cutlery is made with blackening, this cleaning method should not be used.

Method 2

1. Take a pan of the right size.
2. Lay a layer of foil on the bottom.
3. Pour 2 tablespoons into it. soda and salt.
4. Lay the appliances on the bottom.
5. Fill with water so that it covers all appliances.
6. Put on fire and heat for about 15-20 minutes.
7. Keep the powders completely dissolved.
8. Remove the spoons and forks from cupronickel from the solution.
9. Rinse under running cold water.
10. Wipe dry and gently polish with a soft cloth.

Important! With this method, your metal alloy items will quickly gain their original shade and shine.

Method 3

If ammonia is at hand, proceed as follows:

1. Pour ammonia into a bowl.
2. Dip the device in alcohol for 2-5 minutes.
3. Take out and rinse under running water.
4. Dry and polish with a soft rag of a suitable cloth.

Method 4

1. Take a shell of 2 raw eggs.
2. Pour them with 1 liter of water.
3. Boil it.
4. Dip all the darkened appliances from cupronickel into a decoction.
5. After 2-3 minutes, remove and rinse under cold water.
6. Gently wipe the surface and polish to a shine.

Method 5

Garlic husk also effectively bleaches cutlery from cupronickel. If you have enough of it, do the following:

1. Place the husk on the bottom of the pan.
2. Boil water.
3. Put in a pan with a decoction all the necessary appliances, without removing the husk.
4. Simmer until they brighten.
5. Remove and rinse with cool water.
6. Dry and polish the surface.

Important! The amount of husk depends on how dark your cupronickel cutlery has become. The dirtier they are, the greater the amount you take.

Method 6

1. Take a toothpaste and a soft little brush.
2. Moisten the appliances slightly.
3. Rub the spoons or forks with a little pasta.
4. Rinse with water and dry.

Important! Keep in mind that toothpaste is a fairly aggressive remedy. Therefore, act very carefully and carefully so as not to remove the surface silver plating.

Method 7

Another vegetable that can easily cope with plaque and darkening on various metals is potatoes. To use it, proceed as follows:

1. Boil the potatoes.
2. Drain the broth into a separate pot.
3. Put in it all the cutlery from cupronickel for 30 minutes.
4. Take out as soon as the spoons lighten and rinse under ordinary cool water.
5. Dry and wipe with a dry rag to remove all traces of drops.

Important! If you don’t have time to cook potatoes, you can make gruel from grated raw vegetable and put appliances in it. The remaining steps are similar to the described method with a decoction.

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Useful Tips

In order to prevent frequent darkening of cupronickel, store such devices correctly, and you will not have to spend a lot of time cleaning them:

• After each use, put them in special boxes until next time.
• Wrap each appliance in cling film, foil, or plain paper.
• After use, rinse with cold water and polish, you can add a small amount of completely dissolved soda.

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With the help of our tips, you can easily cope with the problem of cleaning such precious appliances and surprise your guests with the possession of real relics and your attitude to family values.