How to Clean Pearl Jewellery

how to clean pearl jewellery

How to preserve your pearl jewellery’s ethereal lustre.

Pearls are among the most delicate of all gems, being formed in nature in a very specific environment. Thus, they need very gentle care, as they are prone to becoming pitted and dull if they come into contact with the wrong products.

Here are some tips to keep your pearls protected during use, and a complete method for preserving their ethereal lustre.

day to day use

• Pearls are sensitive to acids, chemicals, body oils and perspiration, so avoid contact with perfume, cosmetics and hairspray. Always put your pearl jewellery on last when you are getting ready to reduce their exposure to beauty products.

• Never wear your pearl jewellery whilst swimming as the chlorine could badly harm them.

• Wearing pearl jewellery? Here’s an excuse to rest from the housework. The chemicals from household cleaners could damage your pearls, so no dishes or deep cleaning whilst you are wearing your jewellery. Either remove it, or take the day off!

• Remove pearls before exercise to protect them from perspiration.

cleaning your pearls

We recommend Town Talk’s Pearl Cleaners which are ideally pH balanced for pearls and will clean the delicate surface of these natural gems effectively. Choose between our Mini Pearl Spray, and one of our Pearl Care Kits. All will safely clean the impurities away from your pearls and they come with a soft microfibre cloth to polish them dry afterwards.

If pearls are not cleaned correctly, the surface can become pitted and dull. Soap may not remove all the surface impurities and, indeed, may harm the pearls if the soap is too harsh. The soap residue may also remain on the pearls, leaving them looking dull and lifeless.

Pearl necklaces and bracelets should never be dipped or washed as this may cause the thread to expand which could crack the pearls.

STORAGE

When you remove your pearls, give them a wipe down with a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth. This is gentle, chemical free, and will take off any surface residue from the day.

Do not store your pearls in plastic as this cuts off the flow of moisture from the atmosphere, which pearls need to be at their best. Never hang strung pearl jewellery to store it, as this can put undue pressure on the thread.

Instead, store your pearls out of sunlight in a safe place to ensure they won’t suffer any knocks or scratches whilst in storage. The box that your pearls originally came in may be suitable, or a dedicated compartment of your jewellery box.

How to Clean Gemstone Jewellery

how to clean gemstone jewellery

Learn how to restore the natural beauty of all your gemstone jewellery.

There are so many different types of gemstones that it can be difficult to know the best way to care for them all. Their durability can vary greatly, so they cannot all be treated in the same way. Furthermore, each piece of jewellery is unique and may have its own specific cleaning requirements. For instance, there may be a mixture of gemstones or types of metal used. If you are in any doubt do ask the manufacturers or your jeweller what care advice they can offer.

For cleaning, gemstones generally fall into two categories in terms of the care that they need - see below to find out which category your gemstone falls into. In case you are looking to clean pearls, we have dedicated information about how to care for and clean pearl jewellery.

METHOD ONE - SUITABLE FOR HARD GEMSTONES

Agate, Amethyst, Apatite, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Diamonds, Garnet, Jade, Moonstone, Onyx, Ruby, Sapphires, Zircon.

Step 1: Clean

Start by cleaning your jewellery with Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle. This specialist product is designed to clean silver, gold, platinum, diamonds and many precious stones by gently dissolving the residues of everyday life - such as soaps and detergents, food particles, body oils and perspiration - that adhere to their surfaces.

Leave your jewellery in the liquid for one or two minutes. After that, a little work with the brush should remove any embedded dirt, particularly in the settings of rings and brooches. It is this build-up of dirt which, if left, can cause the stones to look dull. Rinse and dry your jewellery with a soft cloth after use.

Step 2: Polish

Polish your gemstones to a sparkling finish with a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth. At this stage, if you jewellery is set in silver or gold metal, you can use a Silver or Gold Polishing cloth to bring this up to a brilliant shine, too. The Silver cloth has the added benefit of preventing your silver from tarnishing for longer, so we highly recommend this step.

Step 3: Store

Left unprotected, gemstones can fade in sunlight. They can also be subject to knocks and scratch. We recommend using one of Town Talk’s Anti-tarnish Jewellery Pouches to store your jewellery. Not only will this cushion your jewellery, it also works to slow the tarnishing process of silver, reducing the need for polishing in between uses.

method two - suitable for delicate gemstones

Amber, Coral, Emerald, Opal, Turquoise.

Method Two is designed for more delicate gemstones, and works with gentle products, so if in doubt use this method. Please note that you should never submerge this type of gemstone in a liquid dip, as it could lead to cracks and damage.

Step 1: Clean

For more delicate gemstones, use Town Talk’s Jewellery Spray. This is designed to gently remove the everyday smears, oils and grease that can build up and cause the stones to look dull. The included brush will assist you in gentle teasing out dirt from any hard to reach areas such as the gemstone settings.

Once the surface dirt has been cleaned away, it’s important to dry your delicate gemstones straight away as some are porous and absorb liquid.

Step 2: Polish

Polish your gemstones to a sparkling finish using a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth. The tiny fibres trap and remove even the tiniest of particles for maximum shine.

Step 3: Store

Gemstones in this category are vulnerable to sunlight and knocks. Keep these items of jewellery as safe as possible in a Town Talk Jewellery Pouch, or a jewellery box out of harm’s reach.

We hope that this helps you keep your gemstone jewellery sparkling every time you wear it! If you have a gemstone or type of jewellery not mentioned here that you wish to clean, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you as to the most suitable method.

How to Clean Diamond Jewellery

how to clean diamond jewellery

To give your diamonds a deep clean, it is not just the surface of the gemstone that needs your attention.

Despite their higher price tag, diamonds are one of the most popular choices of gemstone for both everyday jewellery and engagement rings. This is due to both their durability and their brilliant, sparkling appearance.

A clean diamond will possess much more brilliance than a dulled, dirty one, so here are our recommendations on how to keep your diamonds sparkling every time you wear them.

step 1: clean

To give your diamonds a deep clean, it is not just the surface of the gemstone that needs your attention. Any grime lurking under or around the setting can cause your diamond to become dull in appearance, no matter how much you polish the visible part of the gemstone. Use Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle to give your stone and setting a deep clean, using the brush included to tease out dirt from the setting if necessary.

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top tip

When you’re on the go, try a Town Talk Jewel Sparkle Wand. The brush is specially designed to get behind settings and remove trapped dirt which can dull the diamonds. A quick rinse in water and polish dry with the Microfibre Cloth that’s provided and hey presto - the sparkle and shine of your jewellery is restored!

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STEP 2: POLISH

Town Talk’s Diamond Polishing Cloth is made from ultra-fine weave, making it particularly suitable for diamonds. The tight weave ensures that the cloth won’t catch on your diamonds and leave tiny fibres behind. The Diamond Polishing Cloth is also perfect for bringing out daily sparkle - a quick buff will grab any surface dust or grease.

step 3: storage

Diamonds are much more sturdy than other gemstones, however are often set in soft metals such as gold or silver, which are prone to tarnish (silver), and scratching. Store your jewellery out of the sunlight in a Town Talk Anti-Tarnish Jewellery Pouch. This protects the metal from tarnish forming compounds in the atmosphere, and keeps your items safe from knocks and scratches.

How to Clean Platinum Jewellery

how to clean platinum jewellery

These steps will keep your platinum jewellery sparkling bright.

how to clean platinum jewellery

Platinum is widely recognised as the most precious metal for jewellery use. Before buying a platinum piece, you may want to become familiar with its properties and how to care for this highly prized metal.

On this page we look at what makes platinum so valuable in jewellery production, and how to keep your platinum jewellery clean and sparkling.

Platinum jewellery is more expensive than that of silver and gold, due to the following characteristics:

• It has a beautiful white colour naturally, without the need for creating a metal alloy (such as with white gold).

• It is much harder and more durable than silver or gold, making platinum very resistant to knocks and scratches.

• This durability means that platinum jewellery is of a much higher purity, at around 80-95% platinum, because the addition of harder metals is not required.

• The higher purity means that platinum jewellery is hypoallergenic, whereas silver and gold alloys can cause irritation in those sensitive when certain metals are used, such as nickel.

• Platinum is only found in a few spots globally, so as a metal it is rarer than silver and gold.

• White gold is rhodium plated to preserve the white colour, and needs regular replating by a jeweller to maintain the finish. Platinum on the other hand is naturally white, and so does not keep this upkeep.

The above benefits are often offset by the cost of silver and white gold jewellery, which are much more accessible due to the lower price point. Silver and white gold also create stunning pieces of jewellery, so are the natural choice of many. But if platinum is in your price range, you may prefer it, given the above benefits.

caring for your platinum jewellery

If you do choose platinum, these steps will keep your jewellery sparkling bright:

1 . Clean

Clean your platinum jewellery using Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle dip, which is suitable for platinum jewellery set with hard gemstones, including diamonds. The Jewel Sparkle removes grease and grime which builds up from day to day wear of your jewellery. For a deep clean, be sure to use the enclosed brush to remove dirt trapped behind the settings, too.

2 . Polish

After cleaning, use a Town Talk Gold Polishing Cloth to polish your Platinum Jewellery to a brilliant shine - don’t be tempted to skip this step as it really brings the sparkle out!

3 . Store

When your jewellery is not in use, store away from sunlight in a place safe from knocks and scratches. Our luxury Anti-Tarnish Jewellery Pouches are perfect for keeping your treasured items of jewellery safe in between uses.

The above steps will keep your platinum jewellery items shining bright, so that you can enjoy the sparkle of your treasured items each time you wear them.

How to Clean Gold Jewellery

how to clean gold jewellery

Restore the glowing brilliance to your gold jewellery.

At its best gold has a brilliant yellow shine, however it can become dull due to daily use or when stored for a long period of time. Pure gold is too soft to be used for jewellery, so other metals are added to create an alloy, and the result is jewellery that may tarnish depending upon the ratio of metals used.

Town Talk’s gold jewellery care products are specially formulated to bring back the sparkle to your gold jewellery. Scroll down for information on solid gold jewellery, how to clean gold vermeil jewellery, and also how to care for your gold plated jewellery items.

HOW TO CLEAN SOLID GOLD JEWELLERY

• For bringing back a deep shine to your gold jewellery try a Town Talk Gold Polishing Cloth. This will polish your jewellery to a glowing brilliance, leaving it looking like new again in no time!

• For gold jewellery with hard gemstones, you need our renowned Jewel Sparkle which is especially designed for cleaning all your gold earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets etc. It gently dissolves surface grime on the stones and the metal mounts, which will make the gemstones shine much more brightly! Also try our handy Jewellery Cleaning Wand, Mini Jewellery Spray and Jewel Sparkle Tissue Sachets.

• When using the Jewel Sparkle dip, do not fully submerge gold watches, or jewellery with emeralds, coral, amber, opals, or any stones that have water-soluble fixings (hard gemstones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires are fine). Instead, use our Microfibre Polishing Cloth on the stones and a Gold Polishing Cloth to buff up the gold.

• Gold is a notoriously soft metal and therefore it is prone to knocks and scratches. Protect your gold jewellery by storing it in one of our luxury Anti-tarnish Jewellery Pouches in between uses.

• If your gold is in the lower karat range, you may find that it is prone to light tarnish. Storing your jewellery in an Anti-tarnish Jewellery Pouch will also slow the formation of tarnish and keep your items sparkling bright.

how to clean gold vermeil jewellery

Vermeil is sterling silver covered with a layer of gold which must be at least 2.5 microns thick.

To keep your vermeil jewellery looking at its best, follow the same steps listed above for solid gold jewellery.

Jewellery & image from Michaela Lyons Jewellery

how to clean gold plated jewellery

Gold-plated jewellery uses a cheaper base metal such as steel or brass with a thinner coating of gold metal on top. Depending on the manufacturer, the thickness of the gold plate varies. Due to the soft nature of gold you can be at risk of wearing the gold plating away, especially on items with a very thin layer of plating. Therefore our recommendation is to handle gold plated items carefully, and clean them using Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle with a Microfibre Jewellery Polishing Cloth. This will safely remove all the surface dust, pollution, oils etc that might dull or even damage the surface, and restore the shine to your jewellery.

HOW TO CLEAN WHITE GOLD JEWELLERY

White gold jewellery is produced when the yellow gold is alloyed with another silver coloured metal to give it a whiter appearance; this can be nickel, silver, copper, zinc - it can vary. The base alloy is whiter in colour and harder but can have a yellow tint depending on the original content of the yellow gold and what its alloyed with. As a generalisation, the whiter the base ring, the lower the gold content.

With some white gold alloys the jewellery item is then plated to give it a bright white appearance, usually rhodium plating is used (platinum & palladium plating is also possible). The thickness of the plated layer and its adhesion to the base metal / alloy can vary dramatically dependant on price and quality of the item.

If the item is not rhodium plated then a very light polishing with a gold cloth is possible (we would always recommend testing in a small inconspicuous area first).

We would not recommend gold cloth for any rhodium plated item. Use Jewel Sparkle, Jewel Sparkle Tissues and Jewellery Spray for deeper cleaning, and a microfibre cloth to polish and remove fingerprints from rhodium plated white gold items.

How to Care for Silver and Brass Musical Instruments

how to care for silver and brass musical instruments

Silver musical instruments can be particularly vulnerable to tarnish through their exposure to the air and moisture.

SILVER & SILVER PLATED INSTRUMENTS

Solid silver and silver-plated musical instruments, such as flutes, trumpets and cornets, can be particularly vulnerable to tarnish through their exposure to the air and moisture. Here is a list of things you can do at home to keep your instruments looking as good as they sound.

Remember, musical instruments are highly technical and finely tuned in order to produce the best sound. Clean and handle your instruments gently and if in doubt, ask a professional.

1. You can clean away fingerprints and slow down the development of tarnish on your silver musical instruments with Town Talk Anti-Tarnish Silver Polishing Cloths. Our unique formula is impregnated into the cloth and will coat silver or silver-plated instruments in a fine, protective layer. Don’t wash the cloth, or it’ll lose its unique powers!

2. Further protect your fine silver instruments from tarnish and keep them shining bright by stowing them with Town Talk’s Silver Storage Strips. These strips absorb atmospheric pollutants. For the best results, pop a few storage strips in your instrument’s closed case when you’re not using it. Replace the strips monthly to keep tarnish at bay.

3. It’s a good idea to remove fingerprints and moisture after playing silver or brass instruments. Try the Town Talk Microfibre Cloth - it’s also ideal on keyboards, woodwind instruments, guitars and string instruments.

4. Where possible, store instruments in their case to avoid accidental knocks and scratches. Also, regularly check the catches to ensure that they close securely, and do not unexpectedly spring open whilst you are transporting your instrument.

5. For a deeper clean, always consult with a professional. However following the steps above will ensure that your instrument is kept in the best condition in between servicing.

brass instruments

For brass instruments a more specialised approach is needed. This is because there are both lacquered and unlacquered finishes used. Within the category of lacquered instruments, newer instruments use more modern methods and so the care needed can also vary due to the age of your instrument.

Therefore we recommend regular maintenance by polishing your instrument with a regular Town Talk Microfibre or Town Talk Diamond Polishing Cloth. These are both chemical free and will polish surface dust, grime, fingerprints and smears away.

For a deeper clean, consult with the manufacturer of your instrument as to what is safe to use on your particular brass instrument.

We do recommend consulting with a professional to deep clean both silver and brass instruments.

How to Clean and Care for Silver Cutlery

how to clean and care for silver cutlery

Top tips on how to clean & store silver cutlery to keep it shining and tarnish-free.

Caring for your silver cutlery can be a daunting task that may put you off using it, leaving the Sunday best sat in perpetual storage. It need not be that way!

With over 125 years experience in the silver industry we have picked up some tips and tricks along the way that will help you keep your silver cutlery tarnish-free and shining bright with ease. The tips below are perfect for all types of sterling silver cutlery, both antique and modern.

cleaning before use

Removing Tarnish

For heavily tarnished cutlery, the best & quickest results are achieved with our liquid silver cleaners; we recommend our Silver Cutlery Rinse. It is a liquid dip that removes tarnish in a matter of seconds, and is particularly useful for cleaning the tines of forks, which can be rather awkward to get to. The dip is designed for use on silver, so avoid using the Silver Cutlery Rinse on stainless-steel blades of silver knives.

Anti-tarnish Protection

Town Talk Cutlery Rinse is exceptional for removing tarnish, but it does not protect your silver from further tarnishing. Therefore, after rinsing and drying your cutlery, polishing with a Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloth for added shine and anti-tarnish protection is a must.

Ornate silver

If you have silver cutlery with an ornate or intricate design, our Anti-Tarnish Silver Foam is particularly suitable. The Silver Foam can be used at the sink with water, and has the added benefit of providing anti-tarnish protection.

A note on home remedies

We recommend avoiding home remedies to clean silver as you risk damaging your silverware. Home remedies may rely upon abrasives too strong for silver, and all home remedies leave silver unprotected against further tarnishing. Please do not risk damaging your valuable possessions with ‘quick fixes’. Town Talk products are specially formulated to care for and protect your silver items. Our anti-tarnish range protects your silver from tarnishing for longer, reducing the amount you need to clean your silver in the long term.

cleaning after use

Washing and Drying Up

Even if you are a ‘leave it to soak’ type, we recommend cleaning your silver cutlery as soon as you can after use. This is because some foods (including salt, vinegar, mustard, onions and eggs) may cause staining or tarnishing when they come into contact with silver.

When you wash your cutlery, (we recommend Town Talk’s gentle Washing Up Liquid) use clean water and a soft dishcloth, before drying with a soft cloth immediately to avoid the formation of water stains.

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top tip

When you dry your silver, avoid using new linen cloths - the starch in them is often too abrasive.

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Can I put my silver in the dishwasher?

If at all possible we recommend washing your silver cutlery by hand. Accidentally mixing silver and stainless steel in the dishwasher will remove the shine from silver and could even cause stubborn marks to appear.

storage

To reduce the frequency that you need to clean tarnish from your silver, storing it appropriately is the most important step of silver care.

At a minimum, store your silverware in a dry place and away from direct contact with wooden surfaces, to help keep tarnish at bay.

We recommend storing your silver cutlery in a Town Talk Anti-tarnish Cutlery Roll to help keep it tarnish free for much longer. The cotton cloth is impregnated with a special formulation that slows down the tarnishing process, and your silver will be protected from knocks and scratches.

We hope you enjoy dining with your silver!

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TOP TIP

For a perfect finish, remember to wear Silversmith’s Gloves when laying the table to avoid leaving fingerprints on your polished, shiny cutlery!

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How to Clean and Care for a Charm Bracelet

how to clean and care for a charm bracelet

Caring for charm bracelets can be tricky as each metal and gemstone has different care requirements.

Cleaning and caring for charm bracelets can be tricky as they may be made from a variety of metals and precious stones, all with different care requirements.

This guide will give you the best solutions for keeping your charm bracelet sparkling whether it be Tiffany, Thomas Sabo, Trollbeads or Pandora. Here is the ultimate guide on how to keep your charm bracelet looking at its best!

before doing anything - check your charm bracelet

Before cleaning your charm bracelet, it is vital to check which metals and stones make up your charms. This is because each metal and gemstone has different properties. Some care products can be perfectly fine to use on one of your charms and yet cause damage if used on a more delicate piece.

Ensuring that you know what each of your charms are made from means that you can give the appropriate care to each one, and avoid pitfalls such as using products that are too abrasive. With the right cleaning products the process is quick and easy, and will leave you with a sparkling charm bracelet for years to come.

Some gemstones such as pearls are very delicate. If you are able to take apart your bracelet yourself, it may be advisable to separate the charms before cleaning to ensure that the appropriate care product is used for each one.

Remember, if you are unsure about anything, always consult with your local jeweller.

cleaning silver charm bracelets

Sterling Silver

Over time, silver reacts with elements in the air to form tarnish on the surface, causing a blackened appearance that may cause alarm if you are not expecting it.

When this happens, we recommend using a Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloth to revive your bracelet and charms. This polishing cloth is special because it both cleans and protects your silver. It removes tarnish, restoring your silver to a wonderful shine, and it forms a protective shield which protects your treasured items from tarnishing for longer. For items that are particularly blackened, we recommend first using Town Talk’s Silver Sparkle liquid cleaner to remove the tarnish. Follow this up with a Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloth to seal your charm bracelet with anti-tarnish protection!

Oxidised Silver - ‘blackened’ silver

Please note that any type of silver polishing cloth or liquid cleaner is NOT suitable for use on charms or bracelets of oxidised silver. This is silver that has deliberately been crafted to give a blackened appearance.

For such items, we recommend simply removing surface dirt by polishing your items with a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth.

cleaning gold charm bracelets

Gold and Rose Gold Charms and Bracelets.

For solid gold and rose gold, we recommend Town Talk’s Gold Polishing Cloth to reveal the natural, brilliant shine of your items. For pieces that need a deep clean, use Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle, our liquid dip cleaner, before the polishing cloth.

gold plated charms

For Gold Plated items, do not use any type of gold polishing cloth. This is because gold is a notoriously soft metal, and so gold plating can be worn away even by specialist cleaners. Instead, we recommend using Town Talk’s Jewel Sparkle Dip followed by a polish with a Town Talk Microfibre Cloth to remove dirt and leave your charms shining.

glass, enamel and pearl charms

Glass and enamel charms

To preserve the shine to your glass and enamel charms, regularly polish your bracelet using a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth. If a deeper clean is needed, the Town Talk Jewellery Spray will gently remove any built up dirt and grime. The Jewellery Spray can also be used on everyday fashion jewellery so it’s useful to have on-hand!

Pearl Charms

If you are lucky enough to own a pearl charm, we recommend taking extra care to preserve its natural beauty! To clean your pearls we recommend Town Talk’s Pearl Spray cleaner which has been specially formulated to bring out the lustre of this natural gemstone. It can also be used on all of your charms for a quick spruce up.

Because pearls are so delicate, do not use any jewellery cleaner on your pearls unless it specifically states that it has been formulated for pearls.

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top tip

Wait to put your pearl jewellery on until AFTER you have applied your perfume and cosmetics, which can cause pitting

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storing your charm bracelet

Safely storing your charm bracelet will keep it protected from knocks and scratches, and help to protect your silver from tarnishing for longer.

We recommend storing your charm bracelet in a cloth pouch to protect it from knocks and scratches. Town Talk’s luxury Anti-Tarnish Jewellery Pouches have the added benefit of slowing the tarnishing process of any sliver items. You can also add a few Town Talk Silver Storage Strips to your existing jewellery box or bag to help prevent tarnishing.

wearing your charm bracelet

Charm bracelets are a unique and personal item of jewellery that are often full of memories. We hope this guide helps you to enjoy its sparkle every time you wear it, for years to come!

How to Clean Silver Jewellery

how to clean silver jewellery

Keep your jewellery tarnish free, sparkling and ready to wear for longer.

Here is a 3 step method for cleaning silver, which is suitable for both sterling silver and silver plated items.

Please not, the products listed below are suitable for silver jewellery without gemstones. For information on how to care for your gemstone jewellery, see our guide on how to clean and care for your gemstone jewellery.

step 1: clean

First, clean your items using Town Talk’s Silver Sparkle. This liquid dip cleaner removes the tarnish from your silver items in just minutes, bringing back the sparkling finish to your silver items. There is a small brush included which allows you to get into any tiny areas where dirt has built up. After cleaning with the Silver Sparkle, we recommend rinsing your jewellery with water and drying it with a soft, clean cloth.

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top tip

Avoid rinsing your jewellery with running water and instead use a bowl to avoid accidentally dropping jewellery down the drain!

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step 2: polish

Once your items are clean and the tarnish has been removed, buff your items to a shining finish using a Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloth. The cloth is impregnated with Town Talk’s unique formula which provides Anti-Tarnish protection for your silver. This prolongs the tarnishing process, helping to keep your silver looking its best for longer. There is also the added bonus that the silver won’t need to be cleaned as often.

step 3: protect

Silver is a soft metal and so it is prone to knocks and scratches. Town Talk’s luxury Anti-tarnish Jewellery Pouches will protect your silver whilst not in use, as well as help slow down the tarnishing process. Your jewellery will be sparkling and ready to wear for longer!

Following this 3 step process will keep silver jewellery looking at its best for years to come. We hope that you enjoy making your jewellery sparkling again!

How to Clean Brass & Copper

how to clean brass & copper

Maintain the refined charm of brass & copper items around the house.

If you have brass and copper items around the house you may have noticed their colour darkening over time as they tarnish. Here is how to restore their bright, shining appearance. Brass is an alloy formed by combining Copper with Zinc, so the care tips below can be used on both your Copper and Brass items.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BRASS AND COPPER ITEMS

Step 1: Clean

Begin by washing your brass or copper items to remove any dirt or dust. Town Talk’s Washing Up Liquid will do the trick for even non-kitchen items. This will remove any surface grime or particles that could scratch your items during polishing.

Dry your items with a soft, clean cloth.

Step 2: Polish

Using a dry cloth, apply Town Talk Brass and Copper Polish to your item. It has been specially formulated for use with solid brass and copper to clean stubborn marks and blemishes. Depending on how tarnished the metal is, it may require a little elbow grease.

Newly cleaned brass and copper will invariably have a lighter colour after cleaning - this is because brass and copper darken as they tarnish, so they can look more golden over time. To help prevent this darkening, Town Talk’s Brass & Copper Polish contains anti-tarnish protectors, which help to keep your brass or copper tarnish-free for a longer time.

Once you are satisfied with the finish of your item, rinse away the polish residue and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

why town talk?

Town Talk’s Anti-tarnish Brass and Copper Polish incorporates mild abrasives which get finer and finer during the polishing process to give a soft, glowing finish. It is non hazardous polish and as such works differently to those products which rely on higher levels of more hazardous chemical ingredients to react with the metal and clean it in that way.

The cleaning process above will maintain the refined charm of your brass and copper items around the house, so that you can enjoy your treasured items to the full.

How to Clean Stainless Steel

how to clean stainless steel

Unfortunately the term ‘stainless’ doesn’t mean ‘stain free’ !

Unfortunately the term ‘stainless’ doesn’t mean ‘stain free’ ! Anyone with stainless steel appliances or surfaces in their house knows that it really does benefit from being kept clean, because otherwise it can look very dull and dirty.

how to clean your stainless steel items

This method is suitable for any stainless steel item around your home - from pots and pans to worktops and sinks. Please exercise due caution when cleaning stainless steel electrical appliances, by removing their power supply before carrying out any cleaning, and ensuring your items are completely dry once you have finished.

Step 1: Clean

Begin by washing your stainless steel items to remove any dirt or dust. This will remove any surface grime and particles. Town Talk’s Washing Up Liquid will do the trick here, even for non-kitchen items. Dry your items using a soft, clean cloth.

Step 2: Polish

Using a dry cloth, apply Town Talk Stainless Steel Polish to your item. It has been specially formulated to remove tough stains and hard watermarks. Stainless steel is a hard metal, so you can apply as much elbow grease as is necessary to get the best results.

However, take care on satin finishes as too much elbow grease may cause items to take on a more polished look. Always try a little on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it will give you the finish you require.

Once you are satisfied with the finish of your item, rinse away the polish residue and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Finally, enjoy the restored shine of your stainless steel items!

How to Care for Marble Surfaces Around the House

how to care for marble surfaces around the house

Marble needs a little extra care to keep it looking at its best.

Marble is a popular choice for worktops due to its beautiful appearance. On the other hand, it is softer and more porous than other alternatives, so it needs a little extra care to keep it looking at its best. Here are some tips to help preserve the beauty of the marble in your home - be it marble tiles, marble worktops or marble countertops.

Image from MadCapCottage

day to day use

Marble is particularly sensitive to acid, which is important to bear in mind if you have marble worktops in the kitchen:

• Protect your marble from acidic foods such as lemon, tomatoes and vinegar by using large chopping boards, or silicon mats for added protection whilst you cook.

• Wipe down any spillages immediately, and give your counters a clean after each use. This will reduce the likelihood of unwanted stains forming.

• Finally, using coasters for drinks - especially coffee, tea and red wine - can help prevent ring stains from forming on your marble surfaces.

cleaning and maintenance

To clean your marble, use a Microfibre Cloth and a gentle detergent solution, such as a surface cleaning spray (we recommend the Town Talk Bergamot & Lime Surface Cleaner).

Harsh cleaners could end up harming the marble due to its delicate nature, so gentle is best here! Liquid polishes should also be avoided due to marble being a porous material.

protection

For longer term protection, Town Talk’s Marble Wax brings a silky smooth finish to a variety of real and artificial marble surfaces, such as quartz worktops. It is designed to seal and protect surfaces from staining, with its unique blend of natural and synthetic ingredients. Apply it sparingly with a soft duster in circular motions and then buff your marble to a shine. We recommend applying the wax twice a year, or more frequently if you sense that the protection has worn off due to frequent use.

natural aging

These tips will help to preserve your marble, but due to the delicate nature of the stone, some wear and tear is inevitable. It is also wise to embrace the natural aging process of the stone. Enjoy witnessing the natural patina form and the memories that you create in your home - so that you can appreciate your marble surfaces for many years to come.

How to Care for Antique Furniture

how to care for antique furniture

Protect the intrinsic beauty of antique furniture & flooring with these tips.

Protect the intrinsic beauty of antique furniture & flooring with these tips:

Antique wooden furniture

• Dust antique wooden furniture weekly to prevent it from losing its shine.

• Be aware of the positioning of antique wooden furniture. Sunlight can impact the colour, so consider placing furniture in a shaded area, or keeping the curtains closed when the room is not in use.

• Be sure to use place mats and coasters when taking a drink or dining on antique furniture. Take extra care when guests are around as they may be none the wiser to the effect a coffee cup could have when placed directly on your furniture.

• Polish antique wooden items frequently with Town Talk’s Luxury Furniture Wax (we recommend every 3-6 months). It provides resistance to fingermarks, spilled liquids and general everyday use.

aNTIQUE LEATHER FURNITURE

• Consider the positioning of leather items - a leather sofa too close to a radiator or fireplace, for example, will dry it out.

• Also avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight if possible, which can cause leather to fade. If you cannot avoid it, consider closing the blinds or curtains when the room is not in use, to protect your items.

• Town Talk’s Leather Cream Spray helps to prevent leather furniture from drying out. When cleaning leather avoid using water which could cause belmishes.

• Be sure to use a soft, clean cloth to apply and buff all polishes & waxes when cleaning antiques. The long-lasting Town Talk Microfibre Cloth is perfect for this.

This list of tips will help you give your antique furniture the best care, however as each piece is unique, we recommend speaking to your antiques dealer for specialist knowledge about individual items.

How to Care for Leather Bags & Purses

how to care for leather bags & purses

A well crafted leather bag last for generations, however without the appropriate care, it’s vulnerable to drying out and staining.

A well crafted leather bag can last for generations, however without the appropriate care it can be vulnerable to drying out and staining.

Here are our tips for keeping your leather bags and purses clean, soft and supple, including daily use, care & maintenance and storage:

daily use

• Leather doesn’t react well to too much water, so use an umbrella if it rains when you are out and about

• Leather can stretch and lose its shape, so do not overfill your leather bag or purses.

• If possible, avoid hanging your bag by the straps in a cloakroom, as the straps can stretch - see if there is somewhere you can place your bag instead.

• Avoid placing your bag in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time - search for a shaded area where you are able to.

• Be careful of jewellery, belt buckles and any other items of clothing which could scratch or scuff your leather accessories.

care and maintenance

• Dust your bag with a soft cloth (we recommend Town Talk’s Microfibre Polishing Cloth) at least once a week to remove surface grime from your bag. If convenient, you may wish to store a clean cloth in your bag so that you have it on hand.

• Regularly condition your leather bag with Town Talk’s Leather Cream Spray. The formula has been perfected with a unique blend of ingredients including lanolin, beeswax and carnauba wax. It will not only give your leather bag a deeper clean, but will also help prevent it from drying out and maintain its natural suppleness.

• If you do happen to spill something on your bag, blot (don’t wipe) it immediately to minimise the amount that your bag can absorb.

• If your bag becomes stained and the usual care methods do not help, consult with a professional cleaner who will be able to assist.

storage

• Store your leather items away from sunlight or heat sources, such as radiators, which can cause the leather to dry out and crack.

• Empty your bag before placing it in storage to avoid stretching or warping of the leather.

• Store your leather bags in a cloth dust bag (or a white pillowcase if you do not own one). Do not use plastic, as it does not allow the bags to ‘breathe.’

• For prolonged storage: wrap zips, clasps and any metal detailing on the straps in tissues, to avoid indentations forming on the leather.

• You can also place an appropriate amount of tissue paper inside the bag to maintain the shape.

• Do not hang your bag by the straps to store it, which can cause them to stretch. Allow your bag to stand on the base, and ensure that nothing obstructs the straps from standing.

• Ensure that the leather item is not in contact with any colourful fabrics, as the dye could seep into your leather item.

• Before placing your leather bag or purse in storage, dust it with a soft cloth and use Town Talk’s Leather Cream Spray. This will ensure that there is no dust or grime that will be allowed to settle into the surface whilst your bag is out of use.

We hope that these tips help you to get the best out of your leather accessories. Check our tips on how to care for leather furniture next!

How to Care for Leather Furniture

how to care for leather furniture

It is easy to forget that this porous natural material needs a little extra TLC.

Leather sofas and chairs are so practical but it is easy to forget that this porous natural materials needs a little TLC.

Here are our tips for keeping your leather furniture in good condition:

• If you are able to position your furniture away from direct sunlight and heat sources (e.g. radiators), this will protect your leather from fading, drying out and cracking.

• Regularly buff your leather furniture with a Town Talk Microfibre Polishing Cloth to maintain its shine.

• For a deeper clean, use a damp cloth to wipe your furniture down (be careful not to use too much water as leather doesn’t take well to this). Follow up with Town Talk’s Leather Cream Spray to revive your leather’s natural suppleness.

• Town Talk’s Leather Cream Spray has been perfected with a unique blend of ingredients including lanolin, beeswax and carnauba wax. It will not only clean your leather furniture, but will also prevent it from drying out and maintain its natural suppleness.

• Be aware of cushions, throws or blankets that are not ‘dye fast,’ meaning that the material does not hold the dye well. Because leather is a porous material, it could end up absorbing dye from these materials, leaving your beloved furniture stained with colour.

• Accidental spills should be cleaned up immediately, as leather is extremely absorbent. Time is of the essence if you want to prevent your spill from becoming a permanent stain.

• If your leather does, unfortunately, show signs of wear and spillage, consult with a professional cleaner who will be able to assist in restoring your item.

How to Clean and Protect Silver

how to clean and protect silver

A 3 step care method for keeping your silver shining bright - based upon 125 years of experience!

If you are reading this article then the chances are you have discovered tarnish forming on one of your treasured silver items. This can certainly cause a shock the first time it happens!

In this guide we look at the most common concerns we have come across, and share our 3 step care method for keeping your silver looking as beautiful as the day you bought it.

What is tarnish?

Tarnish is the discolouration of silver that occurs naturally over time as the metal reacts with elements in the air to form a new compound on the surface. Left Uncared for, silver will eventually turn quite black!

Tarnishing is a natural process so can’t be stopped completely, however there are methods to remove tarnish and some ways to help slow the formation of tarnish on your silver.

how to remove tarnish from silver

The following 3 step care system will keep your silver shining beautifully with the minimum effort:

1. Clean of the dirt and tarnish;

2. Polish your items to a shine

3. Protect your items from knocks, scratches and tarnish. Here is a breakdown of each step for you to follow.

STEP 1: CLEAN

First, clean your silver using a specialist product to safely remove any built up dirt and tarnish. For a deep clean, liquid polishes and cleaners are most effective.

The Town Talk range of silver polishes and cleaners are formulated and manufactured to the highest standards. All of our products are manufactured in the UK, and we are honoured to have been bestowed with a Royal Warrant for our silver polishes and cleaners. You can see the full range here.

STEP 2: POLISH

Once you have cleaned your items, the next step is to buff your silver to a shining finish. If your silver is only lightly tarnished, then a Silver Polishing Cloth alone could be sufficient to bring back the sparkle to your items. For medium to heavy tarnish choose our Silver Polish which also provides the most anti-tarnish protection of all our products. Try it out and see for yourself!

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Did you know?

Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloths create an invisible ‘shield’ on the surface of your silver, helping to prevent the formation of tarnish for longer.

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Original Havemeyer Trophy from the US Open stored in a custom Town Talk Storage Bag

step 3: protect

Once your silver is shining bright, how you store it will play a large part in determining how long it stays that way. We recommend storing silver items in a cotton bag or pouch whilst not in use. The Town Talk range of Silver Storage bags and Jewellery Pouches are impregnated with an anti-tarnish formula to protect your silver. It works to prevent your silver items from tarnishing for longer by removing tarnish forming compounds from the atmosphere. Using cotton storage bags also servers to protect your silver from knocks and scratches whilst out of use.

Silver care faqs

Here are some of the questions we get asked most frequently about cleaning silver.

My silver is almost black what should I use to clean it?

Clean your silver with Town Talk Silver Polish, Spray Silver Polish or Silver Foam; they all work wonders on heavily tarnished silver. For smaller items try our Silver Polish Tissues.

How abrasive are Town Talk silver polishes? Will I damage the silver if I polish it too often?

Town Talk has over 120 years of experience when it comes to selecting just the right level of very fine abrasives for its silver polishes. The abrasives work almost invisibly but are sufficiently abrasive to cut through tarnish and grime and then polish your silver to a glowing brilliance.

Town Talk has refined each product to select abrasive properties that most closely meet the needs of the metal being cleaned. For example, silver and gold don’t require the same hard abrasives needed for stainless steel, or the slightly finer abrasive used on brass.

As long as the product is being used as directed, no damage will be caused to your silver items.

What do anti-tarnish protectors do?

Anti-tarnish protectors are one of the most important ingredients in Town Talk silver polish products. Our unique anti-tarnish ingredient bonds to silver and forms an invisible shield on its surface, protecting it from tarnish-forming substances. This protective layer means that your silver will last much longer before it tarnishes, so by using Town Talk products you will find you need to clean your silver less frequently.

Can I use silver cleaners on silver plated items?

Silverware companies of repute use advanced silver-plating technology to ensure a finish that’s both beautiful and highly durable. The chance of removing all silver from one of these companies’ goods through over polishing is highly unlikely.

On the other hand, very lightly plated, cheaply manufactured silverware has the potential for being affected by the use of any brand of silver care product.

We always recommend you check the manufacturer’s guidance on the use of silver polish on silver plated products, and if in doubt still, test on an inconspicuous area before use.