FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS                 

 

Can I use Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer on any items which have been silver plated but that are now worn ?
Yes, but it may take many polishes before Silver Enhancer will cover the worn spots on your silverware. We recommend that before using Silver Enhancer, you use Holland Hallmark Silver Plater to re-plate silver onto all copper based metals. Then after you have re-plated the object you can maintain the silver layer you have applied, forever, with Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer.  

 

Can I also use Silver Enhancer to clean my copper ?
No, as Silver Enhancer contains silver in the liquid, you would after a while  silver plate your copper objects with a thin layer of pure silver. So if you just want to clean your copper use Holland Hallmark Copper / Brass Cleaner. If however you want to turn your copper items into silver plated ones, then Holland Hallmark Silver Plater is perfect.

 

Will my silverware tarnish after the use of Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer ?
Silver Enhancer polishes with pure silver, and as we all know, silver tarnishes! However, with the use of Silver Enhancer you will reduce the rate of tarnishing considerably as this product contains amongst other ingredients, tarnish inhibiting products which slow down the rate of discolouration and tarnishing.

 

How long will my silver keep clean when using Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer ?
Much longer than with traditional polishes, as Silver Enhancer contains tarnish inhibitors. However the rate of tarnish depends on a large number of varying factors, such as: Do you live along the coast ? Do you have an open fire ? Do you smoke ?Is your silver placed in a draft ? Is your silver displayed in the open, or in a cabinet ?  Is your silver placed above a central heating radiator ? From the above you can conclude, that air circulation, such as from radiator, fans, open fire etc. will speed up the tarnishing process.  But generally speaking the use of Holland Hallmark Enhancer, compared to traditional silver cleaners and polishes, will drastically reduce the formation of tarnish and thus reduce your need to polish.

 

I have silver at home which is showing red / yellowish marks which do not disappear with normal polishing. Can Silver Enhancer help?
Yes it can, but it may take many polishes before the worn marks will be silver plated again. Your problem is, that the layer of silver on the item has completely been worn away, through polishing and normal wear, and now the base metal of copper or brass is showing through. We therefore recommend first of all the use of Holland Hallmark Silver Plater. Simply apply Silver Plater before using Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer and you will restore your worn item to its former glory. Holland Hallmark Silver Plater simply polishes silver ON. Thereafter use Silver Enhancer to keep it in pristine condition.

 

What happens if I use ordinary silver polish on items that have been cleaned with Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer ?
Traditional silver polishes are abrasive and gradually wear away the silver on any silver plated object. To avoid this problem, always polish in future with Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer to maintain your precious silverware. In the long terms this will give the best and most economical results.

 

Do I have to clean the object before applying Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer ?
It is generally not necessary to clean the object before using Silver Enhancer, as Silver Enhancer contains a cleaning agent which will be activated immediately you apply the product. So Silver Enhancer itself will clean any latent tarnish and light dirt before it will deposit a layer of silver on the clean base metal. However, if the item is particularly greasy or dirty, it is recommended to remove this surface dirt before applying Silver Enhancer. Wash the item in warm soapy water first. This way you will also make the most economical use of Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer.

 

My silver plated item is scratched and worn. Will Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer be able to restore this damage ?
Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer will apply a very thin layer of silver to the item every time you apply it and it will therefore, in time, re-silver the worn areas on the item. It would be better however to use Holland Hallmark Silver Plater for this purpose and although this is not a filler and will therefore not fill in scratch marks, it will silver plate the base metal, you may still see the scratch mark, but it will be much less obvious.  

 

My silver plated item has not been touched for years and is completely black. What can I do ?
First of all, clean the item by washing it in warm soapy water, rinse and dry, then apply Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer. You will find that two or three applications of Silver Enhancer will be sufficient,

 

Can I use Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer on cutlery and food dishes ?
Yes, Holland Hallmark is non toxic and can therefore be safely used on any table items such as cutlery, serving dishes, sauce boats, sugar and milk sets, even oven dishes. Silver Enhancer is suitable for both silver and silver plated items. We do however recommend, as good hygiene practice demands, that newly cleaned items should be washed, rinsed and dried before use (as when using any household cleaner).

 

Can objects treated with Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer be washed in the dishwasher ?  
Yes,  the new silver will not wipe off, or wash off. However, good practice in care for silver and silver plated items forces us to inform you, that the use of a dishwasher for silver plated and silver items may stain the silver, as a result of both the detergent used in dishwashing machines and also as a result of other metal objects touching the silver items in the dishwasher. So we would recommend hand wash, every time, as the best care for your precious silver and silver plated items.

 

Is Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer safe to use ?
Yes, Holland Hallmark products are very safe to use in the home. They are water based and do not contain ammonia, phosphates, cyanide, solvents or other flammable ingredients. They are odourless and non irritant, very user friendly and extremely satisfying to use.

You do however need to protect hands, work surface and clothing from staining. Silver Enhancer, because it contains pure silver, will stain hands etc. if no precaution is taken. We therefore recommend wearing household gloves when using Silver Enhancer and protecting clothes and work surfaces with layers of plastic. Avoid splashing and therefore staining.

 

Will the silver layer I have just applied whilst polishing, fade ? 
No, the silver you have applied is pure silver and pure silver does not fade. As with any other silver plated items however, it may get worn if you keep using abrasive household polishes as a regular maintenance for the item. However, when maintaining items with Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer, as you have just done, your silver will remain in excellent condition forever ! But it will still, occasionally, require cleaning with Silver Enhancer, to remove the tarnish which will occur naturally.

 

When does my silverware need Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer ?
If your solid silver or your silver plate looks rather dull and dirty, then Silver Enhancer will spotlessly clean the item, add silver, improve the silver luster and retard the tarnish.  

 

I have used Silver Enhancer and let it dry on the item, now what do I do ? 
No problem. The Silver Enhancer liquid has now formed into a powder. Therefore it is best to remove the dried up liquid with a dry cloth or dry brush (if the item is ornate) first. Remove as much as possible. Then wash the item with warm soapy water, use a soft brush if necessary, then rinse with warm water and dry. You may have to repeat this action. Then just apply Silver Enhancer again and you will have excellent results.

 

How often should I use Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer to get the best results.
You may use Silver Enhancer as and when your silver starts to look tarnished. This will be less frequent than with traditional polishes. But you may use it as often as you wish, because Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer will only improve your silverware, every time you use it.

 

Can Holland Hallmark Silver Enhancer harm my silver ?
No. Holland Hallmark products are, by nature, gentle cleaning, polishing and restoration products, that add pure silver with every application, thereby preserving the beauty of your silver indefinitely. Conventional silver polishes by contrast, remove silver every time you use them to clean your precious items. So use Holland Hallmark products with absolute faith that they will only ever enhance the appearance of your precious silverware.

 

If you have any further questions about the use of Silver Enhancer or any of the other Holland Hallmark products, then please do not hesitate to e-mail us at info@hollandhallmark.com