8 ways to quickly clean SILVER at home

Updated July 21, 2021
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Silver is a noble metal from which many useful or simply decorative things are made, from cutlery and medical instruments to jewelry and interior items.

Such products look very beautiful, but over time their original appearance may change: the original shine disappears, the surface begins to fade or become covered with a very unattractive black coating.

Fortunately, this metal is easy to clean, so there is no need to hide an expensive accessory or simply a useful item in everyday life “out of sight.” To return the product to its previous appearance, it is enough to know a few tricks, which will be discussed in this article.

How to quickly CLEAN SILVER from blackness with your own hands? — 8 ways

Products made from this precious metal sooner or later begin to tarnish, regardless of use. In ancient times, it was believed that if a ring or bracelet darkened, then the owner of the jewelry was damaged. But darkening is a natural process for silver items. They fade especially quickly when in contact with water. In the case of jewelry, this is affected by perspiration, and cutlery loses its original appearance due to frequent washing. Silver is also affected by air, which is why even items stored in a closed place for a long time become covered with a cloudy coating.

Before proceeding with purification, it is necessary to clarify its alloy and impurities.

There are several of them:

• matte;
• nielloed;
• monetary;
• filigree;
• sterling;

You can clean up darkened silver at home. Before starting the procedure, clean the product from fat deposits with a regular detergent. Using a toothbrush with warm water, gently brush all the small depressions and curls. It is advisable to immerse the jewelry in soapy water and hold it there for several minutes. After this, rinse them with clean water and proceed to complete cleaning.

There are many means for this:

• baking soda;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• ammonia (ammonia);
• lemon acid;
• toothpaste or powder;
• salt;
• foil;
• cola cola;
• special products, liquids, wipes.
• eraser;

To get started, we recommend watching the video:

No. 1. Soda

Baking soda is an excellent household assistant, helping to remove the most difficult dirt and grease. If used carefully, silver can also be cleaned with soda, but this must be done gently, without rubbing, otherwise there is a risk of scratching the product.

To clean, do the following:

1. Mix a slurry of baking soda and water in a separate container.
2. Using a soft cloth or your fingers (if it is a small item), apply the resulting mass to the silver, carefully rubbing to remove any deposits.
3. Depressions and hard-to-reach places can be treated with a toothbrush.
4. Rinse the product and dry with a clean towel or cloth.

No. 2. Hydrogen peroxide

This cleaning method is not suitable for all such alloys. Hydrogen peroxide can both clean the product and, vice versa, leave behind even more dark spots. It all depends on the composition - the oxygen atoms that peroxide releases can both clean the metal and start the oxidation process. This is especially true for jewelry or devices that contain other metals and stones. After unsuccessful treatment with peroxide, it may turn black or become covered with dark spots.

It will be possible to clean up silver damaged by peroxide only in a jewelry store. The cost of such work often greatly exceeds the cost of the product itself. There are many effective cleaning methods using a solution of peroxide and ammonia, and if you decide to try, you should first test the resulting solution on an invisible area of ​​the jewelry, for example, on a chain clasp. If it becomes lighter, the solution can be applied to the entire decoration using a cotton pad.

No. 3. Ammonia (ammonia)

Using alcohol, you can quickly give your favorite jewelry or device its original shine.

For cleaning, use both pure alcohol and its solutions with water:

1. Prepare a solution with a 1/10 ratio of ammonia and water. If the decoration is not too dark, then just soak a cotton pad in the mixture and wipe it gently. Medium stains can be removed by immersing the product in the solution. Monitor the reaction and do not keep jewelry in ammonia for too long. Half an hour is usually enough for complete cleaning.
2. And for more contaminated decoration, use pure ammonia. The product is immersed in ammonia for no more than 15 minutes, and then rinsed with water and dried.

No. 4. Lemon acid

Using citric acid, you can significantly lighten an object or silverware.

The solution is prepared as follows:

• In 100 g, pour half a liter or a liter of water. Heat the solution in a water bath.
• After the liquid heats up, immerse the product in it along with any copper object (ordinary wire will do). Leave to boil for 15-30 minutes.
• Rinse the silver under the tap and dry.

No. 5. Toothpaste

Toothpaste does more than just remove plaque from your teeth. Experienced housewives sometimes resort to it to clean taps and other shiny surfaces. The paste is just as effective for cleaning silver items. Any pasta without additives will do. Apply it to decoration or dishes using a napkin or toothbrush. The same can be done with tooth powder, making a liquid paste out of it. When finished, rinse thoroughly to remove any remaining paste and polish with a cloth.

No. 6. Salt

Cleaning silver with salt is perfect for small jewelry, rings, coins and crosses. Prepare a container for the solution. Take a piece of foil, place it at the bottom of a bowl or pan, then add salt and water. Usually the solution is made in a ratio of 1 tsp. per glass of water. Place the products in a container and boil for no more than 10 minutes, and then rinse and dry.

No. 7. Foil

The foil cleaning method is similar to the salt method. Dilute the water, but only with soda in a ratio of 2 tbsp. half a liter. Boil, and then immerse the product and a slightly crumpled piece of foil there. Leave the silver in for one minute, remove, rinse with water and leave to dry.

No. 8. Coca Cola

Cola has long been famous for its cleansing properties. The famous drink is used to clean difficult stains and even plumbing fixtures. To clean large items (dishes, figurines), you may need more than one liter of Coca-Cola, which can hit your pocket hard, but for a small ring or earrings, a 0.5 bottle will be enough. Pour the drink into a glass and place the silver in it. Cleaning using this method may take 10-12 hours, but the result will definitely make itself felt.

Why does silver darken?

Silver darkens when interacting with compounds containing sulfur. When interacting with oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs called silver oxidation. It contributes to the appearance of a dark coating on the surface of silver items, changing their color. Often objects made of such metal turn black if they come into contact with sweat containing sulfuric acid salts. When silver and sweat come into contact, a chemical reaction occurs, leading to oxidation of the metal jewelry.

Blackening of the metal is enhanced by impurities. Copper is often added to silver, which forms dark-colored copper sulfide upon contact with sulfur. The lower the sample, the more copper it contains. The human body is capable of excreting not only sulfur, but also phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and uric acid. Any of these impurities can affect the color of a silver item.

With severe anxiety and stress, the composition of the skin secretions often changes, causing the metal to darken. The rapid blackening of the chain hanging on the neck is explained by the fact that there are a large number of sebaceous glands on the chest. Earrings blacken more intensely in those places where they come into contact with the earlobes.

Sometimes only the outer side of a silver cross darkens. This indicates that there is high humidity in the room. Water, in contact with oxygen, leads to the appearance of plaque. In addition, the metal is negatively affected by caring cosmetics, peeling vegetables, and hand washing.

Special Products for Cleaning Silver

Currently, you can find many special cleaning products in jewelry stores. Bring your jewelry to any jewelry store. The consultant will help you choose the appropriate product, paste or cleaning wipes specifically for your product. It is especially important to choose the right cleaner for silver jewelry containing stones and impurities of other alloys.

Special liquid

Most often, cleaning solutions include phosphates, surfactants and organic solvents, which effectively help remove dark plaque. Such products are not suitable for jewelry with pearls, corals, or amber, as they can damage the gemstone. Liquids are available in different packages. For example, the Aladdin product comes with a basket in which the necessary item is placed and then immersed in the solution for 30 seconds. It also comes with a convenient brush for more thorough cleaning. After the procedure, the product must be rinsed with water and wiped with a dry cloth. The only drawback of the product is the strong and unpleasant smell.

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There are also cleaning liquids in the form of sprays. One of the most popular and affordable is Chinese silver spray from Sunlight. The product also comes with a convenient brush for recesses and difficult places. In addition, as the manufacturer assures, it is absolutely safe for all types of precious stones. Sprays, unlike liquids, do not have a strong odor. To clean, just spray it on the product, hold it for a certain time, and then rinse with water.

Napkins

Manufacturers of silver cleaners also suggest paying attention to special wipes for removing dark deposits from products. They usually do not contain chemicals, which guarantees gentle cleansing. There are many different types of napkins, including disposable ones. There are special napkins for jewelry with various stones, as well as separately for dishes and tableware. In addition, napkins can only wipe certain areas of the item without touching the precious stones.

Paste

Ideal for adding shine and shine to cutlery and various silver interior items. The composition of the paste contains components that gently clean and do not scratch the product. Before applying the paste, the item is degreased by washing in soapy water. After this, the dishes or decoration are rubbed with a paste applied to a napkin and then left for some time (it may differ for all manufacturers). Remains of the product are removed with a dry cloth.

What to do to prevent silver from tarnishing

To prevent silver items from tarnishing, they must be stored correctly. If there are several silver objects, they are placed separately from each other, otherwise the metal may be scratched, and dirt can enter through the damage. It is not recommended to shower wearing silver jewelry. Due to chlorinated water, they become covered with a dark coating.

It is also prohibited to engage in sports while wearing silver items. In this case, the human body produces a lot of sweat, which contains sulfur. Its interaction with metal leads to the appearance of blackness. Do not store silver near heating devices or expose them to direct sunlight. Because of this, it darkens.

How to CLEAN SILVER at home?

There are many ways to clean your home using household products. It is also necessary to take into account that some of them, if used carelessly, can damage the product, leave scratches and spoil precious stones. It’s worth figuring out which cleaning products you need to be more careful with and which ones are safe for jewelry, dishes, and antiques.

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• Soda is not the best option for dishes, as it can leave visible scratches. For this purpose, it would be ideal to use toothpaste; it can easily cope with light plaque. But even in this case, it is not recommended to use the paste often, as microcracks may appear on the dishes. Cutlery (forks, spoons, knives) also require special care and the best way to give them their original shine, without damaging them by friction, is to boil them with soda and foil (or with salt and foil, as in the methods above).
• An eraser can be used to clean small jewelry with complex cutouts, as well as coins. Ordinary lipstick will also work for such products. Lipstick is applied to a piece of fabric, processed and washed off with soap and water. For cleaning, you can also make a paste of ammonia and chalk.
• It is not recommended to scrub blackened silver too much as it may wash away the patina, which is its beautiful highlight.

What not to clean silver

Due to its atomic structure, silver is inert, does not oxidize in air and does not react with most acids. Therefore, there are minimal restrictions on cleaning high-quality metal: it cannot be immersed in chlorine bleaches, treated with household powder cleaners, or used with harsh abrasive materials.

Otherwise, we all have at least a dozen products at home that can be used to clean silverware or jewelry.

But when it is necessary to clean a combined product containing stones, ivory, pearls; If the jewelry is made of matte or scarlet silver, you should be extremely careful and choose professional care products for silver items.

Among folk remedies, a warm soapy solution is suitable for cleaning such products.

How to clean a SILVER CHAIN ​​from blackness?

At first glance, it seems that chains are the most difficult to clean, because if handled carelessly, the lock or the links themselves will break. But there is one cleaning method in which you don’t have to touch the fragile parts of the product.

For this we need vinegar:

• Without diluting with water, pour the vinegar into a suitable container and immerse the chain there for about 3 hours.
• Monitor the cleaning process. If the item is not heavily soiled, it will be cleaned in vinegar much faster.
• Acetic acid can remove even the darkest stains.

Causes of darkening of silver

Silver sulfide deposits cause darkening of silver items. This plaque on silver is formed in the presence of humid air and the slightest traces of divalent sulfur. Divalent sulfur is used in the manufacture of rubber, is included in food additives, anti-inflammatory and anti-burn agents, and is present in hydrogen sulfide, in the gas formed as a result of the rotting of proteins.

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Thus, our normal habitat is harmful to this metal. Leaving silver items outdoors will in any case cause them to darken.

Therefore, you need to know all the methods for cleaning silver at home, choose the most suitable option for yourself, and use it periodically. Then silver items will delight you and delight your guests.

How to Quickly Clean Silver with Precious Stones?

If, when using household products, you are afraid of damaging the precious stones of the product with chemicals, then it would be better to resort to specialized products such as napkins, liquids and pastes for silver. Many of them are designed specifically for jewelry with stones; they carefully remove plaque, do not scratch them, and create a protective film. Such products are sold in jewelry stores.

Some stones have their own characteristics, which are important to consider when cleaning products:

• Turquoise is a stone that does not tolerate moisture, so immersing it in liquid is not recommended.
• Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia should not be used to clean pearls. It is best to wash it carefully in soapy water.
• Cubic zirconia and quartz are also best cleaned with plain water and soap.
• Topaz and amethyst do not tolerate high temperatures, but are susceptible to alkalis and acids with low concentrations.

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You can lighten darkened silver using improvised means at home or using purchased products. Taking into account all the features of the product and being careful when cleaning, you can quickly and effectively give it its original shine without resorting to the help of jewelers.

The nuances of cleaning products with stones, gilding and other features

If a silver piece of jewelry that has a precious stone has turned black, you should choose the right cleaning agent:

• emerald and sapphire are highly dense, so they use washing powder or mild shampoo;
• moonstone and turquoise are also cleaned with mild shampoo and laundry soap;
• topaz and ruby ​​- shampoo, but should not be exposed to hot water.

Glycerin can be used for any type of stone. Stones that are particularly sensitive cannot be cleaned with acids and alkalis. They damage their structure.

Blackened silver is removed from plaque with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. Foil and soda show high performance. This is explained by the fact that blackened silver contains substances whose interaction with such irritants shows a good effect.

If the silver has a matte surface, it is better to use the services of specialists for cleaning. Almost all products that are used at home cause severe harm to such a product.

Silver plated with gold must be cleaned with extreme care. Such products are treated with alcohol solutions. You can immerse silver in beer for 25 minutes. A soap solution to which 2-3 drops of ammonia is added gets rid of dark plaque well.

You can clean a watch with a silver bracelet at home using microfiber or suede. Apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or ammonia to a piece of cloth and wipe the product. If you need to clean radiated silver, do not use products containing ammonia. Mechanical cleansing is prohibited, so you cannot use a toothbrush. For the procedure, take ordinary glycerin.