Restrained and aesthetic silver jewelry is almost everyone. In many kitchens, you can also find cutlery made from this noble metal. Like all other materials, it needs cleaning over time - the surface fades, becomes covered with characteristic blackness. How to clean silver in this case effectively and safely? We will present the most useful tips for you.
Method number 1: lipstick
An unexpected, but quite effective method. Lipstick is one of the recognized silver cleaners! The fact is that it contains a lot of fat and titanium dioxide. The first element polishes the metal to a shine, and the second contributes to effective cleaning.
How to clean black from silver using this method?
- Take the lipstick you haven't worn in a while. Liberally smear the surface of a cotton pad with it.
- Now start rubbing the dirty silver with the lipstick - try to rub it until it squeaks.
- The surface will be cleaned before our eyes - blackness will remain on the disc.
The only negative is that the method is only good for smooth surfaces.
Method 2: Toothpaste
How to clean silver to make it shine? Use what is in every home - toothpaste! The fact is that it contains various kinds of abrasive microparticles - chalk, sand, and so on. Namely, they can remove black deposits without scratching the surface of the jewelry.
We will act like this:
- Moisten the bristles, squeeze a pea of the paste onto an old toothbrush, preferably with soft bristles. It is more gentle to clean, and will also be able to get into hard-to-reach places on the jewelry.
- Then it remains to rinse the silver under warm running water and rub to a shine with a microfiber cloth.
If this method did not remove all plaque, we move on to more serious measures. How to clean silver now? Prepare a solution: toothpaste (or tooth powder) + a few drops of ammonia. The product is also wiped with this composition, after which it is washed in water.
Another popular composition using these ingredients: toothpaste (tooth powder), ammonia and water in proportions of 2:2:5. Silver is also wiped with a solution, after which it is rinsed under running water.
Method 3: Egg Yolk
This is the answer to the question "How to clean silver?", which would have been given by our distant ancestors, from the times when this precious metal was valued more than gold.
What will we do:
- Dip a cotton swab in the egg yolk and wipe the dirty jewelry well.
- Let the yolk dry, afterthen wash the silver in water.
The method is good because it not only cleans the jewelry, but also helps to ensure that it does not get dirty for a long time. The yolk protects the surface from oxides that cause browning.
Method number 4: hydrogen peroxide + ammonia
How else do you clean silver from blackness at home? Mix equal parts ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Place the decoration in the solution. It is important to dilute the composition in a container with a closing lid, because ammonia vapor has a pungent unpleasant odor. Leave the product in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it under running water.
If there are stones on the jewelry, be sure to look at how they are attached. If the "paws" are made of the same silver, then everything is fine. But if using glue, then we do not advise you this method - the solution will soak the adhesive base!
Also recommend that you never clean silver with pure hydrogen peroxide! Yes, the substance perfectly whitens this precious metal. But at the same time, it enters into active reactions with its elements. And the subsequent result will be the opposite of what you want. It is possible that the silver will become cloudy. Although this plaque can be removed in the future, our goal is to clean the product, not to contaminate it even more.
Method number 5: ammonia solution
Here we will use ammonia (aka ammonia solution). This is the same product that is 100% suitable for cleaning jewelry with natural stones. ExceptMoreover, it is very easy to apply. Ammonia will return shine to stones, and the precious metal will relieve blackening and turbidity.
How to clean silver at home - a chain, ring, bracelet or cutlery with an ammonia solution? Pour the proper amount of ammonia into a resealable container. Place contaminated products there, screw on the lid. Now the container must be shaken vigorously until the silver is cleared. Then rinse jewelry and cutlery under running water. That's it!
To enhance the effect of the ammonia solution, you can refer to the preparation of the solution. In 1 liter of water, dilute 2 tbsp. tablespoons of ammonia, add a little liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide. Mix thoroughly. Soak the silver in the composition for 15 minutes, then polish the products with a fleecy cloth.
The method is good because it cleans silver even in hard-to-reach places. And with it - and precious stones-inserts.
Method number 6: prepare solutions
How to clean blackening silver at home as effectively? We advise you to also prepare these types of solutions - it will take a little time, but the cleaning will be more complex:
- In 0.5 liters of water, dilute 1-2 tbsp. spoons of soda. Put the solution on the fire, bring to a boil. Then place silver cutlery and jewelry in there, as well as a small piece of aluminum foil. In 10-15 minutes you will get the products clean and sparkling like new!
- As an option - pour boiling sodawater with a piece of foil decoration added. The aluminum and soda will also react with the silver sulfide, which will dissolve the ugly blackness.
- There is also a light version of the method: soak silver in a soda solution for 10-15 minutes. Then take it out and wipe it off with a soft cloth.
- If you can't find soda at home, you can easily replace it with s alt. The solution is prepared from a glass of water and 1 teaspoon of s alt mixed in it. However, silver in this composition must be soaked for a couple of hours. Or boil it in a saline solution for about 15 minutes.
But in no case will we clean silver with dry soda, food or calcined! If the jewelry has natural stones (turquoise, pearls, corals, etc.), then the abrasive can easily damage their vulnerable porous structure. Gems can lose their amazing natural luster and become cloudy.
Method 7: Citric Acid
How to clean silver while blackening yet? Use citric acid. Here is a simple sequence of actions:
- Dilute 100 g of powder in 0.5 liters of water.
- The composition is sent to the water bath.
- After it boils, put a piece of copper wire and dirty silver jewelry into the solution.
- Boil products for about 15 minutes.
- Then silver should be washed under running water and dried thoroughly.
Method number 8:vinegar
An effective method, as they say, for the lazy. You will need a 6% vinegar solution. Heat it up in a water bath. It is best to do this in a well-ventilated area - the substance emits a characteristic unpleasant odor.
Then, dipping a soft cloth in warm vinegar, just wipe the silver item with it. That's all science!
Features of cleaning silver with precious stones
In order not to damage expensive jewelry, we recommend that you look at this table before cleaning.
| Ivory, coral, amber, pearls | Very delicate creatures, sensitive to alkalis, acids and solvents. It is better to entrust their cleaning to a specialist |
| Garnet, ruby, topaz | Do not expose to high temperatures - stones may change color |
| Turquoise, malachite, moonstone, opal | Characterized by a soft surface - abrasives are contraindicated for them |
| Aquamarine, sapphire, emerald | High density stones that will withstand any cleaning |
And another important topic.
Features of cleaning matte and blackened silver
In the case of blackened silver, it is important not to damage the beautiful top layer. Therefore, a "bath" in a soda-soap solution for 20-30 minutes is suitable for decoration. "Soaking" in water with potato peelings for several hours is also effective. Unwashed plaque is removed with a regular pencil eraser.
Regardingmatt silver do not use abrasives and acids! The most suitable is a soapy solution.
Now you know a little more about effective and safe silver cleaning. We hope you found the perfect tip for your occasion!
