4 easiest and most effective ways to clean blackened silver

12/17/201605/19/2017 Maria Ivanova 3 comments

Blackened silver is a material that is more susceptible to losing its original presentation than others. However, every housewife can restore silver items to their former attractiveness.

Some people consider it necessary to contact specialists to restore the original appearance of their favorite item.

Meanwhile, financial expenses are not always justified: a service of this type can easily be replaced by independent, quick and simple actions at home.

Relevance of the problem

Silver can be found in almost every home, especially in families where they care about healthy eating, and, therefore, purchase silverware: full-fledged sets or individual cutlery.

Quite quickly after purchase and use, silver items begin to tarnish, turn black and even acquire a greenish tint.

The latter can be noticed even with the most careful handling of these products. The intensity of their use after purchase does not in any way affect their attractive appearance.

Thus, the frequency of use does not affect the degree of blackness of the product surface. The main determining factor in this matter is the metal alloy.

Why does silver turn black?

Darkening of silver is a natural process caused by the metal coming into contact with oxygen and human skin. In esoteric communities, blackness on a silver chain is associated with health problems or the evil eye.
Interestingly, esotericists are not so far from the truth. If blackness quickly begins to appear on your silver chain, and you wear it the same way as always, this may indeed be a reason to go to the diagnostician. A sharp darkening of the chain may be due to a change in the composition of sweat, an overly acidic environment or hormonal imbalance. Silver may tarnish faster than usual if you leave the silver chain on when you wash or apply makeup. But even after lying in a box for several weeks, the jewelry may fade. It is impossible to completely avoid this, but simple folk remedies that are found in every home will help cope with blackness.

Where should I start?

Blackened silver is one of several types of material. Among its other types:

• sterling;
• filigree;
• matte.

When deciding to clean a silver item yourself, you must first decide what specific alloy the items were made from.

This can be done by referring to the documentation included with the purchased items.

If there is a need to clean jewelry with pearls, coral or amber, it is strongly recommended not to do this at home.

The fact is that the listed stones have increased sensitivity to all kinds of alkalis and acids, the presence of which may characterize the product chosen for cleaning.

If you neglect this recommendation, you can very easily spoil the appearance of these stones, and it is unlikely that you will be able to restore the lost attractiveness. The best cleaning option in this case is to contact the services of specialists.

Blackened silver and oxidized - what's the difference?

Oxidized products are too smooth in appearance, smooth to the touch, and not much of a dark color. When the metal undergoes true blackening using sulfur, copper and lead, the appearance is different. It is a rich black color in some places, lightish in others. Such products have deep, clear and noble patterns. When cleaning oxidized silver, light spots may appear. Blackened silver is more resistant to polishing and cleaning, and loses its blackness if boiled for a long time or when immersed in acid.

Preparatory work

You can restore the original appearance of other types of products without risk at home. Below are four of the simplest and most accessible methods for each of us.

Before you start cleaning blackened silver using one of these methods, you need to remove all kinds of dirt from the surface of the product: grease and cosmetics, sweat and dust.

And you can do this using:

• dishwashing detergents;
• toothbrush;
• warm water.

In order to properly dilute the detergent in warm water, you can use a glass or ceramic container.
The dish is filled with water, after which the product is immersed there.

To properly clean an item from stubborn dirt, you need to leave the item in the dish for about twenty minutes. You can remove all the dirt well with any soft-bristled brush.

It allows you to completely remove all the most visible gross dirt. After this, the product is washed in warm water.

The first stage of cleaning at home is the same, regardless of which method will be used next.

Cleaning silver cutlery

Happy owners of silver sets or even one beautiful spoon have to think about cutlery hygiene at least twice a year. If the product is used for its intended purpose, then it is better to immediately forget about any chemical compounds - you can use only food-grade compounds that are easily washed off with plain water:

• Cornstarch paste - a few drops per tablespoon until a mushy mixture begins to form. It must be applied to contaminated areas, wait until completely dry, rinse and wipe with a dry cotton cloth.
• Salt solution in proportion: one heaped teaspoon per glass. It should be brought to a boil, without turning down the heat, put in the appliances that need cleaning, and after 4-7 minutes, take it out to cool and rinse the items.
• Citric acid - similar to table salt, only with an increased proportion - 100 grams per liter. The method only works on inexpensive 800 samples and below.

Important!

Abrasive compounds for spoons, forks and knives are allowed only without openwork, fragile and easily damaged elements. If you don’t want your favorite item to become covered with unpleasant-looking scratches, you will have to use gentle but labor-intensive methods.

Method number 2

It is also recommended to clean blackened silver at home using water and ammonia.

The sequence of steps in this case will be as follows.

If the product is not excessively dirty, but only slightly darkened, then you need to select a small container for cleaning.

Water and ammonia are poured into the bowl in a ratio of 10:1.

A cotton pad or cloth is soaked in the prepared mixture, and then you can clean the item.

For an average degree of contamination, the same product is prepared.

The residence time of the product in the solution in this case is from 15 to 60 minutes. Under no circumstances should you overexpose the item!

Deciding exactly when you can start cleaning is very simple: you just need to monitor the water process.

If the item is excessively dirty, for example, a chain, it should be placed not in the solution, but in pure ammonia. In this case, direct cleaning can begin in a quarter of an hour. Then the chain should be rinsed with water and rubbed with a thick fleecy cloth.

How to clean silver from blackening

If you want to clean your silver from blackening, you can use the following methods:

• You need a container, line the bottom with foil and place the product. Sprinkle baking soda on top, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and pour boiling water over everything. Leave for ten minutes, then rinse everything with warm water and dry well;
• Take a pan, cover the bottom and sides with foil, and place your decorations. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of soda on top, pour boiling water and put on fire. Wait for it to boil. Wait for it to cool completely, remove the product and rinse well under running water;
• Mix a lot of chalk and ammonia. Carefully clean the metal with a small brush. When you see the color begin to change and become whiter, leave it for half an hour. Then rinse thoroughly with water and dry.
• You can also use citric acid or even lemon itself. Apply a few drops of juice or acid to the product. You need to wait until the surface begins to lighten. After this, wash and polish with a soft cloth.

3 ways to keep your silverware shiny

If you see that the product has not whitened enough, you can repeat it again. Such simple methods are available to everyone. You will not have the problem of cleaning your silver jewelry.

Method number 3

Blackened silver can be perfectly tidied up at home using the following “tools”:

• ammonia;
• dentifrice;
• cotton wool;
• thick napkin.

The container is selected taking into account the size of the product. Ammonia and tooth powder are poured into it - in such proportions that the resulting consistency resembles sour cream.

Cleaning begins by applying the prepared mixture to the surface of the silver item with a disk or cotton ball. As soon as it dries, you can start rubbing the item with a special napkin.

How to clean mixed metals or alloys?

Silver is a delicate and soft material, so other metals can be added to it to increase the strength and life of the jewelry. You can find out the ratio of metals in the alloy by the sample indicated on the product. Sterling silver 720 is used for solder or clasps on jewelry; starting from 750 sterling silver, cutlery is made. Jewelry is mainly made from 925 sterling silver or purer metals. The lower the sample, the faster the product will turn black.

All cleaning methods listed above are suitable for jewelry above 700 standard. Whereas metal of a lower standard may contain unexpected impurities that can deteriorate from heating or exposure to ammonia. It is recommended to clean alloys with soapy water or soda, and if you know the composition for certain, you can find out more about the chemical properties of the metals it contains.

The effective ways in which you can clean mixed metals are as follows: Let's say your jewelry is made of silver and gold. Then it’s worth studying the properties of these metals and seeing what cleaning methods are suitable for two metals at the same time. This also applies to gold-plated products or products coated with other metals.

Causes of darkening of silver

Despite how high-quality the silver alloy is, sooner or later dark spots, a black or greenish coating will appear on its surface, the original shine will be lost and it will be a shame to wear it, if it is a decoration, or put it on a festive table, if we are talking about cutlery. Why is this happening?

The reason lies in the chemical reactions in which silver enters with oxygen, water and other elements that are aggressive to it. Provoking factors include:

• Storage conditions for silver with high humidity;
• Continuous wearing of body jewelry, during which sweat and fat affect the silver;
• Swimming in sea or chlorinated water (in a pool);
• Active sports with increased sweating;
• Applying cosmetics to the area of ​​the body in contact with silver (for example, creams, perfumes, nail polish remover, etc.);
• Washing dishes and cleaning using household chemicals;
• Contact with food (silver reacts especially quickly to egg yolks, onions and peas).

Let's move on to the main question: how to make silver shine?

We use food products

Loss of shine in silver occurs due to the formation of a dirt or oxide film on its top layer. You can wash off dirt with a soap solution, but if we are talking about oxidation, then you need to fight it with appropriate means. From the stories of our thrifty grandmothers and great-grandmothers, we learned what they used to clean their cutlery. They only needed one ingredient - raw potatoes.

• Peel the potatoes and cut into several parts;
• Use the cut side to generously rub the silver with potato juice;
• Allow the liquid to dry;
• Wipe the product with woolen material.

What else can you use to rub silver? If you have lemon at home, use its juice. The acids in it are very effective against traces of oxidation, but they can also cause harm if they come into contact more than expected. Therefore, take a slice of lemon and wipe it on your silver chain, cross or other item that needs brightening. Almost immediately, rinse it under the tap and dry it with a towel.

Potato starch is an excellent polishing agent. It is milder than soda, so it can be used without fear of damage. Preventative cleaning with its help will protect your jewelry and make it shine continuously on the body of its owner.

Glycerol

Glycerin will remove light stains on silver objects. Perform gentle cleansing as follows:

1. Place the silver in warm water. Let soak for 15–20 minutes, remove the product.
2. Apply glycerin to a cotton pad.
3. Gently rub the item from all sides.
4. If necessary, repeat the manipulation several times.

This type of cleaning is suitable for jewelry with fancy stones (ruby, garnet, topaz). If the stains appeared a long time ago, take the jewelry to an experienced craftsman. Professional cleaning is the only thing that will save tarnished and darkened silver.

To ensure that silver items look chic for a long time and delight you with a noble shine, learn how to properly store and care for your jewelry. Remove jewelry when using the shower, swimming pool, cleaning with aggressive detergents, and when applying cosmetics.

Cleaning silver is a mandatory procedure that must be performed regularly. The choice of product largely depends on the degree of darkening and the presence of precious stones on the jewelry. If you don't know how to clean silver at home, use simple methods. A step-by-step guide will help you avoid trouble.

Original article: https://www.nur.kz/household/cleaning/1733207-cem-pocistit-serebro-ctoby-blestelo/

Ammonia

Ammonia solution is often used to remove darkening of metal objects. It gently cleanses and whitens silver. What needs to be done to restore the purity and shine of jewelry? Follow the instructions:

1. Soak the silver in warm water for 10-15 minutes. To enhance the effect, add 1 tsp to the water. salt and stir. Then remove the jewelry from the bath.
2. Dilute ammonia with water (proportion 1:10).
3. Apply the solution to a cotton pad and gently rub the product.

If the product contains stones, they can also be treated with ammonia. To do this, soak a cotton swab in the solution and rub the stain. This procedure will not damage even fragile minerals (opal, turquoise, moonstone).

Storage rules

The pectoral cross is intended for constant wear. But if for some reason you do not wear a symbol of faith all the time, it is better to store it in a separate box or a personal compartment of a common jewelry box.

Try to avoid significant changes in temperature, protect the symbol of faith from dampness, direct sunlight, and mechanical impact. Keep the box away from heat sources (for example, radiators).

A pectoral cross is not a simple decoration: it should be treated with due respect, not forgetting the need for regular care.

Source

Foil and soda

Silver products look elegant, sophisticated and expensive. But silver has one significant drawback - its tendency to darken. Blackness on silver objects is a consequence of their improper use: keeping them in damp conditions, contact with water, detergents or cosmetics, sweat and grease lead to the darkening of the capricious metal.

How to clean silver? If professional cleaning is not part of your plans, try restoring the shine to your products yourself. An effective way, as for cupronickel, is to clean silver with soda:

1. Place a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of a metal container.
2. Pour 1 liter of water into a saucepan and add 100–150 g of baking soda. Place the container on the stove.
3. When the liquid boils, lower the silver items and leave for 15-20 minutes. To enhance the effect of baking soda and aluminum, stir the water with a wooden spoon or spatula.
4. Remove the cleaned product and remove excess moisture with a towel.

This cleaning option is suitable for jewelry without stones or inserts. Soda can scratch delicate inlay, and high temperature will ruin the item.

If you need to clean gold plated silver items, also use baking soda. Pre-soak the product in soapy water. Then dissolve 50 g of soda in 500 ml of boiling water. Stir and dip the gold-plated item into the solution. After the water has cooled, remove the product and dry it on a soft cloth.

How to clean a silver cross: effective methods

Only a person far from the Christian religion can consider a pectoral cross to be an ordinary decoration. This is a symbol of faith, dear to every truly Christian soul. The cross is worn constantly, without taking it off even to sleep and while taking water procedures.

Although this is a symbol, it has a completely material embodiment. And, like any decoration, the cross needs care. Even more than any other, because they wear it all the time. The symbol of faith, more than other jewelry, is exposed to aggressive environments, including human sweat.