How to clean silver to make it shine

How to clean silver: Pixabay How to clean silver if you need to restore the shine and chic appearance of jewelry, cutlery or other precious metal items? A jeweler can carry out professional cleaning. If you decide to clean silver at home on your own, use simple methods using available kitchen or pharmacy products.

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:

Place a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of a metal container.
Pour 1 liter of water into a saucepan and add 100–150 g of baking soda. Place the container on the stove.
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.
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.

What to do in special cases

How to professionally clean silver to make it shine if the product has inserts? Or was it done using the blackening method? We talk about these special cases.

Stones in products

It’s worth noting right away that not all jewelry with stones can be cleaned at home. For example, pearls and amber are so sensitive that none of the self-care methods are suitable for them. It is better to immediately take such things to a jeweler. If you don’t know the name of the stone, then you shouldn’t take risks here either.

Gemstones such as sapphire and emerald are durable, hard and dense. They can be cleaned in any way. Ornamental stones such as malachite are very soft and cannot be cleaned with tooth powder, paste or even a sponge. Use ammonia solution, but add slightly less ammonia.

Some stones, such as ruby and topaz, change color when exposed to temperature. Therefore, such jewelry cannot be cleaned in hot water.

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Blackened silver

Blackened coatings cannot be cleaned using any of the above methods. They require accuracy and delicacy, and do not tolerate exposure to abrasives and chemicals. So, how to clean blackened silver at home in two ways.

Dissolve a little baking soda powder in soapy water. And leave things in it for 30-40 minutes. This way you can remove slight darkening.
The second method is more experimental. Peel a few potatoes, place them in a bowl of water and add decorations. After 3-4 hours, the accessories should become clean again.

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Gold plated details

The gold layer is very thin and soft, so it is not recommended to use harsh products such as powders and sponges for care.

One of the gentle cleaning methods is vinegar essence. To do this, just add a couple of tablespoons of acid to water and leave rings, earrings or chains in this solution. If stains remain, they can be removed with a soft cloth soaked in the same vinegar.

A more original method is to leave it in the beer. After that, do the same: rinse and wipe with a cloth. If there is contamination, use ammonia as in the first recipe.

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Enameled parts

This is a capricious material that does not tolerate physical impact and chemistry. It is best to take such items to a jeweler for cleaning. And in emergency cases, ammonia can also be used. But you can’t add any chemicals to it, only water.

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Cutlery

To clean cutlery, you can use all the methods described. With one amendment. What is good for 925 standard is not always suitable for 800, and such spoons and knives also exist. Therefore, before the procedure, be sure to check the sample and try to clean an inconspicuous area.

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Cleaning
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How to clean silver with soda

Looking for an effective way to clean your silver cutlery?

Silver cutlery: Pixabay

Sweet soda can clean silver:

Pour the contents of a bottle of soda (1 or 1.5 liters) into a fireproof container.
Place the pan on the fire and place the silver in it.
Boil for 15 minutes. Then take out the item, rinse with water and wipe dry.

Heating is harmful to most stones. Therefore, do not use this option to clean silver decorated with fragile minerals - palom, turquoise, malachite, garnet, ruby or sapphire.

Tips on how to maintain the shine of a product for a long time

Cleaning and polishing jewelry is not difficult (at least not too old and neglected), but you want to do it as little as possible. Therefore, you need to follow simple storage and care rules:

Don't wear rings all the time. Take them off at night, during washing, cosmetic and medical procedures, during training and “dirty” physical labor. Minimize the impact of negative factors, and at the same time give your fingers a rest.
Store your jewelry correctly. Jewelry should be stored in a closed box, a special pencil case or other container designed for this purpose. Ideally, each decoration should be in a personal box. Protect your jewelry from humidity and temperature fluctuations!
Be especially careful when handling jewelry with inserts. If handled carelessly, the legs may become unbent and the stone may fall out. Rings with pearls and other organics require especially delicate handling: they require specialized care.

Let your jewelry always maintain a presentable appearance and require cleaning as little as possible!

20.08.21

Toothpaste or powder

Would you like to know how to clean silver? Toothpaste or powder, including washing powder, will cope with blackness on metal, for example, on a silver chain:

Apply a generous layer of toothpaste to the product. Do not use gel paste because it is not effective. If you decide to use powder, you should not apply it dry: you will scratch the metal. Make a paste: mix 3-4 tbsp. l powder (dental or washing) and 1 tbsp. l. warm water. Roll the silver item in the mixture. Leave for 10–20 minutes.
After the required time, use a soft brush or sponge to scrub the darkest areas.
Rinse off any remaining product with water and dry the silver.

Tooth or washing powder, as well as toothpaste, will help clean silver with durable stones - emerald, sapphire and aquamarine. Use a soft brush; scrapers and other abrasive objects are strictly not suitable.

The nuances of cleaning silver items with stones

If your jewelry with stones has become dull and you want to clean it, immediately discard any methods with acids and abrasives. Most stones are very sensitive to any external touch, so the cleaning method must be chosen carefully.

For example, natural stones such as coral and mother-of-pearl cannot be wetted. Jewelry with them should be wiped with a dry, lint-free cloth, and the silver part should be walked over with a sponge soaked in a soapy solution. But pearls are sensitive to alcohol products, so they should be avoided. Cubic zirconia and amethysts can be washed in a soapy solution, but jewelry with topaz can be cleaned in a solution with ammonia.

If you have any doubts about what kind of stone is in the jewelry or how to clean the silver so as not to damage it, it is better not to experiment and take the items to a professional. In the workshop, you will carefully clean your tarnished silver and dull stone and return your jewelry to its shiny appearance.

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:

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.
Dilute ammonia with water (proportion 1:10).
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).

Why does a ring need to be polished?

Silver and, to an even greater extent, gold are soft metals. It is impossible to wear jewelry made from absolutely pure precious metals: they would deform under the slightest load and easily become covered with a network of scratches.

That is why pure gold and silver is never used to make jewelry: a certain amount of alloys are added to them, which improve the performance properties of the alloys. However, over time, any piece of jewelry loses its shine and becomes covered with surface defects. They just need to be eliminated by polishing.

The content of precious metal in a jewelry alloy is reflected in the hallmark. The higher the standard, the purer and more expensive the metal, but also the higher its softness. Products made from high-grade alloys require polishing more often.

Polishing a gold or silver ring can be done in a jewelry workshop. This is by far the most gentle and effective option, ensuring that the jewelry looks new and is not damaged. The only significant disadvantage of this method is the relatively high cost.

Gold ring with diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)

The more complex the surface of the ring and the higher the degree of wear, the more expensive the services will be. An important role is played by the presence of inserts, decorative enamel, blackening, and so on.

Rhodium-plated surfaces (white gold and silver) cannot be simply polished, because during the procedure the thinnest layer of rhodium is removed, protecting the jewelry from damage. All that remains is to have the ring rhodium plated again, and this is an additional expense!

If the jewelry has a complex configuration, deep scratches or signs of deformation, it is better to immediately accept the costs and contact a workshop. No miracle cures will help in especially severe cases!

Rhodium plating (coating products with rhodium) is used only for white precious metals. This method significantly strengthens the surface and reduces the risk of scratches.

How to clean silver: soap solution

Silver with stones and other decorative elements must be cleaned very carefully. For delicate cleaning, liquid detergent is ideal.

Silver jewelry with precious stones: Pixabay

The cleaning steps are as follows:

Pour warm water (no higher than 40 °C) into a small clean bowl.
Add a few drops of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. Lather the solution.
Dip the silver item into the soapy water. Leave to soak for 10 minutes.
Take out the silver and rub the dark areas with a piece of cloth.
Rinse away any remaining dirt and soap with clean water.
Place the item on a dry towel and let dry.

This cleaning option is applicable for most minerals. Even the most delicate stones (amber, garnet, ruby and even ivory) will not be harmed by the soap solution. The main thing is not to place jewelry in boiling water and do not use abrasive materials for cleaning.

Ketchup

Did you know that you can clean silver with ketchup? Certainly! Place a small amount of it on a paper towel and wipe the tarnished items with it. You can leave the ketchup on for 15 minutes, then wipe with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. To clean, for example, candlesticks, you can use a toothbrush instead of a cloth; it will help clean the product in hard-to-reach places.

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Vinegar or citric acid

If the silver is heavily soiled and blackened, special cleaning must be done. Organic acids - vinegar, citric acid or fresh lemon juice will help remove black spots and dirt:

Prepare a solution: add 1 pack of citric acid (juice of one lemon) or 100 ml of vinegar to 500 ml of water. Stir.
Place silver items in the acidified liquid.
Wait 1-2 hours and remove the silver.
Rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Such an aggressive composition is harmful to most stones.

Signs about blackening of silver

Silver has been part of human everyday life for so long that it could not help but acquire various signs. In the modern world, superstitions are treated with a great deal of skepticism, however, sometimes signs really shouldn’t be ignored. The main thing is to interpret them correctly.

For example, science has established that as certain diseases progress, the concentration of sulfur in a person’s sweat increases. Diseases of the kidneys, gall bladder, and liver especially contribute to this. It is to sulfur that silver items react by darkening. Based on the blackening of the jewelry, our ancestors concluded that the owner of the item was sick.

Blackening of silver has always been considered a bad sign. Sometimes such a reaction is even interpreted as an “evil mark” or damage to the owner of the product. This superstition is explained quite simply - since ancient times, silver was credited with the ability to protect against dark forces.

If the precious metal darkens, it means that it took the blow, thereby helping the owner avoid bad influence.

Blackened silver jewelry
Our ancestors also identified the “curse” itself by an object that suddenly changed color:

Ring - to the crown of celibacy;
Chain or earrings - evil eye;
Cross - curse;
Dishes - the owners’ house has been taken over by evil spirits;

In fact, the blackening of a precious metal can always be explained from a scientific point of view.

Lipstick

Lipstick is an unusual but effective way to clean silver. The lip pigment contains natural substances (lanolin, wax, castor oil) that will gently remove blackness and add shine to the product.

We clean silver with lipstick like this:

Apply lipstick to a cotton pad or paper napkin.
Using smooth movements, move over the silver.
Rub until the product is lightened. Add lipstick to the napkin from time to time.

Cleaning with lipstick is considered one of the most gentle options, but this method is used for smooth surfaces without stones or other inlays.

Pure Shining Silver: Pixabay

Why does silver tarnish?

The brightness of this precious and finicky metal is literally affected by almost everything, even air. Silver items can tarnish due to high humidity, contact with cosmetics or household detergents, and even some foods can contribute to tarnishing of silver, such as onions and egg yolks.

But this is not a problem when you know how to protect silver from tarnishing. A couple of our tips and recipes on how to make silver shine and your favorite silver items will always please the eye.

Glycerol

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

Place the silver in warm water. Let soak for 15–20 minutes, remove the product.
Apply glycerin to a cotton pad.
Gently rub the item from all sides.
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/

Tips for caring for silver

In order to preserve the shine and beautiful appearance of the product longer, you need to know how to care for silver and how to store it correctly:

In the drawer where the silver is stored, put a few pieces of chalk, it will help maintain the shine;
in order to save the product from oxidation, line the storage box with aluminum foil;
remove jewelry before taking a bath or washing dishes;
store silver items in a dry place;
It is desirable that the products in the box do not touch each other, so use separate microfiber bags;
Products that have semi-precious inserts are best stored in boxes away from sunlight and high temperatures;
Wipe the removed jewelry with a dry, soft cloth;
Clean the products at least once a year.

Timely care of your silver will help maintain the attractive appearance of the product. It won't require much effort and won't take much time. Caring for jewelry and interior items will allow their owners to enjoy the shine, beauty, and enjoy the sophistication and attractiveness of silver for as long as possible.

Cleaning Recommendations

When cleaning silver, follow simple rules and recommendations :

do not use aggressive cleaning agents or substances with abrasive particles;
Clean no more than once every 2-3 months to avoid damage to the surface;
follow safety rules - wear gloves and avoid inhaling toxic fumes;
After cleaning, wipe all items dry and rub them with a piece of wool or velvet.

To avoid tarnishing your silver, remove jewelry when handling chemicals, cooking, washing, or cleaning

Cleaning blackened silver at home

Blackened silver is rarely found in jewelry stores, but it is plentiful at flea markets and in grandma's chests. A touch of antiquity will give the product nobility, but a touch of dirt and dust - not so much. You can clean black silver with soda and salt and a cleaning agent, a regular school eraser, or ammonia with crushed chalk. There is no guarantee that the product will regain its original shine, but it will look much fresher and cleaner.

How to clean a silver rhodium ring

Silver products coated with a thin layer of rhodium receive additional protection from environmental influences, retain their shine for a long time, and do not change color. Rhodium is a hard metal, has high chemical resistance, and is not subject to oxidation.

So, how to clean a silver ring coated with a thin layer of rhodium? It should be borne in mind that dirt comes off from the rhodium surface much easier, since the coating tends to repel it.

Such jewelry can be cleaned by any means, but the use of ammonia, toothpastes, and hard toothbrushes is not allowed. Avoid strong friction when polishing.

Preventive measures

Regardless of the causes of plaque, there are recommendations that, if followed, will help keep products clean.

Hygiene procedures. Silver items should be removed when showering and bathing. And also when performing wet cleaning, washing dishes and laundry.
Holidays at sea. You should not wear jewelry when swimming in sea water. Especially in the Black Sea, as it has a high content of hydrogen sulfide.
Sports, heavy physical labor, illness. Do not allow metal to come into contact with sweat.
Makeup. Earrings, chains, rings, bracelets should be put on after absorbing skincare cosmetics and avoid their contact with decorative cosmetics.
Storage. Things made of this noble metal are kept in a dark place, preferably wrapped in foil.

The following tips for preventing plaque formation help extend the time between cleaning silver items, but do not eliminate this need forever. The metal will still darken, and it needs processing to make it shine.

Causes of darkening of silver

Interaction with air, which contains chemical compounds that react with silver. Most often these are compounds of nitrogen and sulfur.
Excessive humidity.
Contact with human skin and sweat, and in different people the process of metal oxidation can occur at different rates.
Interaction with household chemicals, cosmetics and some food products.
Low silver content in the alloy from which the jewelry is made. The less, the faster the product turns black.

Can you clean silver with vinegar?

Pour half a glass of vinegar into a container, and then add two tablespoons of soda. Place the jewelry in the solution and leave it for 2-3 hours. Then rinse them in the sink and dry them with a clean cloth.

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