How to clean silver at home?

Silver has a delectable and refreshing shine that adds elegance to cutlery and decorations. It is surrounded by an aura of mystery, attributing to this metal mystical properties. Very often, silverware is inherited, thus emphasizing the special status of the family. However, with prolonged use, this metal begins to turn black, and products from it must be cleaned. Most owners prefer to do this at home, without going to specialized workshops.

Silverware looks very impressive and stylish, but this beautiful metal has the disadvantage of a tendency to the appearance of a dark patina. This plaque is a gray or black film formed on the surface of the metal due to its oxidation.

This process is completely natural and cannot be indicative of the effect on the bearer of decoration of any dark forces, as was commonly believed in the old days. Oxidation occurs as a result of active influence of such factors as:

1. ultra-violet rays;
2. moisture and air having a high content of hydrogen sulfide;
3. sulfur, which is one of the components of human sweat.

Accordingly, silver jewelry begins to darken in the following situations:

1. With a long stay of their owner in the sun, especially at sea, because in this case all the negative factors of influence merge together.
2. When a person engages in such activities that are accompanied by significant perspiration; it can be hard physical work or regular exercise.
3. With regular use of medicines, and therefore the percentage of sulfur in the composition of sweat increases.
4. When interacting with certain types of cosmetics, containing sulfur or hydrogen sulfide.

Plaque formed on the surface of silver is a chemical element called sulfur sulfide, which is not very resistant and can be removed even at home. therefore you can independently clean up to shine almost any silverFrom jewelry to cutlery.

Among the silver products are the following varieties:

1. Items made of sterling silver. This metal has the highest 925 standard; ornaments made of it delight in a dazzlingly shining white color and have remarkable strength.
2. Jewelery from blackened silver. These products can have any sample, while they are united by the presence of an exquisite “mobile” finish, which can be especially rich in engraving places.
3. Decorations with oxidation, having a brownish tint and resembling antiques, darkened from time to time and this is especially attractive.
4. Colored silver jewelery, also called matte.They are covered with a special coloring composition called enamel, so they look very impressive and very popular.
5. Gold-plated silverware, which are covered with a thin film of natural gold.

In addition, there are some varieties of white metal that are mistakenly attributed to silver:

1. Drip "silver", which is a chemical element iron sulfide, or pyrite. Externally, this metal is very similar to sterling silver.
2. Marcasite or radiant pyrites.
3. Melchior.

For cleaning products from substitute metals, which are jewelry, not all products recommended for silver may be suitable, therefore, before carrying out this procedure, you need to make sure which metal is used in the decoration.

One of the most common ways is to clean silver products with ammonia solution. Such a solution is also called ammonia or ammonia. You can buy it at any pharmacy and use it at home according to one of the following recipes:

Recipe # 1, which has the strongest effect on pollution:

1. 1 teaspoon of ammonia mixed with 100 ml of water and a small amount of any liquid soap or dishwashing detergent;
2. the ornament is placed in the prepared solution and is in it until the desired lightening effect is obtained;
3. then the decoration is washed under running cold water and dried.

Recipe number 2, which requires the use of physical effort:

1. ammonia, water and white toothpaste (without impregnations) are mixed in equal volumes;
2. the product requiring cleaning is placed in this solution for 30 minutes;
3. wet product is processed with a toothbrush (with soft bristles) and wiped with a flannel napkin.

Since the ammonia mixture has a very sharp and unpleasant smell, these methods of cleaning should not be used by people who are prone to allergies. But even a completely healthy person to carry out this procedure should be in a well-ventilated area. To reduce the smell, you can put a container with the composition on the balcony or loggia by opening the windows for the duration of the exposure.

Using such methods, you can launder cutlery, glasses and silver jewelry of any sample that does not have stones.

Black plaque on silver jewelry can be removed by applying a 9% solution of food vinegar, which is sold in grocery stores. It copes well with its task due to the content of acid, which has a concentration sufficient to affect the sulfur sulfide film, but not capable of damaging such a soft metal as silver.

If on silver products there are small impurities, then the easiest way is to wipe them off with a soft cloth moistened in a solution of vinegar. In this way, without much difficulty, you can literally wipe the tablespoons of silver that have lost their luster in just five minutes. Also in a similar way you can clean the product with precious stones, without endangering them.

For cleansing more serious darkening the following options are suitable:

Method number 1, designed to remove pollutants moderate:

1. products to be cleaned are laid in plastic dishes;
2. then a 9% solution of food vinegar is poured in an amount sufficient to fully cover the items to be cleaned;
3. for moderate darkness, the exposure time is 20-30 minutes;
4. more severe contaminations require exposure for one to two hours.
5. then the product is washed under running water and polished with a soft cloth.

Method number 2, helping to cope with the old black on silver products:

1. Pour 200 ml of table vinegar into an enamel pan and heat until the first bubbles appear;
2. immerse jewelry or objects to be cleaned in the solution;
3. then remove the pan from the heat and leave to act for 5-10 minutes;
4. Carefully not to burn yourself, remove the cleaned products with tweezers, rinse them under running water and leave to dry on a soft napkin.

With regard to blackened or oxidized silver, these methods should not be used, since the vinegar will remove the decorative coating in the same way as the dirt.

It would seem that the use of a tool such as hydrogen peroxide for cleaning silver should not cause any special doubts, because everyone knows how effectively this substance is able to dissolve any dirt. However, when we are talking about silver, it is necessary to take into account its composition in order to assess what kind of chemical reaction will occur when exposed to this aggressive liquid and metal.

The use of hydrogen peroxide for the purification of silver will be successful only if the alloy contains no such components which can cause under the influence of peroxide additional enhanced oxidation.

There are a lot of complaints on the Internet reporting a similar effect of peroxide on silver jewelry. It is mentioned that in order to “rescue” the affected product, the owner had to contact the jewelry workshop, since at home they could not cope with such a reaction.

Since it is impossible to say absolutely exactly what kind of impurities are included in the composition of a particular silver alloy, then, at least, you should not risk using a substance such as hydrogen peroxide to clean it.

A very good means of cleansing soft surfaces, which include the surface of silver, is tooth powder. Our grandmothers knew this very well, who successfully cleared tea silver sets and vases with it. The gentle effect of the smallest particles of tooth powder not only cleans plaque that forms on the metal surface, but also produces a polishing effect, giving it a radiant shine.

Nowadays, tooth powder is quite difficult to find on sale, but it can be replaced with toothpaste. For the purpose of cleaning darkened silver, you need to purchase a white paste that does not have any additional patches or pigmented additives.

The options for cleaning with toothpaste are as follows.

Method number 1, which is well suited for cleaning kitchen utensils, clocks or silver figurines, however, it will require physical effort:

1. toothpaste is applied to the surface of a toothbrush with a soft bristle, cotton swab or microfiber cloth;
2. careful circular movements carry out polishing products, starting with the most polluted places;
3. if necessary, add the paste, ensuring complete removal of plaque;
4. the cleaned product is washed under running water, and then wipe dry.

Method number 2. This method is suitable only for products with minor contamination:

1. dilute the tube of toothpaste with water to a liquid slurry state;
2. soaked in the composition of the jewelry and leave them for an hour and a half for maximum impact;
3. remove products and rub them with a soft cloth, carrying out additional cleaning;
4. wash off the remnants of the paste with running water, and then dry the jewelry, rubbing them from time to time.

Method number 3, by which with the help of simultaneous exposure to ammonia and toothpaste manages to clear a rather dark silver:

1. toothpaste, water and ammonia are mixed in the same proportions;
2. in the resulting composition, silver products are soaked for half an hour;
3. remove products and polish them with a soft cloth;
4. rinse products in large quantities of water, dried, rubbing and turning.

Some consider the use of toothpaste the best way to clean silver from black, although this can not agree. In any case, it is clear that this method can not lead to damage to the product, because it is soft and gentle.

Citric acid is also called food additive E330, it is easy to buy at any grocery store. This tool can also be used to clean silverware. Citric acid has good cleansing properties and is commonly used for descaling. Equally successfully, it affects black plaque, which appears on silver and is sulfur sulfide.

The process of its removal is a sample of a mild chemical reaction, which requires a complete flow. carefully comply with all mandatory conditions.

There are several ways to clean silver items with citric acid.

Method number 1, which will help to successfully cope with the most serious pollution:

1. dilute 50 g of citric acid in 250 ml of water, pour the resulting composition into a container for a water bath;
2. the products to be cleaned are placed in the prepared solution;
3. then put a small piece of copper wire in the same solution;
4. heat the composition in a water bath to a boil, then boil for 30 minutes;
5. carefully remove the silver products from the hot solution;
6. wash the silver under running water and let it dry, wiping it with a soft cloth from time to time (it is best if it is microfiber).

Method number 2, which is used for highly darkened silver:

1. citric acid diluted in water at a ratio of 100 g per 500 ml of water;
2. put food foil on the bottom of the enamel pan;
3. Place silver on the folded foil and cover it with a little bit of metal on top of the foil;
4. on a slow fire bring the composition to a boil, reduce the heat, continuing to boil until complete purification of silver;
5. in the process of boiling in water, either small yellow or black flakes appear, or the foil with which the silver comes in contact will begin to turn black. This means that the purification proceeds normally and the sulfur sulfide passes from silver to liquid or to the surface of aluminum;
6. to extract products from the hot solution is better to use tongs. It is necessary to get very carefully, not allowing flakes floating in solution to settle on silver.

Method number 3, which is the simplest and is suitable only for cleaning lightly contaminated silver objects:

1. pour 1.5 liters of water into the pot;
2. add 100 g of citric acid powder;
3. bring the resulting solution to a boil, then turn off;
4. immerse silver objects in a hot solution and leave for half an hour;
5. remove, rinse with water and wipe dry.

Very quickly, effectively and without special tricks you can clear darkened silverware with the help of such a simple tool as table salt. The advantage of using this substance is the fact that salt can be found in the kitchen of each housewife. Among the cleaning methods are found as very simple, which are suitable in order to remove a small raid from the jewelry, and more complex, with the help of which you can even bring fossil spoons and forks back to life. When using salt You should definitely ask what exactly the quality of the product.

Method number 1, which can be recommended for cleaning not too darkened jewelry:

1. Spread a soft cloth, it is better if it is flannel or microfiber;
2. we spread on the surface of the fabric products that require cleaning, and plentifully pour them with table salt;
3. then we wrap the edges of the fabric and stack the resulting bundle at the bottom of the plastic container;
4. pour water into the container, completely covering the bundle;
5. exposure time is from 1 to 2 hours;
6. remove products, rinse in running water and wipe.

Method number 2 is suitable for moderate pollution:

1. we put food foil into a plastic container on which we place silver jewelry;
2. abundantly pour in decorations with salt mixed in equal proportions with soda;
3. then close the top with the edges of the foil;
4. pour hot water;
5. leave for 1 hour for the composition to work;
6. remove silver jewelry, wash them under running water and polish with a soft cloth to shine.

Method number 3 is associated with the use of heat treatment, This is one of the most effective ways to "resuscitate" blackened silver:

1. on the table lay out a piece of foil, on which we lay out decorations to be cleaned;
2. from above we pour the products with salt, trying to cover them “with a slide”, then close the foil;
3. pour a soap solution prepared from 1 teaspoon of any soap rubbed on a small grater (it is best to take a laundry soap) and 200 ml of water in a saucepan;
4. neatly place the foil in the saucepan;
5. bring the contents of the pan to a boil, reduce the heat and leave to boil for 15 minutes;
6. carefully remove the product, lay out on a saucer and leave to cool completely;
7. Wash the cooled jewelry under running water, then wipe with a soft cloth, drying and simultaneously polishing.

There is a common belief that silver jewelry can be quickly and easily cleaned with a drink such as Coca-Cola. It really is Coca-Cola products placed in the solution really brighten.

Accordingly, miracles cannot be expected from such a cleaning method, but it can be suitable for removing a slight gray bloom from the silver surface. This can be done in the following way:

1. in the plastic or metal container lay out the decoration, which is poured with a solution of Coca-Cola;
2. leave for 1 hour;
3. if during this time the Coca-Cola solution begins to change color and becomes lighter, this means that the cleaning process is successful;
4. in the case when the color of the solution does not change, it is worth replacing it and pouring the product from another can;
5. after an hour, remove the product from the solution, rinse it under running water and wipe it.

In some cases, silver not only darkens, but also acquires a greenish taint. This usually happens with products made from 875 alloy, which have a high content of copper in the composition, which gives a green tint during oxidation. Such a raid can also be cleaned at home, but for this you have to use a special chemical - Trilon B.

It can be purchased either in the numismatic department or in the stores of companies specializing in the maintenance of heating systems. It is worth 100 g of Trilon B from 200 to 400 rubles. To work with this substance must be in gloves. Do not use ironware, since Trilon B enters into a chemical reaction with iron. To clear the silver from the green plaque, you need:

1. prepare a 10% solution of trilon B. To obtain a similar concentration, you must take 10 g of the substance per 100 ml of warm water;
2. soak the product for 15 minutes, it is desirable to clean each item separately in a fresh solution;
3. to remove the product, use a non-metallic object, such as plastic tongs;
4. then with a soft toothbrush, wipe the product, removing greens from it, then wash it in running water and dry it;
5. to give silver brightness and brilliance, it is desirable to wipe it with a napkin moistened with liquid ammonia.

In addition to the above methods of removing plaque from silver, which can be called classic and time-tested, you can find quite a lot of very unusual methods of cleaning this metal.

For example:

1. with the help of raw potatoes, for which it is necessary to rub 1 potato on a fine grater and soak the product for 5 minutes in the resulting slurry;
2. with the help of potato broth remaining after cooking, in which the decoration is dipped and it is “boiled” for 15-20 minutes;
3. using a foil in which the decoration is placed, spread on the bottom of a ceramic container and pour hot potato broth, leaving for 20 minutes;
4. with the help of milk, in which the jewelry is “boiled” for 5-7 minutes, then removed, washed and wiped dry;
5. with the help of egg yolk, which add 1 tablespoon of "Whiteness" (a product containing chlorine). This composition is applied to the decoration with a toothbrush and wipe, removing plaque.

Silverware can be cleaned with the help of professional tools that can be purchased at each jewelry store or in the economic departments of supermarkets. They are available in the form of pastes, aerosols and liquid products.

These are drugs such as:

1. Silver Care Solution "Aladdin"which successfully helps to clean the jewelry within a minute (more than two minutes to keep the product in this tool is not recommended due to the very concentrated composition). The cost of 50 ml is 63 rubles.
2. Silver Cleaner "Font" also copes well with the dark touch, costs 57 rubles for a jar of 50 ml.
3. Sunlight Jewelry Cleaner, which the manufacturer calls safe and effective for all types of jewelry, buyers rate it quite averagely; the cost of a bottle of 100 ml ranges from 250 rubles to 500 rubles.
4. "Universal Stone", which is positioned as a means for cleaning the whole house, including silver jewelry, is well appreciated by users; the cost of 800 grams is 1,800 rubles.
5. Leuchtturmwhich, according to manufacturers, is intended to clean old contaminants, including green scurf, costs 400 rubles per 250 ml. After removing the dirt, this preparation creates a protective film on the surface of the product.

Cleaning jewelry is required in those cases when it comes to old silver. In the same situations, when the owner acquires a new product in the store, it is easier to prevent the growth of pollution and to carry out preventive measures. This is especially true for products inlaid with precious stones or decorated with enamel or "niello".

For cleaning silver jewelery with “niello”, enamel or oxidized silver, which cannot be processed by any of the above methods, apply olive oil:

1. 100% olive oil is applied on a soft cloth, for example, on a microfiber cloth;
2. carefully wipe the decoration, trying not to press especially in places containing blackening;
3. wash the decoration with hot water without detergent and wipe dry.

Quite often, silver is covered with a thin layer of gilding, which gives the metal an additional charm, but does not save it from darkening. Moreover, gold-plated silver requires particularly careful handling when cleaning, since gilding can peel off during processing with strong compounds or scratches appear on it.

In order to prevent significant darkening of gilded silver, which will be very easy to remove without problems, do not run this process. Care should be taken at the first "symptoms".

In the case when the soap solution does not cope, you can apply ammonia or table 9% vinegar, but in very small concentrations:

1. diluted in 200 ml of water with 1 tablespoon of ammonia or edible vinegar;
2. we drop the gilded jewelry in the solution and leave for 30 minutes;
3. remove the product and wipe it with a soft cloth, if necessary, treating it in darkened places with a cotton swab;
4. then rinse in running water and wipe dry.

Gold plated silver can also be cleaned with alcohol-containing liquids. It can be eau de toilette, vodka or brandy. The darkened decoration should be wiped with a soft cloth moistened in an alcohol solution, then rinsed with clean water and wiped dry with a flannel napkin or chamois, which will give the gilding additional shine.

You can also clear gold plated silver in beer:

1. to improve the effect, it is worthwhile to pre-degrease the surface with alcohol, removing excess pollution;
2. fill the product with beer and leave for 1 hour;
3. remove the jewelry, wash it under running water and wipe it dry with suede.

Gems give silver products a special charm, sophistication and nobility. In the case when the silver jewelry has an insert with precious stones, it requires very careful care. When cleaning such products require special gentle ways. Pearls, emeralds, rubies or corals should never be immersed in hot solutions or pour boiling water. Moreover, it is impossible to “cook” jewelry with stones, since they lose their color when exposed to hot temperatures.

When cleaning gems, it is important to understand that they have different densities, and therefore require different methods of exposure.

Aquamarines, emeralds and sapphires inserted into silver can be cleaned by the following method:

1. we make soap solution from laundry detergent or shampoo, in which we place jewelry;
2. leave for 2 hours to soften the raid;
3. wipe with a soft toothbrush;
4. wash and dry.

For malachite, turquoise, moonstone, opal and other stones that are considered gems, the use of brushing is contraindicated, washing powder is also worth replacing with a milder baby soap:

1. we rub a bar of baby soap on a grater;
2. 1 tablespoon of soap chips stir until completely dissolved with 400 ml of water;
3. put silver jewelry with gems into the soap solution and leave it for 2 hours;
4. remove, wash and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

For those silver jewelery, which have inserts of organic minerals, which include coral, pearls and amber, The best cleaning method is to proactively remove only an emerging plaque:

1. for this product you need to wash it with warm water with the addition of a small amount of soap;
2. rinsing is carried out under running water;
3. rubbing of stones and their polishing are strictly not allowed;
4. to clean the polluted pearls, you can use the processing of potato starch.

As with gold, silver also has rules for wearing and storing. They are very simple, but if they are followed, then products from this magic metal will long please the owners with their radiance and purity.

These recommendations are simple:

• You should avoid wearing silver jewelry in places with high humidity: on the beach, in the pool, in the sauna.
• You should never sleep in silver jewelry.
• They should be worn when the make-up is applied and perfume is sprayed in order to avoid contact with the chemical components of cosmetics.
• After removing the jewelry, wipe them with a soft microfiber cloth, getting rid of the remnants of sweat and sebum.
• Keep them away from medication.

• Never throw silver jewelry, as it is a very soft metal, on which scratches from blows quickly appear, which can only be removed in a jewelry workshop.
• Do not put all the decorations in one place. Store rings and earrings in separate boxes. Storage chains are best hanged.
• In the case when any silver jewelry is rarely worn, it is better to wrap it in foil to store it, thereby excluding access to air.
• After the procedure of cleaning silver jewelry it is undesirable to immediately start using them. Over the course of several days, a protective layer will form on the surface of the metal that is not in contact with the skin, which will help preserve the appearance for a longer time.
• It is advisable to place several pieces of chalk in the jewelry storage box, which will absorb excess moisture, preventing the metal from darkening.

How to clean the silver at home, see the following video.