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Folk remedy for cleaning silver. Water from boiling eggs. New - well forgotten old

Has your favorite brooch or earrings turned black? Don’t know how to restore such products to their former shine and beauty? It's OK! So that you can easily cope with this problem, let’s look at how to clean silver from blackness at home.

First, it is important to understand why the silver in the house turns black. This can happen due to a number of factors:

  • High humidity.
  • In case of constant contact of the product with detergents or cosmetic products, for example, hand cream.
  • With constant exposure of the metal to human sweat. For this reason, crosses, pendants, chains, rings and bracelets most often turn black.

Since such factors can occur in any home, every housewife needs to know how to properly clean silver. Fortunately, today this can be done not only with the help of special formulations, but also with ordinary home remedies.

How to prepare silver for cleaning

To make it easier for you to get rid of blackness on silverware, wash a ring or a pectoral cross from dark stains, the product must be properly prepared for cleaning. How to do this effectively? You should do the following:

  1. First, you need to clean the item from any fat that has stuck to it. To do this, it is enough to wash it in ordinary soapy water. It is better to clean silver jewelry with a soft toothbrush - this way you can remove dirt even from exquisite jewelry with curves and stones.
  2. After this, the item should be rinsed in cool water and be sure to wipe dry with a paper napkin.
  3. If necessary, this cleaning can be repeated.

Advice:

If you don’t have soap on hand, you can dilute shampoo or regular dishwashing detergent in water instead. They will not spoil the material, but will help you remove fat quickly and efficiently.

Immediately after this, you can begin processing the products with improvised means. Let's look at them in more detail.

Method 1 - ammonia

How to clean noble white metal with minimal effort? With vinegar! This product is best used if you want to treat a silver piece without stakes. It should be used like this:

  1. First, you should prepare a solution of ammonia. For this, take 10 ml of ammonia and half a glass of cool water. These components need to be mixed until smooth and poured into a shallow dish, for example, a ceramic bowl.
  2. Next, you will need to place jewelry silver in this solution. It is recommended to leave it in this solution for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. After this, you should remove the product from the solution and clean it of any remaining blackness using a dry paper napkin.

Important:

if you need to tidy up a very dirty product, you can soak it in clean ammonia. Please note: you can leave the product in this product only for 10 minutes, no more.

There are also recipes for this remedy, in which ammonia is mixed with peroxide. They are quite effective, but are not suitable for all types of metal presented. In order to make sure that they can be used in your case, it is recommended to prepare such a solution, take a small amount of it on cotton wool and apply it to the back of the product. If the silver itself becomes lighter, you can use it for cleaning.

Method 2 - tooth powder

How to quickly clean jewelry or silverware if it is not too dark? You can do this using powder, as well as an ordinary fluffy rag. You will need to deal with these things like this:

  1. First, you should wet a cloth and put a little powder on it.
  2. With this cloth you need to gently wipe the product until the blackness comes off completely.
  3. After this, the item must be rinsed in cold water and dried with a paper towel.

Video: cleaning silver with tooth powder:

Important:

During such cleaning, do not press hard on the product. The fact is that silver itself is a rather soft metal, which you can scratch if you work with it carelessly.

Method 3 - soda

How to effectively clean silver items if you don’t have any special products on hand? You can use regular baking soda for this purpose. Act in in this case you will need this:

  1. First you need to take a spoonful of soda and dilute it with water so that you get a thick paste.
  2. You will need to scoop this slurry onto a cloth and wipe the product with the product until the black coating is gone.
  3. After this, the product will need to be rinsed and wiped with a paper napkin.

Video: how to clean silver with soda?

You can also use baking soda as another method for cleaning jewelry. To do this you will need:

  • 250 ml water;
  • 20 grams of soda.

You will need to dissolve baking soda in water and then put the resulting solution on fire. When the liquid boils, you will need to put the item you want to clean into it along with the foil. All this should be left on the fire for 15 minutes, after which you will need to drain the solution and wipe the silver with a cloth. After this, your product will look like new.

Method 4 - citric acid

Silverware can also be cleaned using ordinary citric acid. To do this you will need:

  • half a liter of water;
  • 100 grams of citric acid;
  • fragment of copper wire.

You will need to dilute the acid with water, place the resulting solution in a water bath, place a piece of copper in a container with the acid solution and wait until the liquid boils. After this, you will need to put the tarnished silver into the solution and leave it there for 15 minutes. After this, the silver item will need to be removed from the solution, rinsed under running water, and then polished with a cloth.

Video: cleaning silver with citric acid:

Method 5 - boiling

If your rings, earrings or cutlery cannot be cleaned with citric acid, ammonia or soda, you can use the universal bleaching method. For it you will need:

  • half a liter of water;
  • 10 grams of salt;
  • 10 grams of soda;
  • 10 ml dishwashing detergent.

You will need to mix water with soda, salt and detergent, put in the item you want to clean, put the resulting solution in a saucepan on the fire and bring to a boil. This tool will allow you to get rid of blackness on any thing without any effort on your part. All you have to do is wipe it with a cloth to remove traces of dirt.

Method 6 - olive oil

What is the best way to clean expensive jewelry when you are afraid of damaging it? It is recommended to use regular olive oil for this purpose. It is not difficult to use it in practice: you need to take a cloth, put a small amount of oil on it and wipe the product well with it - it will remove the blackness very quickly. After this, you only need to rinse the item in cool water and be sure to wipe it dry.

Important:

Use this product on jewelry that has a slight coating on it. It may not cope with severe stains, and you will have to look for another, more effective recipe for this purpose.

Method 7 - table vinegar

How to bleach a product if there are no suitable detergents at hand? In this case, use vinegar. To remove black deposits from a product, all you need to do is take a small container, pour half a glass of vinegar into it and put the decoration or cutlery in it. They will need to be left in a container with vinegar for an hour or two so that the product completely removes the black coating. After this, you just need to rinse the item with water and wipe it.

Advice:

If your chain or ring is not very dirty, you can simply wipe it with a cloth and vinegar. But this method will not cope with old plaque.

Method 8 - lipstick

Earrings without inserts, as well as rings, can be easily and quickly cleaned using ordinary lipstick. To do this, you will need to take a piece of soft cloth, generously apply lipstick on it and wipe the product you need with it. After this, the jewelry will only need to be rinsed in running water.

Important:

You can use this method even if you are working with fairly fragile things. The fact is that lipstick contains very small abrasive components that will not leave scratches on the metal.

Method 9 - ready-made remedies

If you are afraid of damaging products with cubic zirconia or pearls when cleaning with household products, you can use special ready-made mixtures for this purpose. They can be purchased at jewelry stores along with special wipes for cleaning jewelry. It is enough to simply treat the product with these products, then gently wipe it, and it will look no worse than the day it was purchased.

Important:

If you still cannot figure out how to clean silver at home, it is recommended to take it to a workshop. This is what you should do with those things that have three-dimensional patterns or numerous stones. The specialists in the workshop will easily deal with any stains on such items and return them to you in perfect condition on the same day.

How to clean items with stones

How to clean silver with stones? To work with such samples, it is recommended to use ready-made mixtures, which can be purchased in jewelry departments: they remove any dirt well and will not damage your jewelry.

If you want to use only home remedies for such a thing, you can prepare a solution with soap shavings. For it you will need:

  • 250 ml water;
  • 20 grams of soap shavings;
  • a few drops of ammonia.

You will need to dilute the soap in water, add ammonia, put the mixture on the fire, bring to a boil and turn off (it is forbidden to boil such a mixture). After this, you will need to take a toothbrush, put this product on it and thoroughly clean the darkened item with cubic zirconia. After this, you will need to take an ear stick, also moisten it in a similar solution and wipe the areas around the stones with it.

Important:

You should not try to clean items with pearls, amber or corals yourself - these stones are very easy to spoil. Almost all home remedies are not suitable for working with them. If you need to tidy up rings or earrings with such inserts, immediately take them to the workshop.

Cleaning blackened silver

Blackened jewelry silver requires a special approach to cleaning. If you are going to clean it yourself, you can use one of the following recipes:

  • Soap solution with added soda. You will need to add a small amount of soap or mild shampoo to the water, pour a little soda into the mixture and put the thing you want to clean into it. The item should be left in the solution for 20 minutes, after which it will need to be taken out and gently wiped with a microfiber cloth.
  • Potato. To use this method, you need to take a few potatoes, peel them, and then place them in a small bowl of water. In the same bowl you will need to place the decoration that you want to clean in this way. The product should be kept in this water for up to 20 minutes, after which it will be enough to wipe it with a cloth.
  • A regular eraser. This product is best used when you have already removed the main layer of dirt from a product that has darkened, using one of the solutions described above. This will remove any remaining dirt. It’s quite simple to use: you just need to wipe the dark stains with an eraser, and they will instantly disappear from the decoration or cutlery.

Important:

Under no circumstances should jewelry made of blackened silver be cleaned with powders, soda, or citric acid - all these products can damage the coating of the product, irreparably ruining it. This must also be taken into account if you want to clean a gold-plated silver ring, chain or earrings.

How to handle radiated metal

Radiant silver can only be cleaned using special jewelry mixtures. Often, to give them a spectacular look, it is enough to simply rinse the earrings or ring in warm water, and then wipe dry with a special napkin.

Important:

In no case should you use toothbrushes or powders to care for such a thing. All these abrasives will simply destroy the thin sparkling coating. In the future, to restore an item damaged by such cleaning, you will have to contact jewelers.

How to prevent silver from turning black

It is impossible to eliminate all the factors that cause silver to turn black. But you can significantly reduce their influence on a product made of this noble metal. To do this you should:

  • Always wipe rings, earrings, and cutlery immediately after washing. If you often leave them wet, don't be surprised if they turn black over time.
  • Choose a special box to store such valuable items. Always put such things there after use.
  • Remove jewelry before washing your hair, applying cream and other procedures. Rings should also always be removed before cleaning the house or washing dishes.
  • Use foil for long-term storage of such items. Only she can completely protect them from the negative effects of the environment.

I recently found a stunning piece of silver jewelry in my grandmother’s jewelry box. Unfortunately, it has turned black with time and is covered with a layer of dust. Without thinking twice, I figured out how to clean silver earrings with stones. I brought my luxury item back to life, now I’ll tell you how to proceed.

Preparation for the procedure

Cleaning silver with stones at home involves a number of methods to restore the shine and newness of the product.


So we might need:

  • soft sponge;
  • Toothbrush;
  • dry rag;
  • eraser;
  • salt;
  • soda;
  • toothpaste or powder;
  • ammonia alcohol;
  • lemon acid;
  • starch;
  • soap or shampoo.

General rules for cleaning silver jewelry


  1. Tools. All cleaning tools chosen should not be hard or sharp.
  2. Temperature changes. Before cleaning your silver jewelry, soak it in warm water. This will help the stones avoid deformation from sudden temperature changes.
  3. Detergents. Remove light stains with shampoo, liquid soap or detergent.
  4. Water. Limit the amount of moisture.
  1. Scrap of fabric. You can achieve shine by polishing silver with stones with a piece of suede or flannel.

Cleaning silver jewelry: 7 ways

Silver is not as capricious as the stones attached to it. I know seven ways to rid precious metal of blackness and fat with your own hands.

Image Instructions

Method 1. Ammonia

Ammonia will remove light stains and remove grease:

  1. Dilute a teaspoon of alcohol in 200 ml of warm water.
  2. Soak the decoration for 30 minutes.
  3. Wipe with a damp sponge, then with a dry cloth.

Method 2. Soda

A great way to get rid of old dirt:

  1. Mix a slurry of baking soda and a couple drops of water.
  2. Using your fingers or an old toothbrush, apply the mixture to the product and leave for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Rinse off the composition with warm water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Method 3. Citric acid
  1. Dissolve 100 g of citric acid in a 500 ml jar.
  2. Place the jar in a steam bath and place the decoration in the mixture.
  3. After 30 minutes, rinse off the composition and dry the item.

Method 4. Chalk

Cleaning silver with chalk is considered one of the most effective:

  1. Mix chalk powder with water to form a thick porridge.
  2. Treat the stains with the resulting paste using a cotton swab.

Method 5. Salt

For cleaning you will need a container that does not allow light to pass through. To be safe, wrap the container with foil:

  1. Place the decoration at the bottom of the container.
  2. Cover with a thin layer of salt.
  3. Add some detergent.
  4. Pour 100 ml of boiling water and leave for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Rinse off the mixture and dry the item.

Method 6. Toothpaste

If your silver ring just needs an update, this method is for you:

  1. Apply a little product to the product.
  2. Use your fingers or a brush to scrub away any blackness and grease.
  3. Rinse off the mixture and dry the jewelry.

Method 7. Eraser

Light stains in jewelry with a simple structure can be easily removed using an eraser.

Cleaning jewelry with organic inserts: 4 ways

Stones require special treatment, especially those with an organic composition. Such jewelry should never come into contact with any drugs.

The porous structure will easily absorb chemicals, after which it will lose its natural beauty.

However, organic stones can be removed from dirt:

Image Recommendations

Method 1. For amber

Silver and amber jewelry should be cleaned with a mild soap solution:

  1. Soak the product for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Use a sponge to remove dirt without applying any pressure.
  3. Rinse off the soap with warm water.

Do not dry the jewelry on a radiator or under ultraviolet light.

Method 2. For coral

Jewelry with a coral stone cannot be washed at all:

  1. Wipe the stone and ring with a dry velvet cloth.
  2. Limit the stone from contact with chemicals, and treat the metal in any suitable way.

Method 3. For ivory

Porous bone material can be soaked for 3-5 minutes in a weak solution of soapy water. Then:

  1. Rinse off the solution with running water.
  2. Let the decoration dry on its own.

Method 4. For pearls

Silver items with pearls are less capricious than others. They can be cleaned with starch:

  1. Mix starch and water in a 1:1 ratio.
  2. Using a toothbrush, apply the mixture to the jewelry and brush it.
  3. Rinse off the composition with running water.
  4. Let the decoration dry on its own.

Cleaning jewelry with mineral inserts: 3 ways

Minerals are more resilient than organic matter, but they are no less capricious. Mechanical effects are generally contraindicated for gems.

To clean you will have to apply maximum diligence and accuracy - jewelry work, you know:

Image Recommendations

Method 1. For emerald, sapphire, aquamarine

Silver with stones with a density higher than 6 can be processed using washing powder or tooth powder:

  1. Mix water and powder in a 1:1 ratio.
  2. Using a toothbrush, apply the mixture to the product and rub gently.
  3. Rinse off the composition with warm water.

Method 2. For ruby, garnet, topaz

These delicate stones should not be subjected to any stress:

  1. Wash your jewelry in cool water.
  2. Wipe off dirt with a sponge, then with a soft cloth.

In particularly difficult cases, you can treat the stones with a drop of glycerin.

Method 3. For turquoise, opal, malachite, moonstone

For jewelry with matte-colored stones with light stains, simply soak them in soapy water for 10 minutes, then rinse off the composition.

Old and large stains can be treated with alcohol:

  1. Using a cotton swab, moisten the dirt with warm water.
  2. Using the dry end of a stick, apply a little ammonia to the jewelry.
  3. Rinse off the composition with cool water.
  4. Wipe the product with a dry soft cloth.

Removing stains on silver using household chemicals: 5 products

For those who don’t like to follow “grandmother’s instructions,” scientists have developed a number of cleaning products. I present a rating of the best household chemicals according to those who have tested them:

Image Product/price for 2017

Aladdin

Price - 230 rubles

Flurin

Price - 350 rubles

Sano Silver

Price - 500 rubles

Adamas

Price - 250 rubles

Town Talk

Price - 220 rubles

Summary

As you can see, cleaning silver with stones is not difficult at all. Choose the method that suits you and save the product. If you have another effective remedy in your arsenal, describe it in the comments - I’ll be glad to read it.

Are you wondering why silver items tarnish? You can get acquainted with the expert’s opinion from the video in this article.

Knowing how to clean silver from blackness will be useful to everyone. After all, there are silver things in every home. These are jewelry, clothing items, dishes, souvenirs, and interior items. Over time, silver products darken and become coated, regardless of the conditions in which they are kept and how they are used. To give things their former shine, choose from a variety of recipes the option that suits you best.

1

Silver is a metal that oxidizes easily. The reaction is caused by the slightest drops of sweat, fat, cosmetics and even just water that fall on the product. Both the chemical composition of the air and the humidity of the environment play a role.

The health of the wearer influences how silver jewelry looks. Any disease changes the composition of the blood. This affects the skin, disrupting the acid-base balance. If jewelry that has maintained its natural appearance for a long time suddenly quickly turns black, you should check your health.

If jewelry that has maintained its natural appearance for a long time suddenly turns black, you should check your health.

Detergents are another serious enemy of silver. When we wash or clean something, jewelry must be removed so as not to spoil it.

When going to the pool, to the river, and especially to the sea with its salty water, avoid wearing silver items.

2

It is almost impossible to protect silver items from tarnishing. Sooner or later you will have to clean them. You can entrust this task to professionals. Jewelry workshops and some stores provide this service. They provide silver owners with guarantees that nothing bad will happen to the items accepted for cleaning. Entrusting this matter to professionals means saving your time. This is especially true if you need to clean a lot of things of complex shape, with relief and inlay. The main disadvantage of professional cleaning is the high price.

Many owners of silver items put their things in order themselves using improvised means.

The next option to restore good appearance to silver items is to buy a special product. Such products are available in almost every jewelry store. This can be cream, liquid, wet wipes. Each variety comes with instructions for use. The downside may be lack of effectiveness, especially if you choose an inexpensive product.

Many owners of silver items put their things in order themselves, having first learned how to clean silver from blackness using improvised means.

3

When starting to process silver products, remember that it is a soft metal. Any abrasive substances or harsh cleaning tools can damage it, including scratches and dents. Therefore, you should use only liquid, paste and cream products. Take a soft fabric. If you must use a brush, purchase one with very pliable bristles. A toddler toothbrush is great for this purpose.

Any silver item after being in an acidic environment must be rinsed very well with clean running water.

If the product has inserts, cleaning must be done with double caution. Such items should not be soaked in detergent for a long time. Aggressive solutions, such as vinegar, should be avoided altogether.

After being in an acidic environment, any silver product must be rinsed very well with clean running water.

4

Dark plaque on silver does not always require the use of strong agents. First, try washing the item using regular detergents.

  1. Soap solution. To create it, it is best to use dishwashing detergent that breaks down fats well. But you can get by with regular soap. Place the dirty item in soapy water and leave for a while. If the item being cleaned is without inlays, you can soak it for up to 2 hours. If there are inserts, limit yourself to a 15-minute “swim.” After this, rinse the product with clean water and wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth.
  2. Soda slurry. Pour some baking soda into a small bowl. Gradually add water and stir until you get the consistency of thick sour cream. The approximate ratio is 3 parts powder to 1 part water. Gently spread the resulting mixture onto the product. Do not rub (!), as undissolved soda particles can scratch the silver surface. Leave the smeared item for 30 minutes, then rinse in warm water and wipe dry.
  3. Soda solution. The recommended proportion for creating such a solution is 1 tbsp. l. with a heap of powder per 1 glass of hot water. Stir well. Leave the product in the resulting liquid for 15-30 minutes, then rinse and wipe.
  4. Tooth powder has good cleansing properties. If you can get it, wet a soft brush, dip it in the powder, and gently scrub the item. If you don't have a suitable brush, use a soft cloth. This is less convenient, but safe for the silver surface. Sometimes it is advised to replace the powder with a simple toothpaste (without dyes or additives), but it works worse.

Wet a soft brush, dip it in tooth powder, and gently brush the product.

Procedures with simple detergents may be enough to restore the silver product to its former shine. If this does not happen, move on to stronger substances.

5

You can clean silver from blackness at home using products such as ammonia (ammonia solution), vinegar, and citric acid. These substances create a rather aggressive environment, and silver items cannot be left in it for a long time. However, if the remedies from the first list did not help, you will have to take a risk.

For heavily soiled silver, simply place it in ammonia for a few minutes.

  1. Ammonia. This substance has a pungent, unpleasant odor. It is better to work with it in the fresh air or at least with an open window. First, try simply soaking a soft cloth in ammonia and wiping the silver item. If that doesn't work, dilute 1 tsp. a solution of ammonia in 0.5 cups of water. Place the product in the resulting liquid, cover with a lid and wait 15 minutes. Then rinse the item and dry it. Simply place heavily soiled silver in ammonia for a few minutes. Keep an eye on what is happening. As soon as the blackness goes away, immediately take the product out and rinse. The maximum time for which silver can be placed in pure ammonia is 10 minutes.
  2. Vinegar. We are not talking about vinegar essence, but about vinegar with a strength of 6-9%. It doesn't matter what it's made of. To save money, use the simplest table vinegar, but you can use apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and any other vinegar as long as it doesn’t contain dyes. As in the case of ammonia, you should start by wiping the silver item with a cloth soaked in the product. For a more effective effect, pour vinegar into the silver and leave for 30-90 minutes, observing what happens. Then wash the product and dry it.
  3. Lemon acid. You need to prepare a solution by taking 100 g of citric acid and 500 ml of water. The rest of the steps are the same as with vinegar.

To get rid of blackness deposited on silver, you can use any acid. But act very carefully, starting with the shortest possible exposure time and continuously monitoring the process in order to stop it in time and not dissolve the metal itself along with the dirt. To stop the effects of acid, the item must be thoroughly washed with running water and soap.

6 Unusual cleaners

  1. Edible vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, flaxseed, etc.) have good cleansing properties. You need to oil a soft cloth, wipe the silver thoroughly, and then wash it with hot water and soap. This method is only suitable for smooth products without inserts, as it will be difficult to remove the oil from any uneven surfaces.
  2. If you boil potatoes, do not discard the remaining water. Cool and place the silver in it for a couple of hours. The active ingredient in this case will be starch accumulated in the broth. The same effect can be achieved by placing contaminated products in water with potato peelings.
  3. Try rubbing the blackened silver surface with an eraser. In some cases this works great.
  4. Unusual silver cleaners include curdled milk and Coca-Cola (they act due to the acids they contain), as well as lipstick (contains fruit acids and oils).

Whatever method you choose to clean your silver at home, proceed with caution, especially when using the product for the first time. And remember that it is better not to wait until the product is covered with a thick, difficult to wash off layer of blackness, but to regularly carry out preventive cleaning.

Since ancient times, silver has been used to make jewelry, dishes and coins. Mystical properties were attributed to this metal. It was believed that products made from it were able to protect a person from evil spirits and diseases. Therefore, silver amulets and household items were in every home. This noble metal has many positive properties:

    Thermal conductivity - it’s not for nothing that the habit of putting a silver spoon in tea is still preserved so that it cools down faster.

    Ability to kill germs. Scientists have proven that silver actually has disinfecting properties, and when people put silver objects in water, they did so not out of prejudice, but in order to purify it.

    Wearing silver jewelry helps with many diseases: improves vision, treats hypertension and diabetes, improves immunity and normalizes the functioning of internal organs. This has been confirmed by scientists, and silver ions are added to many medicines.

    Another property of this metal is that it cleanses a person’s energy, helps to think more clearly, increases intuition and promotes spiritual development. But scientists are skeptical about this.

Anyone who has used silver objects knows that this metal has one negative quality, which often darkens the joy of owning such lovely things. This means that silver darkens over time and spots and a greenish or yellowish coating appear on it. Previously, this was explained by mystical reasons, but now it is known that this metal easily reacts with various substances in the air or on the human body.

What can cause silver to darken?

    from high air humidity;

    body silver darkens due to human illness or the characteristics of his sweat;

Various medications and chemicals that come into contact with silver items can cause it to darken;

    under the influence of cosmetics that a person uses;

    silver darkens from contact with onions, egg yolks, salt, rubber and household gas.

But silver products are still popular, because they are very easy to clean and do not lose their properties if they are properly cared for.

Cleaning silver items is not too difficult

Methods for cleaning silver

Recently, special products for cleaning silver items have become available on the market. But they are not available to everyone; in addition, professionals believe that they contain aggressive chemicals that are harmful to human health and can corrode silver items if they are not washed off well. Even before, when they didn’t exist, people cleaned silverware and jewelry, and there are many effective folk methods for this. You can choose any one that you like best and that takes into account the characteristics of your silver items. It is recommended to hold the product in soapy water and rinse under running water before using any method. So, what can you use to clean silver?

  1. The most famous and common method is brushing with toothpaste or tooth powder. Dampen a soft cloth and squeeze some white paste onto it. If you use powder, first dilute it to a pasty state with water, or better yet, a solution of ammonia. Then use this cloth to gently rub the product with straight-line movements. But keep in mind that this is a rather rough method, and along with the blackness you can remove quite a few particles of the silver itself. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it for cleaning jewelry and valuables.

  1. Very often they also use soda for this. You can simply dilute baking soda and water in your palm or on a soft cloth and rub your silver items. But there are also more gentle ways. For example, it helps if you immerse silver in a soda solution for several hours, and then rinse with water and polish with a soft cloth. But it’s most effective if you use an aluminum pan for this or put a piece of foil in the solution. Bring a liter of water to a boil and dissolve two tablespoons of soda in it. Soak your silver items for 10-15 minutes and they will shine like new. Instead of soda, you can use salt or mix them together.

Silver items rubbed with soda shine brighter

    Silver items can be easily cleaned of blackness using ammonia. Lightly contaminated items can be cleaned immediately; you just need to dip them into its solution - two tablespoons per liter of water. You can keep the silver in it for 10-15 minutes. Or you need to wipe the products with a cloth soaked in this solution. More persistent plaque can be removed by mixing ammonia with water and adding a little washing powder. Rinse the items well in this solution and rinse thoroughly with water. Ammonia can also be mixed with hydrogen peroxide in equal parts and put silver in there for 15 minutes. Small objects, for example, a silver ring, can be lightly rubbed with a mixture of chalk and ammonia.

    Silver is often cleaned with acid. It is best to take a 6% vinegar solution or a 10% citric acid solution and rub the products with a cloth soaked in it. Or dip them in lemon juice for a few minutes. Make sure to rinse your silver items thoroughly. Coins and other heavily darkened objects can be boiled in a five percent solution of sulfuric or formic acid. In recent years, an alternative remedy has appeared - Coca-Cola and some other carbonated drinks containing phosphoric acid.

    People often peeled silver with potatoes. The easiest way is to keep the product for several hours in water where chopped raw potatoes lie. You can rub it to enhance the effect. It is also good to use the water in which the potatoes were boiled, especially if you add a piece of foil to it.

    Less well-known methods for cleaning not very dirty products are boiling them with garlic peels, washing them with a hot decoction of eggshells and salt, or mechanical cleaning with a regular office eraser. Sometimes lipstick is used instead of an eraser. Silver items can also be easily cleaned from ordinary stains by washing with a soapy solution, you can use washing powder or Fairy.

All these methods are quite aggressive and are only suitable for cleaning simple items without stones, gilding or engraving. And for such items there are special cleaning methods. In such cases, abrasive materials, strong temperature changes and aggressive liquids should not be used.

How to clean silver items with stones

Such items should be washed regularly in soapy water and avoid heavy contamination. They need to be cleaned very carefully. Amber, pearls and coral are especially sensitive.

Take care of your stone jewelry regularly

    It is best to have them cleaned by a specialist or cleaned with special products.

    But if this is not possible, prepare a solution of laundry soap and a few drops of ammonia and, after moistening a soft cloth in it, gently wipe the products. The cracks and space around the stone can be cleaned with a cotton swab, after dipping it in the same solution.

    Wrap silver jewelry with pearls in thin linen cloth, pour a spoonful of salt there, and rinse in warm water.

    Regular dirt and dust around the stones can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in cologne or alcohol.

How to clean gold-plated silver items

Such jewelry should not be cleaned, but soaked for half an hour in a cleaning solution. And then wipe with a soft cloth or cotton swab. What solutions are used for gilding silver?

    soap solution;

    a tablespoon of ammonia per glass of water;

    a tablespoon of vinegar per glass of water;

After soaking, rinse the product in running water, dry and rub with a soft cloth, or even better, suede. Instead of soaking, you can wipe the silver with cotton swabs soaked in alcohol or cologne, or with a cloth on which a little lipstick has been applied. Such items need to be cleaned regularly, because old dirt will be very difficult to clean from them.

How to clean 925 sterling silver

Such products should only be cleaned with special products or in a workshop. Any solutions, and especially abrasive substances, can cause irreparable harm to these valuable things.

How to clean silver alloys

Cutlery, figurines and other household items are often made from an alloy of silver with nickel and copper, or with the addition of zinc or iron. Such alloys are called cupronickel or nickel silver. To clean, they are placed in a zinc container filled with salted water for 3-4 hours.

There are conditions for cleaning alloys

How to clean rhodium plated silver items

Sometimes jewelry is plated with rhodium. It is quite chemically resistant, but wears off over time. Do not use any abrasive materials or brushes to clean such products, only a soft cloth.

    Silver items need to be cleaned regularly; fresh stains are easier to clean.

    There is so-called filigree silver, it is specially blackened, this gives the products a special charm. They don't need to be cleaned too much.

    It is not recommended to use hard brushes and abrasive materials, as they can damage the top layer of the product. Clean them only with a soft cloth. Toothbrushes are especially harmful, as their plastic bristles scratch soft metal. In rare cases, if the product has crevices or a carved pattern, you can use a soft natural bristle brush.

    After using aluminum for cleaning, be sure to polish the product well with a soft cloth to prevent aluminum sulfate from forming.

    To make silver items shine, wipe them with a cloth soaked in lemon juice and rinse with hot water.

    Don't get carried away with silver cleaners. They contain strong chemicals and can damage your jewelry if used incorrectly. Therefore, follow the instructions carefully. Better yet, purchase special wipes for cleaning silver.

    After using any cleaning method, rinse the silver item thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

    If the silver is very dirty, blackened, or the item is very valuable to you, it is better not to risk it and have it cleaned by a specialist.

    To avoid having to frequently clean your favorite silver items, you need to store them properly and follow special rules when using them.

How to store and care for silver

In order for silver items to darken less, you need to store and use them correctly. In this case, you will still have to clean them, but less often. Particular care should be taken when handling jewelry:

    store them in a closed box in a dry place, and if you do not use any decoration for a long time, it is better to wrap it in a flannel cloth;

    before storing the product for long-term storage, wash it in warm water and soap and dry thoroughly;

    do not wear silver jewelry when visiting a bathhouse or swimming pool;

    also remove them when applying cosmetics and receiving cosmetic procedures;

    wash jewelry after sports and heavy meals;

    When doing housework, remove rings and bracelets so that they do not come into contact with household chemicals.

Store silver items properly

Other silver items also require special conditions. Spoons, glasses, trays or salt shakers may become darkened by contact with certain foods, household gas or improper care. They should be washed immediately after use. It is best to store silver items in boxes or boxes lined with flannel, or wrapped in parchment. Never place them in such a way that they come into contact with plastic or rubber. Before storage, all silver items must be thoroughly washed and dried. Take special care to wash off salt from salt shakers. Never use silver trays for dishes with eggs and mayonnaise, otherwise they will quickly tarnish.

If you follow these rules, then your silver items will delight you with their brilliance and beauty for a long time.

Almost everyone has silver jewelry or silverware, but as a result of humidity and prolonged contact with the skin, silver can blacken and tarnish. To ensure that your silver items always look perfect, it is useful to know how to clean silver at home.

To prevent silver items from tarnishing very quickly, it is useful to know the reasons for the darkening of silver:

  • Moisture. When exposed to humid air or in contact with damp skin, silver items will quickly darken.
  • Impact of cosmetics, especially containing sulfur. When silver comes into contact with sulfur, compounds are quickly formed, which are black in color.
  • Features of the human body. Different people have different composition of sweat, different speed of tarnishing of silver items.

The best way to clean silver at home is to use a special product that can be purchased in the hardware department of a supermarket or jewelry store. But in the absence of such a remedy, ordinary folk remedies are used to clean silver items.

  • Cleaning silver with ammonia. There are many folk ways of cleaning silver using improvised means. The use of ammonia is considered one of the most common methods. Take 10% ammonia in a small amount and soak the silver item in it for 15 minutes. Then rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth. You can also do without soaking; in this case, you need to take a piece of woolen cloth, moisten it in ammonia and wipe the product. This method is not suitable for cleaning silver jewelry with pearls, as ammonia can affect the color of the pearl.

    Another way: prepare a solution - add 1 tsp to a glass of water. ammonia, a small amount of liquid soap and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. The solution must be thoroughly mixed and the silver jewelry soaked in it for 15 minutes. Soaking time depends on the level of contamination, so you need to check the product periodically. After cleaning, the silver is washed with water and wiped with a microfiber cloth.

  • Cleaning silver with citric acid. The method of cleaning silver with citric acid is simple and affordable; it is found in almost every home. Pour half a liter of water into an enamel container, add a bag (100 g) of citric acid, stir and place the container in a water bath. A small piece of copper wire is thrown into the water, or even better, put a silver ring or earrings on the wire and lower them into the solution. Boil for 15-30 minutes, periodically checking the degree of cleaning of the product. After boiling, wash it in plain water.
  • Cleaning silver with baking soda. Another simple and affordable home method for cleaning silver jewelry. To prepare the solution, you need half a liter of water and 2 tbsp. l. baking soda. All this needs to be mixed well and put the container with the solution on the fire. After the water boils, place a small piece of ordinary food foil in a container and lower the silver item. In a couple of minutes it will shine. You can use baking soda to prepare another special solution for cleaning silver. Pour 1 liter of water into an aluminum bowl, add 1 tbsp. l. dishwashing detergent, 1 tbsp. l. salt, 1 tbsp. l. soda Boil over low heat for about 20-30 minutes, visually checking the cleaning result.
  • Cleaning silver using potato broth and foil. Silver jewelry that is not too darkened can be cleaned at home in this simple way. After cooking, pour the potato broth into a container and place a piece of foil about 15x15 cm in size. Dip the product in this broth for five minutes.
  • Cleaning silver with vinegar. Table vinegar will help deal with black stains on silver items. Take 9% vinegar and heat it a little in a container. Place the product there, and check the result after 15 minutes. If the dirt has been removed during this time, rinse the product with water and wipe with a cotton cloth. If you are not satisfied with the cleaning result, leave the product in the vinegar for a few more minutes.
  • Mechanical cleaning of silver using toothpaste. With any mechanical cleaning, silver is gradually worn away, so jewelry with a beautiful delicate pattern is not cleaned this way. But toothpaste is always at hand, which is convenient. Take an old toothbrush, apply toothpaste to the silver item and clean it until it shines.

If you have silver items that you rarely use, store them separately in a dry place, wrapped in foil. This way, the products will delight you with their impeccable appearance for a long time and will not oxidize.