Rules and methods for cleaning silver

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Silver is a noble and rather popular metal, from which various souvenirs, dishes, and jewelry are made. The ions of this metal have disinfectant properties, and it is believed that cutlery from it has a positive effect on the body.

But the property of silver is its darkening and tarnishing over time, so the appearance of products becomes unsightly. In the article, we will consider how silver is cleaned, the rules and features of this procedure.

Why does metal darken

There are several reasons for the darkening of silver products. The main one is the presence of sulfur, in the reaction with which a black coating is formed on silver - silver sulfide.

Let's take a closer look at them:

1. Scientists have reliably established that moisture contributes to the darkening of silver - dampness in the room causes the formation of hydrogen sulfide.
2. Harms silver and sweat of a person wearing jewelry made of this metal (chains, bracelets, crosses).
3. Oxidation reaction can be caused by cosmetic particles falling on a silver item.
4. Fade may be caused by somefood and household products - onions, egg yolk, s alt, rubber, gas, cleaners and detergents.
5. Blackening can also be caused by improper storage and poor quality of the metal.
6. Contact with alkali and mercury also causes darkening of silverware.

What determines the rate of oxidation

The speed and degree of plaque formation on silver largely depends on the composition. Since pure silver is a soft, easily deformable metal, an alloy of silver and copper is used for the production of jewelry, which increases the hardness of the composition.

Consider the following:

1. Alloys containing a large percentage of copper - eight hundredth and eight hundred and thirtieth samples - have a yellowish tint. They are used, as a rule, for the production of cutlery and the manufacture of coins. This silver oxidizes faster than high purity metal, so it needs regular maintenance.
2. 925 silver with a small percentage of copper is the highest quality material, so jewelry is made from it.

It is not recommended to clean silver in the dishwasher - cutlery will stain, blacken and become unusable when exposed to chemicals.

The rate of a chemical reaction depends on the composition of sweaty masses. If the secret contains a large amount of sulfur, then the process is faster, if it is nitrogen, then it is slower.

Choose cleaning method

There are several methods for cleaning silver at home, and the choice of a specific method is made taking into account:

• product samples;
• alloy composition;
• presence of additional coatings, such as gilding or enamel;
• presence of precious stones;
• degrees of contamination of the product.

It should also be borne in mind that inexpensive silver items can be cleaned at home, and it is better to trust high-quality items or filigree jewelry to specialists.

In addition to home methods, which will be discussed later in the article, you can use special silver cleaning products of popular brands: Silbo, Talisman, Silver Quick, Aladdin. They can be in the form of pastes, solutions, sprays, wet wipes. You can use them strictly in accordance with the instructions.

Silver cleaning rules

In order not to spoil the product during the cleaning process, some conditions must be observed.

They are as follows:

1. Household and interior items can be treated with more aggressive means, and jewelry, on the contrary, sparing.
2. Silver is a ductile and soft metal, so coarse textiles, hard-bristled brushes and metal scrapers should not be used during processing.

Silver cleaning at home is as follows:

1. From the surface of the product remove the remnants of grease, dirt, dust, cosmetics with a warmsoap solution and a soft cloth for even areas and a toothbrush with soft bristles (preferably natural) for embossed details.
2. After pre-cleaning, the product must be rinsed in clean water and dried.
3. Then the accessory is polished with a piece of soft cloth (wool, flannel, suede).
4. Do not use the product for three days after processing, as a protective film forms on it during this time.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that silver cleaning must be carried out systematically, without accumulating strong contamination. Do not use harsh abrasives, especially for high grade metal. Radiated products are cleaned exclusively with soft cloths, as such a surface is easily damaged.

Using tooth powder and paste

A quick way to clean silver at home (chains, earrings, rings and other jewelry is not treated with this method due to its roughness) is cleaning with toothpaste or powder.

This is done as follows:

1. The powder is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.
2. The paste will need white color, without colored impurities and obvious abrasive particles, special preparation of the substance is not required.
3. The mass is applied to a piece of soft textile and carefully rubbed into the surface of the product.
4. At this stage, you can use a soft bristle toothbrush.
5. Movements should be made in one direction, without pressing hard, trying to move in a straight linelines so as not to damage the surface.
6. Complete cleaning according to the general rules.

Cleaning with baking soda

One of the available methods of bringing contaminated products to their original form is cleaning silver with soda. This tool is in every home, so it will not be difficult to use it.

The chain of simple steps is as follows:

• Add enough water to a small amount of soda to make a thick slurry.
• Spread the substance evenly over the surface of the product in a thin layer using a plastic spatula.
• Leave the item like this on a dry cloth.
• After ten minutes, the soda layer is carefully removed, and the surface is lightly rubbed with the remnants of the dissolved abrasive and a soft cloth.
• Finish cleaning with a thorough rinse and polish with textiles.

To restore the original appearance of products, silver cleaning with soda and foil is also used. To do this, boil a quarter liter of water and add twenty grams of soda and chopped foil to it. Silver jewelry is placed in a hot solution for fifteen minutes, then removed, rinsed, dried and polished.

Cleaning with acids

Citric acid solution is an effective method for cleaning silver. Chains, earrings and other delicate jewelry work well with this method.

The steps for removing contaminants are as follows:

• dissolve one hundred grams of acid powder in a containercold water in the amount of half a liter;
• put a piece of copper wire into the resulting solution;
• put the container in a water bath and wait for it to boil;
• as soon as the liquid begins to boil, dip silver items into it for fifteen minutes;
• remove processed items, rinse in clean water, dry and polish.

If the product is lightly soiled, you can wipe it with a cloth soaked in 6% acetic acid, then rinse.

Strongly darkened coins or other simple items are cleaned with formic or sulfuric acid. To do this, they are placed in a five percent solution of these agents and boiled for several minutes. Finish cleaning silver by standard methods. Protect your hands with gloves when using acids.

Use ammonia

For a quick treatment of slightly darkened objects, you can use ammonia. To do this, they moisten a soft cloth and wipe silver items.

Heavily soiled products are cleaned in a different way. To do this, they are placed in a ten percent solution of ammonia for ten minutes, after which they are washed with water.

You can also use the following silver cleaning solution:

• mix in a container water (five parts), tooth powder (one part) and ammonia (two parts);
• moisten a piece of cloth in this solution, gently rub the silver and leave the items on a dry cloth for fifteen minutes;
• rinse well in clean water,dry, polish.

Another way is to mix hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in equal parts and lower the silver into this solution for ten minutes. Finish cleaning as described above.

You can also use this method: mix ammonia with chalk or tooth powder to a paste and treat silver items with a solution.

Other ways

There are several other methods available to give your silver items a well-groomed look.

Let's take a closer look:

1. S alt. In a hot solution of 0.5 liters of water and twenty-five grams of s alt, add ten grams of cream of tartar and lower silver into it for twenty minutes.
2. Heat half a liter of water in an aluminum pan and add ten grams of s alt or soda to it (you can also use cleaning powder for dishes). Boil silver in this solution for half an hour.
3. Pour any drink containing phosphoric acid (Cola, Sprite, 7-Up or other) into a container, dip silver into it and boil for seven minutes.
4. Boil silver in a solution of water and washing powder (arbitrary proportion) for about ten minutes.
5. If the product is not openwork, you can spray glass cleaner on it and polish it with a regular stationery eraser.
6. Cleaning silver with foil - line the inner walls of the container with this material, pour water and add soda or s alt. Put into the product solution and boil for ten minutes.

Cleaning coated or inlaid silverware

Jewelry,covered with gold or inlaid with precious stones, require careful treatment.

In case of light contamination, cologne or ordinary alcohol is used - with these liquids, products are cleaned with a cotton swab (for recesses) or a disc.

Another gentle cleaning method is a solution of laundry soap in warm water with a few drops of ammonia or vinegar. Products are soaked in such a liquid for half an hour, then washed well in running water, dried and polished with a suede patch.

An original way is to clean silver items with lipstick - they are smeared with a cosmetic product, and then rubbed with flannel.

You can also soak silver for three hours in water with chopped raw potatoes.

Proper storage of silver

In order for silver items to last a long time, they need proper care and storage:

• keep products in separate cases;
• there should be no medicines, household chemicals, rubber nearby;
• before showering, applying makeup, exercising or cleaning jewelry must be removed;
• products need systematic cleaning with a dry soft cloth;
• if the jewelry will not be used for a long time, then it is stored wrapped in foil.

Proper care and storage of silver jewelry and household items will help keep their original appearance longer.