It's hard not to love silver items. Refined, with a unique shine and suitable for any wardrobe - this is why silver jewelry chains, bracelets and rings are valued.
But, nevertheless, many of us neglect silver for one simple reason - blackening. Of course, it’s a shame when your favorite silver chain quickly darkens and loses its elegant shine. As a result, the jewelry is sent to a distant drawer and is retrieved only in moments of nostalgia about the past radiance and splendor. And, unfortunately, rarely does anyone wonder how to clean a silver chain.
But in vain.
Yes, silver is a wayward metal, and over the years this makes itself felt. Dust, dirt, impurities of cosmetics and even air - together this causes significant damage to the appearance of silver items. But it's not fatal. Caring for silver is no more difficult than washing dishes. You just need to carefully read our article and use the advice in practice.
Let's find out how to clean a silver chain at home simply and effectively.
Why did the silver chain turn dark?
There are several good reasons why silver turns black.
- One of these is air. Yes, metal oxidizes under the influence of air, or rather hydrogen sulfide, which is present in it. And the more it is contained in the air, the faster the silver will turn black. This is especially true for countries with a humid climate.
- Cosmetics and household chemicals. And this is also the reason for the darkening of silver items. Even the most natural cream that you apply to your body can react with silver and cause blackening.
- Human sweat is another cause of dark plaque. It's all about the salts contained in human sweat, which oxidize the metal.
- And another, no less compelling reason is improper storage. Place that is too damp, damp, or near other metals or substances.
It's good when you found out the reason for the darkening of a silver item. This will make it easier to eliminate it and prevent blackness from appearing in the future. If not, do not be upset; most often, all of the above reasons in combination affect the darkening of the metal. And in this case, you need to clearly understand how to clean silver from blackness at home.
Features when cleaning silver chains
Cleaning a silver chain yourself, using those products that everyone is sure to have in their home, will not be difficult. But there are a couple of nuances:
- You will need a brush with soft, fine bristles to clean hard-to-reach areas. Since the chain does not have a rigid structure and consists of many links and interlacings, it is impossible to do without a brush.
- If the silver chain has too ornate weaving or is inlaid with precious stones, then it is better to use special cleaning products or take it to a jeweler.
In other cases, we will try to clean the silver chain using home methods.
Method one: Clean silver using food foil and soda
You can clean jewelry and silver cutlery using food foil and baking soda, which cleans anything from metals to porcelain.
We prepare a warm soda solution, drop several strips of thin foil and the tarnished item into it, let it sit for no more than 20-25 minutes, take out the silver item and rinse thoroughly.
She looks like she just walked out of a jeweler's workshop! Some experts in home tricks advise washing silver not in a warm soda solution, but immersing it in boiling water; others consider this method too risky for “soft” metal.
But they all agree on one thing: it is impossible to clean items with pearls, precious and simply ornamental stones with soda; it is even more unacceptable to wipe silver with dry or slightly damp soda, as is done when cleaning mugs and earthenware sinks darkened by strong tea.
Dry soda with its abrasive characteristics is the worst enemy of precious and semi-precious stones and even decorative colored glass from which fashion jewelry is made.
How to quickly clean a silver chain using home methods
The choice of folk methods for cleaning silver is very extensive. We have selected several of the most effective means that can be used to clean a silver chain. But be careful when cleaning silver items at home. Observe the proportions and exposure time, and, of course, safety precautions.
Paste GOI
Professional product. It must be handled very carefully, otherwise there is a chance of doing more harm to the product than helping.
GOI paste comes in three grades - coarse, medium and fine. The thin type of GOI is divided into two more options. Everyone has their own “area of responsibility”.
- Coarse GOI paste helps remove severe dirt and minor scratches, but at the same time “erases” the surface, making it matte. It contains the highest amount of abrasive substances (75-85%).
- GOI medium paste - effectively removes blackness, restoring the product’s former shine. Abrasive substances contain about 70-80%.
- Thin paste GOI 1 and 2 types - the second type of thin paste slightly cleans off dark deposits and adds shine to jewelry. The first type of paste is used for polishing and obtaining a mirror shine.
When using GOI paste as a silver cleaner, carefully read the instructions and follow them. Do not forget about safety precautions, wear glasses and a mask when working with paste, as it tends to generate dust.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is an old method that has gained popularity among most housewives. An easy-to-follow and effective method of cleaning silver from blackness using toothpaste is an ideal solution for those who want to return the former shine to their favorite chain.
You will need some homogeneous toothpaste, that is, without abrasive particles, a soft toothbrush and a lint-free cloth. Apply a small amount of paste to the chain with a brush and massage thoroughly. Then rinse with water and wipe dry with a lint-free cloth.
Ammonia
If you can stand the smell of ammonia, try this method.
- 1 teaspoon of ammonia;
- 0.5 liters of plain water;
- Flannel napkin;
- 30 minutes time.
Prepare all this, mix the liquids and dip the silver item into the resulting solution. Leave for half an hour and then rinse well. Polish the items using a flannel cloth.
If pollution is not alarming because of its scale, then this method can be simplified. Just lightly wet a cloth in ammonia and rub it over the decoration. The result is a shiny silver jewelry.
Powdered chalk
Surprisingly, crushed chalk is one of the working ways to clean a silver chain. There will be only one task - to crush the chalk well. The smaller it is, the better.
- Mix the resulting powder with a small amount of water until a mushy substance forms.
- Spread the mixture of crushed chalk in a thick layer evenly over the silver chain.
- Take the chain in one hand and cover it with the other. Rub the chain with your hands.
- Wash off the chalk particles with strong water pressure.
If the dirt is heavy, try using a brush with thin bristles.
Olive oil
Olive oil effectively removes whitish deposits and light stains on jewelry. To achieve the best result, you need to take unrefined olive oil with its inherent greenish tint. It effectively removes accumulated dust and dirt.
Soak a soft cloth in olive oil and wipe the chain with it. Afterwards, rinse first in soapy water, then in running water. And only then wipe it well with a dry cloth.
Baking soda and lemon juice
Baking soda and lemon juice is an old-fashioned method for cleaning a silver chain. The recipe is simple.
- Make a “soda slurry.” To do this, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick substance.
- Rub the resulting paste onto the silver item.
- Rinse thoroughly under strong water pressure.
- Polish until shiny with a flannel cloth.
Lemon juice also helps with blackness and thick plaque. You simply need to dip the silver chain in lemon juice and leave for 15-20 minutes. Glitter and shine are guaranteed.
Vinegar
Another great method to return your favorite jewelry to its original appearance. The algorithm of actions is simple:
- Silver is placed in a solution of acetic acid (6-9%) for 60-90 minutes;
- Then rinse in running water;
- And then polished with flannel.
For greater effect, you can add baking soda to the vinegar (2-3 tablespoons per 0.5 cup of vinegar).
But watch the time carefully; you cannot leave jewelry in acidic solutions for more than 2 hours.
Foil
Also an effective way to remove black deposits from silver chains. You will need:
- Foil;
- Small container for boiling;
- Baking soda - 2 teaspoons.
Place foil on the bottom of the pan and place silver chains on top. Pour all this with soda solution (2 tbsp per 1 liter of water). After boiling for 5 minutes, leave the product in the water for another 10-15 minutes. Only then take it out, rinse and wipe with a cloth to add shine.
Potato
An old folk method for cleaning silver objects is using potatoes.
Finely grate the raw potatoes and mix them with a little water to form a thick paste. Place the silver there and leave for 15 minutes. Afterwards, wipe well with a flannel cloth. There is no need to rinse with water.
You can also use potato broth to clean blackened chains. Place foil on the bottom of a small saucepan and place a silver decoration on it. Pour potato broth over everything and boil for 10 minutes. Then rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth.
Salt
Saline solution is not suitable for all types of jewelry. For example, for products with stones it is better not to use it in order to avoid the appearance of a whitish coating. For simple, laconic chains, this method is quite suitable.
All you need to do is make a saline solution. For a glass of water 1 tbsp. l salt. An important clarification: first you need to boil the water and then add salt to it. Only after this, place the silver chain in the solution and leave until the water cools completely.
Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe with a cloth.
Washing powder
Washing powder also needs to be chosen carefully. Often modern powders contain many abrasive particles that can damage the surface of your favorite jewelry. And then no cleaning method will return it to its former appearance. Therefore, we never use dry washing powder.
At best, you can make a paste from the powder - add a little water, and apply it to the jewelry, gently massaging it with your fingers. Or you can prepare a powder solution - add a small amount of washing powder to warm water, stir until foam forms. Then put the silver in there and leave for 30-60 minutes. But this method is suitable for removing a light coating of blackness and is unlikely to cope with stubborn dirt.
Unusual ways
- Carbonated drinks (Cola, Pepsi) can clean gold jewelry from dirty deposits.
- Old lipstick can be useful as a cleaning agent. The chain segments are rubbed with it, followed by a cotton pad.
- Contact lens cleaner is another way to clean gold jewelry. It perfectly removes dirt and dark stains.
- If iodine solution gets on the gold chain, you can use toothpaste as a cleanser. You need to lightly rub it into the resulting stain.
- Hyposulfite has also proven itself well in the fight against iodine stains. A tablespoon of the substance is diluted in a glass of water. Then the chain is placed in the glass and kept in the solution for 30 minutes. They take out the item and run a toothbrush over it.
Thus, you can clean a gold chain yourself at home, using available products. There are many ways to clean gold jewelry; everyone can choose the most gentle and effective one for themselves.
Gold plated silver chains
With gold-plated chains, the cleaning methods will be similar, but not all will be the same. For example, ammonia and soap solution are good for removing dark plaque from gold-plated items. But using products with abrasive particles, even the smallest ones, is not recommended. The gold layer in such jewelry is very thin, and therefore it is very easy to damage it. You need to handle such products very carefully and regularly wash them in soapy water or wipe them with a cloth soaked in ammonia. It is also important to polish with a felt cloth or flannel.
Pollution prevention
It is recommended to remove gold jewelry, including chains, at night, during water procedures, visiting the pool, and physical activity. This way you minimize the impact of sweat, oil and cosmetics, which spoil the appearance of your jewelry.
It is better to store chains in special tablets with individual cells for each decoration. Keep them away from moisture, direct sunlight, and extremely high or low temperatures. And for a short time you can hang the chain on a special tree hanger: this way it will not get lost or get mixed up with other jewelry.
Take care of your favorite jewelry regularly, and it will not need radical and time-consuming cleaning methods!
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Where to store and how to protect it from blackening
No method will be effective if you continue to store your silver jewelry incorrectly.
- Firstly, we always remove silver chains when playing sports and cleaning the house, as well as when going to the sauna or swimming pool.
- Secondly, we apply creams and body lotion to ourselves only after removing the chain from our neck.
- Thirdly, we store it in a dry, dark place, separate from medications and food. You can put foil on the bottom of the box and silver jewelry on it. Or place jewelry in flannel bags.
- And lastly, do not forget about regularly washing silver chains, rings and earrings with soapy water. Carry out this procedure at least once every 2-3 months and your jewelry will always delight you with shine and shine.
Tips for caring for neck jewelry when worn regularly
Recommendations that will help increase the period of use of the gold chain:
- Do not shower or bathe with jewelry;
- Body cosmetics should be applied before putting on the chain;
- You can’t play sports without removing gold;
- It is better to refrain from visiting a bathhouse or sauna with jewelry;
- if you plan to wear a chain, it is better to choose a more suitable outfit - with a neckline or a minimum length of pile.
