How to clean a silver chain?

Silver accessories create a sophisticated and effective look. However, silver is rather moody and tarnishes easily, becoming dark and unattractive. Silver chains are no exception. Metal, exposed to ultraviolet radiation, water and sweat, begins to oxidize, which leads to the formation of a grayish or black film. But even this can be done by folk methods that will help return the decoration to its original appearance.

Why does silver darken?

Oxidation is one of the most important causes of metal darkening. Human sweat contains sulfur, interacting with which the chain darkens. Darkening also occurs upon contact with makeup, skin care products, water and even air (due to the compounds it contains that react with silver, mainly S and N).

Depending on the state of health or physiological characteristics of a person, the oxidation process can proceed more slowly or, conversely, quickly. For example, for one owner, the chain will turn black in the second or third week of wearing, while for another it will remain clean for several years.

Metal does not tolerate household chemicals, as well as contact with some food products. Long exposure to high humidity environments is harmful. The change begins with the formation of a thin grayish film, which subsequently disappears, and the metal becomes dark in color.

An interesting fact is that the lower the silver content in the item, the more it is susceptible to blackening.

Pure silver is never used to make jewelry, as the metal is very malleable and easily deformed. Typically, 925 or 875 samples are used. The lower the value, the more the jewelry is prone to damage and oxidation.

How to clean at home?

Silver chains, rings, bracelets, earrings or a cross can be cleaned with your own hands using improvised means or you can give them to specialists. The second option is more reliable, but requires financial costs. In addition, not all localities have special workshops where they could carry out cleaning.

For cleaning any metal from the formed plaque, there are various chemical cleaning agents (powders, pastes, sprays) and wipes. When choosing them, you should carefully read the label, since, for example, products intended for gold are absolutely not suitable for silver.

When buying jewelry with them, you can often purchase special care products. Their main advantage is that they do not just clean the jewelry, but they create a kind of protective film that will prevent oxidation.

Also no less effective folk methods based on what can always be found in every home. Methods for cleaning with folk remedies can be divided into:

1. dry;
2. wet;
3. mechanical.

Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is only suitable for cleaning pure silver jewelry, without any impurities or dusty metal. Otherwise, peroxide enters into a chemical reaction with impurities, from which stubborn stains are formed and one cannot do without contacting specialists.

Before starting the manipulation, it is necessary to conduct a kind of check. To do this, we process an inconspicuous place with a cotton pad dipped in peroxide. If the area remains intact and not damaged, then the entire product can be processed.

Peroxide is able to cleanse the product, give the jewelry a natural silver shine.

Several recipes based on hydrogen peroxide:

1. you can quickly clean the chain at home in this way. Pour 3% peroxide into a small container. In it, we soak the chain, keep it exactly de as long as the darkening becomes light. After we take it out, rinse it under running water and dry it;
2. prepare a solution of 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide and wine alcohol. We put the product in the resulting cleaning solution. In the event that bracelets or chains are processed, the soaking time is no more than 20 minutes. Rings or massive earrings take 60 minutes. All the time, the product must be monitored so that in case of an unexpected metal reaction, quickly remove it. After the allotted time, rinse under warm running water and polish with a piece of flannel cloth;
3. prepare a mixture of equal shares of ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and liquid soap, preferably for children. Stir the mixture in 250 ml of water. We soak for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry with a cloth, woolen or flannel napkin.

In vinegar

Vinegar 9% contains a high concentration of acid, which can wash away plaque from silver items. To do this, you need to do the following: take a rag and moisten it in vinegar. It is important to work exclusively with nitrile gloves. to prevent chemical burns to the skin of your hands. And then we just wipe the product. However, this method is suitable for light dirt, gray deposits or slight chain darkening.

Method two:

1. take a small container and pour vinegar into it;
2. we keep it for 2 hours, then we take it out and rinse it under running water.

In no case should you use vinegar essence, since the acid concentration in it is much higher than in 9% vinegar. Of course, it will remove darkening, but most likely it will severely damage the product and it will be unsuitable for wearing.

Citric acid

Citric acid (popularly known as lemon) has excellent cleansing properties and is able to deal with dirt such as limescale or darkening of silverware.

There are several ways to wash a chain from blackness.

Method one:

1. take a 500 ml glass container. Pour 250 ml of water and mix 50 g of lemon in it;
2. we put the decoration and with it a copper wire;
3. we build a water bath: pour water into a saucepan of an appropriate size, install a container in it and put it on fire;
4. boil for 30 minutes.

Method two:

1. take a saucepan and lay a piece of foil on the bottom;
2. mix lemon in water in a ratio of 1: 5 and pour into a saucepan;
3. put a silver chain on the bottom;
4. put on fire and boil until the product becomes light.

Fresh lemon juice can also cope well with the dullness and darkening of the chain. To do this, squeeze the juice from one lemon into a glass or any other container and lower the decoration into it. We soak for 15 minutes, then rinse under running water and wipe thoroughly.

Salt

When cleaning, they use both ordinary table salt and finer sea salt.

Method one:

1. prepare a working solution from ½ glass of warm water + 50 ml of vinegar 9% + 30 g of fine sea salt;
2. immerse the chain and hold for about 40 minutes. If the darkening persists, you can use a soft-bristled brush;
3. rinse under warm running water and dry thoroughly.

Method two:

1. we take a container, fill it with water by about a quarter;
2. stir table salt in water, about 150-200 g. The solution should be highly concentrated;
3. put the container on fire and bring to a boil;
4. turn off the heat and immerse the blackened product in boiling water. We keep until the water cools down;
5. then remove the product and rinse in clean water. Wipe and polish thoroughly.

Method three:

1. prepare a saline solution (table salt), put a decoration in it;
2. we stand all night (about 12 hours), then rinse thoroughly under warm running water and polish.

With foil

You can clean the silver with food foil. This method is one of the most widespread and often used. This is because the foil is made of aluminum, which, in turn, interacting with the sulfur compound of the film, is able to destroy it and remove black plaque.

Method one:

1. we take a small saucepan and steal food foil on the bottom;
2. pour water, 3-4 cm is enough;
3. mix 60 g of baking soda or citric acid in water;
4. put the chain and put the container on the fire;
5. wait for the water to boil and stand for 5 minutes. The decoration should lighten, if this has not happened, the boiling time can be increased.

Method two:

1. take food foil and cut a piece from it;
2. we spread it on the table and put the chain in the middle. Sprinkle 60 g of table salt on top and fill with a little water. Or you can mix salt and water to a gruel state and apply it to the product;
3. gently fold the foil like an envelope and put it in an empty saucepan;
4. prepare a solution of 250 ml of water and shavings of laundry soap 5 g and pour into a saucepan, covering a foil envelope;
5. put the container on the fire, wait for the solution to boil. Then we remove from heat and soak in boiling water for 15 minutes.

Important: both methods affect the chain with high temperatures, so you need to remember that first you need to take the chain out of the water with a fork and put it on a plate. Then wait until it has completely cooled down and rinse under running water. At the end, we carefully wipe the chain with a flannel or woolen rag, as if polishing it. This will add a polish to the item.

It is also effective to combine food foil with baking soda or salt (abrasive). However, when applying this method, you should remember the following:

1. salt and soda can leave small scratches on the surface of smooth products;
2. the method is great for jewelry with pictures or small decorative details;
3. if a precious stone or fionite is inlaid in the jewelry, then it cannot be cleaned in this way. However, pearls tolerate this procedure very well.

The effectiveness of the method is due to the reaction of soda and foil with the formation of a small electrical charge, which destroys the pollution. The method is suitable for cleaning both jewelry and silverware.

There are several ways to use foil and soda:

1. take a container and put a piece of food foil on the bottom. Then we put the product and cover it with a layer of baking soda. Pour boiling water, the process of alkaline reaction will begin. As soon as it dies down, the product can be removed;
2. the second method is based on boiling. First, prepare a working solution: 500 ml of water + 60 g of soda. We cover the foil on the bottom and pour the solution, put the dishes on the fire and bring to a boil. We put the product and soak in boiling water for 5 minutes. Then we take out the decoration, cool and polish with a soft cloth;
3. we take the container, line the foil on the bottom surface. Pour 60 g of soda and about 5 ml of liquid soap, pour boiling water over all this. Soak the chain in the solution for 5 minutes. Then we rinse in clean water and dry;
4. the method is suitable for antique or blackened silver. Put a piece of foil on the bottom of the container. We put the chain in the dish. Dissolve 30 g of salt and soda in boiling water, pour the solution into a bowl. After the dirt becomes pliable and comes off easily, you can use a soft brush.

Decoction of potatoes with foil:

1. cook three potatoes in advance;
2. take a ceramic container and put a piece of foil on the bottom. Pour the broth;
3. put the product in the broth and keep it for 15 minutes, then rinse it under running water and dry it.