How to clean a silver chain?

Silver accessories create a sophisticated and spectacular look. However, silver is quite capricious and tarnishes easily, becoming dark and unattractive. Silver chains are no exception. The metal, exposed to ultraviolet radiation, water and sweat, begins to oxidize, which leads to the formation of a grayish or black film. But even folk methods can cope with this, which will help restore the decoration to its original appearance.

One of the most important causes of metal darkening is the oxidation process. Human sweat contains sulfur, interacting with which the chain darkens. Darkening also occurs when in contact with decorative cosmetics, skin care products, water and even air (due to the compounds contained in it 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 already 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 certain foodstuffs. It is harmful to stay in an environment with a high level of humidity for a long time. The change begins with the formation of a thin grayish film, which subsequently disappears, and the metal acquires a dark color.

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

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

To clean any metal from plaque, there are various chemical cleaners (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 decoration, 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. Cleaning methods with folk remedies can be divided into:

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

Hydrogen peroxide is only suitable for cleaning pure silver jewelry, without any impurities or pollinated metal. Otherwise, peroxide enters into a chemical reaction with impurities, from which difficult-to-remove 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 moistened with peroxide. If the area remains intact and not damaged, then the entire product can be processed.

A few recipes based on hydrogen peroxide:

1. you can quickly clean the chain at home in this way. Pour 3% peroxide into a small container. We soak the chain in it, keep it exactly until 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 not more than 20 minutes. Rings or massive earrings require 60 minutes. All the time the product must be observed, so that in case of an unexpected reaction of the metal, it should be quickly removed. After the allotted time, rinse under warm running water and polish with a piece of flannel cloth;
3. we prepare a mixture of equal parts of ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and liquid soap, preferably for children. Mix the mixture in 250 ml of water. We stand for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry with a cloth, woolen or flannel napkin.

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

Method two:

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

Citric acid (more commonly known as lemongrass) has excellent cleaning properties and is able to cope with contaminants 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 pot of the appropriate size, place a container in it and put it on fire;
4. boil for 30 minutes.

Method two:

1. take a saucepan and put 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.Let stand for 15 minutes, then rinse under running water and wipe thoroughly.

When cleaning, both ordinary table salt and finer sea salt are used.

Method one:

1. we prepare a working solution from ½ cup 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 does not disappear, you can use a brush with soft bristles;
3. Rinse under warm running water and dry thoroughly.

Method two:

1. take a container, fill with water about a quarter;
2. mix table salt in water, about 150–200 g. The solution should turn out to be highly concentrated;
3. put the container on the fire and bring to a boil;
4. turn off the fire and immerse the blackened product in boiling water. Keep it 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 decoration in it;
2. we stand all night (about 12 hours), then rinse thoroughly under warm running water and polish.

Silver can be cleaned with food foil. This method is one of the most common and frequently 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 deposits.

Method one:

1. take a small saucepan and put 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. we put the chain, and put the container on the fire;
5. We wait until the water boils, and stand for 5 minutes.The decoration should brighten, if this did not happen, the boiling time can be increased.

Method two:

1. take food foil and cut off a piece from it;
2. straighten it on the table and put the chain in the middle. Sprinkle 60 g of table salt on top and pour a small amount of water. Or you can mix salt and water to the state of gruel and apply it to the product;
3. carefully fold the foil like an envelope and put it in an empty saucepan;
4. prepare a solution of 250 ml of water and 5 g of laundry soap shavings and pour into a saucepan, covering the foil envelope;
5. put the container on the fire, wait until the solution boils. Then 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 the chain must be removed from the water with a fork and put on a plate. After that, wait until it has completely cooled down and rinse under running water. At the end, carefully wipe the chain with a flannel or woolen patch, as if polishing it. This will give a gloss to the product.

It is also effective to combine food foil with baking soda or salt (abrasive). However, when using this method, keep the following in mind:

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

There are several ways to use foil and soda:

1. We take a container and put a piece of food foil on the bottom. After we put the product and fall asleep with a layer of baking soda. Pour boiling water, the process of alkaline reaction will begin. As soon as it subsides, the product can be removed;
2. the second method is based on boiling. First, we prepare a working solution: 500 ml of water + 60 g of soda. We cover the bottom with foil 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. After we take out the jewelry, cool and polish with a soft cloth;
3. take a container, line the bottom surface with foil. 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 rinse in clean water and dry;
4. the method is suitable for antique or blackened silver. Lay a piece of foil on the bottom of the container. I put the chain in the dishes. Dissolve 30 g of salt and soda in boiling water, pour the solution into the dishes. After the pollution becomes pliable and easily moves away, you can use a soft brush.

Decoction of potatoes with foil:

1. pre-cook three potatoes;
2. We take a container made of ceramics and lay a piece of foil on the bottom. Pour the decoction;
3. put the product in the decoction and hold for 15 minutes, then rinse under running water and dry.

As doctors say, prevention is the best cure. This may well include the correct wearing and care of jewelry. as a prevention against the formation of various dark pollution and raids:

1. as already mentioned at the very beginning, the metal can darken from exposure to sweat and water, as well as decorative cosmetics.Therefore, before visiting the beach, swimming pool, sauna, gym and before applying various creams and lotions to the neck area, jewelry should be removed. Wear only after they are absorbed into the skin;
2. household chemicals are also harmful to silver, so it is better to remove the product during cleaning or washing;
3. every day the accessory needs to be polished with a piece of flannel fabric;
4. silver items should be kept separately from all jewelry and other metals in a box, preferably with fabric trim inside;
5. every two months, the chain must be cleaned for prevention by folk methods or specially designed chemistry;
6. at the time of treatment with pharmacological preparations, it is more expedient to refuse to wear silver products, since the preparations can change the properties of human sweat, and the darkening of the metal can occur faster;
7. also, the jewelry can be coated with a colorless varnish, if not, it is possible to take care of silver daily.

When cleaning silver, there are a few things to keep in mind. nuances that will greatly facilitate the work and keep the metal safe and sound:

1. before turning to a full-fledged cleaning, you can first soak the product in soapy water, keep it for about two hours. Then, using a soft brush, carefully walk along the chain. Sometimes this is quite enough to return the silver to its former appearance;
2. when working, do not use hard sponges or brushes, they can scratch and damage the metal;
3. if special cleaning products are used for cleaning, then you only need to work strictly in accordance with the instructions;
4. it is better to replace latex or rubber protective gloves with nitrile gloves, as they do not contain sulfur, due to which the jewelry will soon turn dark again;
5. after each manipulation, the product must be washed under running water and thoroughly washed off all substances;
6. after contact with water, the products are completely dried to prevent the formation of stains;
7. after cleaning for two or even three weeks, it is better not to wear a chain or ring so that silver has time to create a new protective film on the surface.

It is not difficult to restore the original appearance of silver jewelry with your own hands using improvised means. If the decoration is very valuable, then it it is better to leave it in the hands of professionals. Also, do not forget about daily care, protection from water and regular polishing.

See the following video for how to clean a silver chain with ammonia and detergent.