Silver is an attractive metal, but also vulnerable. Many products are made from it, including crosses. Over time, they become dark, lose their attractive appearance. How to clean a silver cross is described in the article.
Causes of Darkening
Before examining the question of how to clean the silver cross from blackness, you should familiarize yourself with the causes of this defect. Products usually darken due to the reaction of the metal with hydrogen sulfide, which is in the air, as well as from its interaction with nitrogen and sulfur formed by the human body.
Since the cross is usually worn, biological reactions often occur on the surface of the product when it comes into contact with the skin. Due to the presence of sulfur and copper atoms in the silver molecule, the metal is oxidized. This occurs when it is exposed to water vapor and oxygen atoms.
The duration of the oxidative reaction depends on external environmental factors, the composition of the sweat, the number of contacts of the product with cosmetics. Swimming in a pool of chlorinated water leads to darkening of the product.
How to clean a silver cross? For this, folk and professional methods are suitable. Professional cleaning involves the use of expensive ultrasonic devices. To do this, turn to the workshop. At home, you can use proven methods, which will be described later.
General rules
Silver, like other precious metals, needs to be cleaned. But at the same time, certain conditions and techniques must be observed so as not to spoil the product. It is advisable to wash the crosses as often as possible. Do not wait until the blackening becomes very noticeable. Old spots are difficult to clean, for this you need more caustic products containing an abrasive, which is undesirable to use.
If even a slight yellowing and darkening of silver occurs, wash it with cool soapy water. You can add a little soda. Chains are cleaned only with a soft bristle brush. But it should be only natural pile, since it damages the coating less.
For silver 925, it is better not to use homemade cleaning products. We need special fluids that preserve the physical integrity of the jewelry.
To make the metal shine, lemon juice and hot water are used. Dry products with paper towels and soft fabrics. For polishing apply suede, flannel or wool fabric. After cleaning, do not wear jewelry for several days.
Vinegar essence
How to clean a silver cross at home? To do this, vinegar must be diluted to obtain a 6% solution. A sponge is moistened in it and the cross is carefully treated. This completes the cleaning procedure: after it, the product takes on a new look.
Baking soda
How to clean the blackened silver cross, so as not to give it to a professional workshop? To obtain a mixture, water is combined with soda in a ratio of 1:50, the solution is thoroughly mixed.
Then the cross is put into the finished composition and left for an hour. Then it should be removed, washed under running water and wiped with a soft cloth. Powder soda is not used as it can scratch the surface. Also, the cross can be wrapped in foil and placed in boiling water for 5 minutes, adding 1 tsp. soda.
Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol
If the silver cross is blackened, how to clean it with home methods? You can make a solution of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol by mixing the components in equal amounts. Then the cross is placed in the resulting composition, left for 30 minutes, and then it is wiped dry with a soft material.
Use of hydrogen peroxide is possible only with confidence in the composition of the product. A cross that does not have a factory test and is created with different impurities can be damaged. It will not be possible to return to its previous form.
Lemon acid
How to clean a silver cross with this tool? It is necessary to mix 0.5 liters of water with 1 tsp. citric acid. The solution is brought to a boil, a cross is placed in it. After 25 minutes of boiling over moderate heat, the product is removed, washed with cool water and wiped with a napkin.
Pepsi and Coca-Cola
How to clean a silver chain and a cross so that they are like new? For cleaning, the product is placed in a small container with a drink. In the morning it is necessary to rinse and wipe.
Ammonia
How to clean a silver cross to restore its original appearance? To prepare the solution, you need 1 tbsp. l ammonia, which is mixed with soapy water (1 liter). Soap should be household (without fragrances and cosmetic additives).
The product is lowered into the finished mixture and held for 10-15 minutes. Then they wipe the cross, wetting a napkin in this composition, and then rinse with cool water.
The crushed chalk is mixed with ammonia in a ratio of 1: 1 and the product is smeared with the finished mixture. After 10 minutes, the solution was removed and the silver was washed.
Toothpaste
To remove black from silver, a small amount of paste and a toothbrush are used. The metal must be carefully processed. The brush should have soft bristles. This will help prevent scratches and abrasions on the surface of the product.
Salt
To obtain a solution in water (1 cup) salt is added (2 tbsp. L.). The mixture should be brought to a boil and put a cross in it. After 5 minutes, the product is removed and washed with warm water.
Cleaning tips
When working with silver, you do not need to use gold purifiers. These metals have different compositions, so different cleaning methods are needed. Silver should not be left moistened after processing. Because of this, the surface quickly becomes cloudy after drying.
Care must be taken when wiping silverware. Even soft and soft to the touch material leaves scuffs and stripes on the surface of the metal. This is especially true for polished glossy surfaces. For these purposes, apply soft table napkins. Wipe only with the front side.
If there are gems on the cross, you should not clean the house. This spoils the look of the stone. It is necessary to store silver separately from medicines and rubber items, since it reacts with their components. Cleaning should be done at least once every 2-3 months.
If the product has a relief image or engraving, do not wipe the product with a flannel. Because of this, the villi are stuck in the pattern. Need soft paper napkins. Their remains can be blown off or removed with a brush for drawing.
If you have precious stones, you need to buy Leuchtturm or Silver quick special products. They are sold in jewelry stores and clean jewelry very high quality. For this, the product is placed with the finished solution and left there for a while. The exposure time should be seen on the packaging. The disadvantage of this method is considered only a high price with a fairly small volume of the bottle.
Storage rules
In order for products to retain their attractive appearance for a long time, they must be stored correctly. Silver should be kept in separate closed boxes - cases, caskets. The room must be dry. If the decoration will not be used for a long time, it must be washed with soapy water, dried and wrapped in flannel, foil or parchment.
Do not allow metal to come into contact with medicines, products, household chemicals, plastic, rubber. It is advisable to remove the products before applying cosmetics, taking a shower, bathing in the bath, sea, pool, sauna.
It is not necessary to carry out cleaning in them to exclude hit of detergents. If the product is wet or dirty, wipe it dry with a cloth. Jewelry with proper care and quality cleaning will last a long time. Using effective home methods provides an excellent result.
With the help of proper and regular care, a silver product gains shine, freshness and aesthetics. It retains its attractive appearance for a long time.