Silver is a noble and quite popular metal, from which various souvenirs, dishes, jewelry are made. Ions of this metal have disinfecting 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 the products becomes unsightly. In the article, we will consider how silver is cleaned, the rules and features of this procedure.
Why metal is getting dark
There are several reasons for the darkening of silver products. The main one is the presence of sulfur, during the reaction with which a black coating is formed on silver - silver sulfide.
Let's consider them in more detail:
- Scientists have reliably established that moisture contributes to the darkening of silver - dampness in the room causes the formation of hydrogen sulfide.
- It harms silver and the sweat of a person wearing jewelry made of this metal (chains, bracelets, crosses).
- Particles of a cosmetic product falling on a silver product can cause an oxidation reaction.
- Some food and household products can cause tarnishing - onions, egg yolk, salt, rubber, gas, cleaners and detergents.
- The causes of blackening can also serve as improper storage and poor quality of the metal.
- Contact with alkali and mercury also causes darkening on silverware.
What determines the oxidation rate
The speed and degree of formation on silver plaque largely depends on the composition. Since pure silver is a soft, easily deformable metal, an alloy of silver and copper is used to produce jewelry, which increases the hardness of the composition.
Consider the following:
- Alloys containing a large percentage of copper - eight hundred and eight hundred and thirtieth samples - differ in 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-grade metal, so it needs systematic care.
- Silver of nine hundred and twenty-fifth samples with a small percentage of copper is the highest quality material, so jewelry is made from it.
Cleaning silver in a dishwasher is not recommended - stains appear on cutlery under the influence of chemicals, they turn black and become unusable.
The rate of a chemical reaction depends on the composition of the sweat mass. If the secret contains a large amount of sulfur, then the process occurs faster, if - nitrogen, then more slowly.
Choosing a cleaning method
There are several methods for cleaning silver at home, and the choice of a specific method is carried out taking into account:
- product samples;
- alloy composition;
- the presence of additional coatings, for example, gilding or enamel;
- the presence of precious stones;
- degree of contamination of the product.
It should also be borne in mind that it is allowed to clean inexpensive silver items at home, and it is better to trust specialists with high-grade products or filigree jewelry.
In addition to home methods, which will be discussed later in the article, you can use special tools for cleaning silver 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:
- Housewares and interiors can be processed with more aggressive means, and jewelry, on the contrary, sparing.
- Silver is a ductile and soft metal, so coarse textiles, stiff brushes and metal scrapers cannot be used during processing.
Cleaning silver at home is as follows:
- Remains of grease, dirt, dust, and cosmetics are removed from the surface of the product with a warm soapy solution and a soft cloth for even places and a toothbrush with soft bristles (preferably natural) for relief details.
- After preliminary cleaning, the product must be rinsed in clean water and dried.
- Then the accessory is polished with a piece of soft cloth (wool, flannel, suede).
- Within three days after processing, the product is not used, since a protective film forms on it during this time.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that silver should be cleaned systematically without accumulating heavy contaminants. Hard abrasives should not be used, especially for high-grade metal. Radiated products are cleaned exclusively with soft tissues, since such a surface is easily damaged.
We use toothpaste and paste
A quick way to clean silver at home (chains, earrings, rings and other jewelry in this way is not processed because of its roughness) is to clean with toothpaste or powder.
This is done as follows:
- The powder is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.
- The paste will need a white color, without color impurities and obvious abrasive particles, special preparation of the substance is not required.
- The mass is superimposed on a piece of soft textile and rubbed gently into the surface of the product.
- At this point, you can apply a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Movements must be made in one direction, without pressing hard, trying to move in a straight line so as not to damage the surface.
- Complete the cleaning in accordance with the general rules.
Baking Soda
One of the available methods for bringing contaminated products to their original appearance is cleaning silver with soda. This tool is in every home, so using it is not difficult.
The chain of simple steps is as follows:
- In a small amount of soda, add enough water to make a thick slurry.
- Spread the substance evenly over the surface of the product with a thin layer using a plastic spatula.
- Leave the product as it is on a dry cloth.
- After ten minutes, the soda layer is carefully cleaned, and the surface is slightly rubbed with the remnants of the dissolved abrasive and a soft cloth.
- Finish cleaning by thorough rinsing and polishing with textiles.
To restore the original appearance of the products, silver cleaning with soda and foil is also used. To do this, a quarter liter of water is boiled and twenty grams of soda and sliced foil are added to it. Silver jewelry is placed in a hot solution for fifteen minutes, then removed, rinsed, dried and polished.
Acid cleaning
A solution of citric acid is an effective method of cleaning silver. Chains, earrings and other jewelry requiring a gentle attitude are well handled in this way.
The steps for removing contaminants are as follows:
- dissolve one hundred grams of acid powder in a container with cold water in the amount of half a liter;
- put a piece of copper wire in the resulting solution;
- place the container in a water bath and wait for boiling;
- as soon as the liquid begins to boil, lower the silver products into it for fifteen minutes;
- remove the processed items, rinse in clean water, dry and polish.
If the product is slightly contaminated, you can wipe it with a cloth dampened in six percent acetic acid, then rinse.
Heavily darkened coins or other simple objects are cleaned with formic or sulfuric acid. To do this, they are placed in five percent solutions of these funds and boiled for several minutes. Complete the cleaning of silver by standard methods. When using acids, gloves must be protected with hands.
Using ammonia
To quickly process slightly darkened items, you can use ammonia. To do this, they moisten a soft cloth and wipe the silver products.
Heavily soiled products are cleaned in another way. To do this, they are placed in a ten percent solution of ammonia for ten minutes, and then washed with water.
You can also use the following silver cleaning solution:
- mix water (five parts), tooth powder (one part) and ammonia (two parts) in a container;
- moisten a piece of cloth in this solution, gently rub silver and leave the product 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. Complete the cleaning as described above.
You can also use this method: mix the ammonia with a chalk or tooth powder to a paste-like state and treat silver products with a solution.
other methods
There are several other methods available to give silver objects a well-groomed appearance.
Let's consider in more detail:
- Salt. In a hot solution of 0.5 liters of water and twenty-five grams of salt add ten grams of tartar and dip silver into it for twenty minutes.
- Heat half an liter of water in an aluminum pan and add ten grams of salt or soda to it (you can also use a cleaning powder for dishes). Boil silver in this solution for half an hour.
- Pour any drink with phosphoric acid (Cola, Sprite, 7-Up or another) into the container, dip silver into it and boil for seven minutes.
- Boil silver in a solution of water and washing powder (arbitrary proportion) for about ten minutes.
- If the product is not openwork, you can spray a glass cleaner on it and polish it with an ordinary stationery eraser.
- Cleaning silver with foil - line the inner walls of the container with this material, pour water and add soda or salt. Put in a solution of the product and boil for ten minutes.
Cleaning silver products with plating or inserts
Jewelry, gilded or inlaid with precious stones, require careful treatment.
In the case of light pollution use cologne or ordinary alcohol - these liquids are cleaned with a cotton swab (for recesses) or a disk.
Another gentle cleaning method is a solution of laundry soap in warm water with the addition of a few drops of ammonia or vinegar. In such a liquid, the products are soaked for half an hour, then washed well in running water, dried and polished with a suede flap.
The original way is to clean silver items with lipstick - they are lubricated with a cosmetic product, and then rubbed with a flannel.
You can also hold silver for three hours in water with chopped raw potatoes.
Proper storage of silver
In order for silver objects to last a long time, they need proper care and storage:
- it is necessary to keep products in separate cases;
- there should be no medicines, household chemical goods, or rubber nearby;
- before taking a shower, applying cosmetics, sports, or cleaning jewelry, remove it;
- products need regular 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 to keep their original appearance longer.