How to clean silver jewelry and items at home. Cleaning with alcohol, salt, soda

If a silver item or jewelry has lost its shine over time or darkened, then you need to find out how to clean the item at home using improvised means or using a special solution, and boldly get down to business. There are a lot of recipes to restore the shine of silver, but are they all really effective?

How to clean silver at home

Most silver items turn black and dull after some time. Superstitious people say that the reason for this is damage to the owner or illness. According to scientists, silver products are affected by the composition of human sweat: if there is an excess of sulfur in the body, then the metal is more likely to darken, and if there is a lot of nitrogen, then the silver will not darken. However, it happens that items simply lie in the box - for example, cutlery, dishes, figurines - and still become covered with plaque. This occurs from interaction with air containing hydrogen sulfide.

To know how to clean silver jewelry at home correctly, you need to take into account the silver alloy, impurities, and the presence of stones. Silver alloy is:

• matte;
• coin;
• blackened;
• filigree;
• sterling (925 standard).

So, how to clean silver at home? Before you start cleaning silver jewelry and dishes, degrease the product using any detergent. Rub the grooves and curls with a soft toothbrush. Let the item sit in soapy water for a few minutes, then rinse the jewelry and proceed with drastic measures. There are many ways to clean silver, including cleaning with:

• hydrogen peroxide;
• baking soda;
• salt;
• ammonia (ammonia);
• foil;
• citric acid;
• coca cola;
• toothpaste or powder;
• special products (liquids, pastes, wipes);
• mechanical method of cleaning with an eraser.

Hydrogen peroxide

The use of hydrogen peroxide to clean silver objects is very controversial. Cleaning silver with hydrogen peroxide can remove tarnish from noble metal, and start the reverse process. Hydrogen peroxide donates oxygen atoms to reduce or oxidize the substance depending on its composition, so the reaction to silver may be unpredictable if the silver alloy contains foreign metals. In this case, there is a risk that the surface of the decoration will become spotty or completely black.

It will be difficult to remove such contamination at home. You'll have to turn to a jeweler, and his work will cost a pretty penny. There are recipes on how to clean silver at home using combined solutions based on hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. However, before placing the entire piece of jewelry into the composition, make a test - check the reaction on the chain clasp or the inside of the ring. If the contact area has become lighter, then feel free to apply the solution to the entire surface of the jewelry using a cotton pad.

Soda

Housewives have long known the power of soda in the fight against pollution. Perhaps it will be able to wash silver objects, but you must act without fanaticism so as not to scratch the shiny surface. This method is suitable for small items, since scratches on plates and spoons will be too obvious. How to clean silver with soda:

1. Mix baking soda and a drop of water until a paste forms.
2. Apply the paste onto the surface of the product using your fingers or a soft cloth and lightly rub until shiny.
3. It is better to clean difficult areas using a toothbrush.
4. Rinse the jewelry with water.
5. Wipe dry.

Salt

Another quick, easy way is to clean your silver with salt. You will need regular salt, coarse or fine, whatever is available, it doesn’t matter. In a small bowl or mug, the bottom of which is lined with foil, generously pour salt, baking soda, and pour in dishwashing liquid. Jewelry should be placed in this substance and boiled for 10 minutes. Then rinse the products under the tap and dry. This method is suitable for small items such as rings, crosses, earrings, chains, coins. Plates, spoons, candlesticks, and other kitchen utensils must be cleaned using other methods.

Ammonia

There are several ways to clean silver with ammonia. You can use either pure alcohol or its combination with other substances. Two methods using exclusively ammonia:

1. Take one part ammonia and 10 parts water and prepare a solution. Immerse the product in it to soak. If the silver is of medium contamination, then the treatment lasts from half an hour to an hour. You should not keep silver in ammonia for too long; you need to monitor the bleaching process. Slightly cloudy items can be simply wiped off cotton pad, moistened with ammonia.
2. For silver items that are too blackened, you will need pure ammonia. Processing time 15 minutes. Then the silver is rinsed and dried.

Foil

Citric acid

Lighten antiques and jewelry Cleaning silver with citric acid or vinegar will help:

• It is necessary to dilute 100 grams of acid in 0.5 liters and heat the solution in a water bath.
• Place a small piece of copper or wire and silver into the container. Boiling time is from 15 to 30 minutes.
• Then, as usual, rinse and dry the item.

Coca Cola

The cleaning properties of Coca-Cola are already legendary. What does this drink not clean: tiles, plumbing, dishes! For home use, this is an expensive and irrational method, but cleaning silver with Coca-Cola is quite affordable and won’t break your pocket. You need to pour a small amount of Coca-Cola into a glass and place silver items in it. The process is long, it will take about 12 hours, but the silver will shine like new.

Toothpaste

For slightly tarnished jewelry, cleaning silver with toothpaste works well. Smooth items can be wiped with a napkin with toothpaste, and jewelry with many embossed details can be cleaned with a toothbrush. Choose a paste without additives or dyes so that impurities do not lead to an undesirable reaction with the metal. After cleaning the product, rinse thoroughly to avoid the formation of a white coating, and polish with a soft cloth.

Silver cleaning products

In any jewelry store you can find special products for cleaning silver products. Voice the problem to the consultant, or better yet, bring the jewelry with you - he will recommend a suitable cleaner: napkins, liquid or paste. Check whether this or that cleaning agent can be used for products with stones: some do not tolerate aggressive cleaning and are easily damaged.

Cleaning liquid

A special solution for cleaning silver consists of organic solvents, phosphates, surfactants, fragrances, and water. This is a strong cleaner, so it is not recommended to use it to brighten silver jewelry with pearls, amber, or coral. For example, Aladdin liquid is a convenient container with a special basket and a brush: the product is placed in the basket, then it must be immersed directly in the jar and held for 30 seconds. Next, rinse the silver with water and polish with a cloth. The effect is visible the first time, but there is a drawback - bad smell.

Special liquids can be sold in the form of a spray, such as the Chinese product Sunlight. The kit includes a small brush for cleaning hard-to-reach places. As declared on the packaging, Sunlight spray is safe for all types of precious metals and stones. The product is transparent, without a strong odor, easy to use. You just need to spray the silver, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse with water.

Napkins

To clean items that have slightly darkened or lost their shine, it is recommended to use silver cleaning cloths. There are cloths that are made from microfiber and are chemical-free to avoid harming metal and stones. In addition, in stores you can buy disposable wipes with special impregnation for polishing jewelry, separately with impregnation for polishing jewelry with pearls or other organic stones. One such napkin is enough to polish a small table set to a shine.

Cleaning paste

A thick silver cleaning cream or paste effectively removes old black deposits on jewelry, cutlery, and antiques. The paste has a delicate structure and does not leave scratches on the product. Before cleaning, you need to degrease the silver by washing it in warm water with soap or detergent. Then apply a little paste on a napkin, rub the product and leave for a while, then polish the surface with a dry napkin.

How to clean silver from blackness

Cleaning silver at home is a troublesome task, you can scratch the product or ruin the stones. Most of the known ways to clean silver at home were discussed above. It remains to figure out which of the considered methods is best used for jewelry, products with stones, and which for dishes, cutlery, antiques and other items:

• It is better to clean silverware with visible scratches from baking soda with toothpaste. It is just suitable for items that have not suffered much from blackening. However, you should not use the paste too often, as it can cause microcracks to form in the metal. Clean spoons, forks and knives with soda, salt and foil. With this method there is no need to rub objects; the dirt comes off when boiled.
• An eraser can easily handle small jewelry or coins, but it will take some work. Instead of an eraser, some people recommend using lipstick, applying a little to a soft cloth and rubbing the silver. The lipstick will not leave scratches and can be easily washed off with soapy water. For small decorations, a paste of chalk and ammonia is also suitable, which is applied to the product and then washed off with water.
• Blackened silver should not be cleaned to a shine at all, trying to wash away the noble patina, depriving the jewelry of charm and sophistication.

Silver chain

Many people think that the most difficult thing is cleaning a silver chain, because there are small links or a spiral. However, by applying the knowledge gained about silver purification methods, you can easily cope with this problem. You will need vinegar and 3 hours of time:

• Soak the chain in acid, without diluting it with water, and hold for the specified time.
• Perhaps the process will go faster if the silver is not too neglected.
• Vinegar does a great job of removing very strong stains.

Silver with stones

If you are afraid of damaging silver jewelry with stones with household chemicals, it is better to clean it with special liquids for professional cleaning. You can buy them at a jewelry store. They will not only carefully clean the silver, but also cover the surface with a protective film. It is important to know the features of the stones in your jewelry:

• Turquoise does not tolerate moisture; it is strictly forbidden to put it in water.
• Pearls do not tolerate ammonia and hydrogen peroxide; they are washed in a soapy water solution.
• Amethyst and topaz easily tolerate the effects of alkalis and low concentration acids, but will not survive high temperature- will fade.
• Cubic zirconia and quartz are not capricious, they can be washed in soapy water.

Video

Silver jewelry perfectly complements the image of a modern woman. Unfortunately, long-term wearing and failure to take care of such jewelry lead to plaque and darkening. How to clean silver items?

Rules of care

Silver is a noble metal that requires constant and concentrated care, consisting in fulfilling a number of conditions:

• To avoid plaque, it is better not to wear earrings, rings, chains, bracelets when performing water procedures at home, or while relaxing at sea.
• To prevent oxidation that occurs as a result of the metal reacting with sweat, jewelry must be removed when physical activity. Such loads include, for example, exercise in the gym. In addition, they can cause deformation, damage or contamination of silver items.
• It is not recommended to cook food with silver items in your hands. Detergents and certain foods may adversely affect their appearance.

• It is recommended to remove valuables while sleeping at night, especially in the summer.
• To protect silver jewelry from staining and oxidation, make-up and perfume should be applied before wearing it to cosmetical tools did not come into contact with silver.
• Upon contact with rubber, which contains the main source of darkening - sulfur, silver quickly darkens and loses its attractive appearance.
• Once every 3-4 weeks, silver items need treatment to remove minor dirt and slight darkening.
• Silver should only be cleaned when glassware, since metal and plastic can negatively affect jewelry.
• After cleaning, it is not advisable to wear jewelry for several days - during this time a natural film should appear on the silver, protecting it from various types of damage.

Compliance with the above rules will ensure the preservation attractive looking jewelry made from this noble metal for as long as possible.

How to clean?

Silver cleaning can be done independently at home or by a jeweler in a workshop. The owner of the jewelry determines which method to choose. When deciding in favor of cleaning at home, you need to know exactly the composition of the alloy and the degree of contamination of the product. It wouldn’t hurt to consult a professional before performing one or another method of cleansing.

How to remove plaque?

There are many home recipes suitable for removing plaque from silver items without stones:

• Heated vinegar (6%), a cotton pad or a piece of fleecy cloth. Use a disc soaked in vinegar to wipe the chain, ring, bracelet or earrings.
• Vinegar (100 ml), baking soda (50 g). Place cleaning items in a mixture of these substances for a couple of hours, rinse with water.
• Baking soda, water. Get a paste-like texture by combining them. Clean the products with a suede cloth on which the prepared composition has been applied.
• Citric acid (100 g), water (700 ml), copper wire (small piece). Dissolve acid in water. Place the container with the resulting solution in a water bath. Place the wire and items to be cleaned at the bottom. Leave for half an hour.

• Citric acid (100 g), water (1/2 liter). Dilute citric acid in water. Place the decorations there, boil for no more than 5 minutes, then leave them in the solution for half an hour. Remove and rinse in water.
• Water (250 ml), foil (size should correspond to the parameters of the palm), salt (teaspoon). Chop the foil into pieces, put it in a glass of water, add salt. Stir the resulting liquid until the salt dissolves. Place the cleaning item in the prepared product for 10-15 minutes.
• Foil, soda, potato broth or regular boiling water. Place decorations in a vessel whose bottom is covered with foil. Add baking soda and pour in boiling water. Things should disappear under the liquid and lie there for several minutes.
• Laundry soap, water. Grind the soap and add water. Place the items to be cleaned into the prepared soapy liquid.
• Toothpaste, napkin or suede. Wipe the silver item with a napkin with paste. It is not advisable to use toothpaste as a permanent means of cleaning, since frequent use can cause microcracks to form.

• Lipstick (not hygienic), a piece of cloth, soap solution. Clean the jewelry with a cloth smeared with lipstick. Wash with soapy water. Lipstick should be used occasionally and very carefully, as it is an abrasive.
• Place the jewelry in boiling water, preserved after boiling the potatoes in their jackets, for 10-15 minutes.
• Pour Coca-Cola into a saucepan, place the contaminated items there, leave them there until it boils, boil for a few minutes and remove.
• Place the decoration in a container with tomato ketchup for a few minutes. Remove any remaining product with a napkin.
• Egg yolk, water. Coat the decorations with yolk, let dry, then rinse.
• Water left over from boiling eggs. Dip cleaning items into warm liquid and leave for 15-20 minutes.
• Raw egg shell, water (500 ml), salt (5 ml). Pour water into the pan with the shell and add salt. Wait until it boils, remove from heat. Place the items to be cleaned into a pan and leave until cool.

• Ammonia (10%). Place the products into the vessel, then pour in a small amount of ammonia. He must cover them. Leave for a quarter of an hour. Then wash with water and wipe. When working with ammonia, you must use gloves. For work, be sure to choose a well-ventilated room - a balcony, a garage, or carry out cleaning in fresh air. Do not lean too close to the ammonia container.
• Cold water (250 ml), ammonia (tablespoon), hydrogen peroxide, shampoo for children. Pour ammonia into the water. While stirring the liquid, add a little hydrogen peroxide and shampoo. Dip silver items into the prepared mixture for a quarter of an hour. If the result is not satisfactory, leave for another 15-20 minutes, but the total time allotted for the procedure should not exceed 60 minutes. Remove the cleaned items, rinse under water and dry with a napkin.
• Ammonia, dentifrice or crushed chalk. Bring the ammonia solution with powder (chalk) to a consistency resembling gruel. Apply the resulting mixture to the item to be cleaned with a cloth and wait until the mixture dries. Wipe the product with a dry cloth, rinse with water and dry.

For cleaning, you can also use professional cleaning products from the brands Aladdin, Silbo and others. Each product comes with instructions that detail the process of processing silver products. The advantages of using them are the absence of damage and the creation of a protective film on the decoration.

Depending on the stones adorning the earrings and rings, acceptable products are selected that allow for gentle cleaning:

• Sapphire, aquamarine and emerald can only be cleaned with a toothbrush and washing powder.
• Malachite, opal, Moonstone and turquoise are washed with warm soapy water.
• Topaz, garnet and ruby ​​cannot be tolerated hot water and accept only products without chlorine and abrasives.
• It would be advisable to entrust the cleaning of pearls, coral, amber and ivory to specialists.

Non-coated jewelry made to look like silver can be treated with powder for cleaning teeth. A soda solution will help whiten items.

Silver-plated rings, bracelets, chains, earrings should not be subject to increased friction. To wash such products, water with dissolved soap is used, to which a small amount of ammonia is added.

Blackened silver needs regular cleaning to remove dirt. But you cannot boil it and use chemical solutions for processing. It is better to use a potato decoction or a liquid that involves mixing water and soda.

It is not recommended to use detergents when delicately cleaning products with enamel. There are two effective methods for cleaning them: wash the items in cold water with ammonia (5 ml) or clean the enamel with tooth powder, then wipe with a napkin.

To remove dirt from rhodium-plated silver, do not use powders that can damage the thin protective layer. Jewelry with such a layer is resistant to various damages and attracts with its radiance, superior to pure silver. The best option cleansing – highly professional cleaning in a jewelry workshop.

Gilded silver can be restored to its original appearance using several methods:

• Wipe light stains with a piece of suede;
• Use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to clean deeper stains;
• To get rid of plaque and complex stains, place items for a quarter of an hour in a solution consisting of 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar or for half an hour in beer, then wash and wipe with suede.

In the workshop, plaque and dirt are removed from jewelry using several means:

• Ultrasound cleans dirt and removes plaque.
• The steam generator removes grease, plaque and contaminants that ultrasonic cleaning could not remove.
• Napkins soaked active substances, polish products.

How to remove rust?

Silver corrosion is characterized by a black color. You can remove rust quickly enough without leaving your home.

To combat corrosion, you will need a quarter glass of water, liquid dishwashing detergent (10 ml), ammonia (5 ml). The listed components must be mixed thoroughly. Soak a swab in the resulting solution (if you need to clean a small object, such as a silver ring) or a cloth (to clean larger objects). Apply the liquid to the silver. If the procedure is ineffective, you should put the silver item in the solution and leave it there for 10-30 minutes, then rinse. If there is nothing left of the stain, the silver should be wiped dry.

If nothing helps, it would be advisable to seek help from a professional in a jewelry workshop.

Storage Secrets

To the secrets of proper silver storage, eliminating or minimizing the need for cleaning, relate:

• Precious metal products should be stored in a room with low humidity. Dampness and moisture will cause the decoration to tarnish.
• You should pay attention to the air temperature. Silver does not like its sudden changes.
• Sunlight is harmful to silver jewelry and items with stones.
• When choosing a place to store silver jewelry, you should give preference to boxes with fabric interior trim. In this case, the main factor must be taken into account - the presence of many compartments, allowing earrings, rings, bracelets, chains to be isolated from each other. This will prevent mechanical damage and dust accumulation.
• You can use special airtight containers or cotton bags. Bags for storing jewelry are usually treated with special chemical solutions to prevent tarnishing.

It's better to spend a little time and effort making sure your silver jewelry is stored in a safe and comfortable place than to spend hours cleaning it trying to restore its shine and original beauty.

Unfortunately, silver, unlike gold, tends to lose its marketable appearance over time. There are several tips that will allow you to enjoy the dazzling shine and pristine appearance of silver jewelry longer:

• The first signs of tarnishing and yellowing are warning signs that your silver needs cleaning soon. If this is not noticed in time, more complex contamination may form or blackening may appear.
• When cleaning things at home, it is better to use rags, a cotton pad or a soft sponge. You should only use a toothbrush as a last resort.
• Do not use dubious means to remove dirt from precious metal (for example, an eraser).
• 925 sterling silver can only be treated with professional cleaning products.
• It is imperative to wipe dry silver items that have been subjected to the cleaning process.
• When choosing polishing products for silver jewelry, you should give preference to suede, flannel fabric or wool.
• In case of doubts that may arise when choosing one or another method of removing dirt and plaque, professional advice will not hurt.

To learn how to clean silver at home, watch the following video.

Knowing how to clean tarnished silver from plaque and stains, you restore the product without scratching or damaging its surface. Use soda, salt, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide. Prepare special cleaning pastes or solutions following a specific pattern. Finally, be sure to rinse under running water and polish until shiny.

Silver is a noble metal that has disinfecting properties, so wearing silver items and using cutlery has a good effect on a person’s well-being (provided that they do not have a black coating). Knowing how to clean silver at home, you will restore the attractiveness of your favorite jewelry, spoons and improve them healing properties with a minimum of effort.

Causes of darkening of silver

Before cleaning your silver, it is important to understand why it is prone to tarnishing.

“Magical” reasons for the darkening of silver

Previously, it was thought that the reason for this was magical rituals, but scientists have proven that silver and cupronickel (a metal similar to silver) react to various elements (oxidize).

Blackness on the surface of silver-plated jewelry appears due to:

• contact with wet skin;
• being in conditions of excessive humidity;
• improper storage;
• interactions with household chemicals, cosmetics and some products;
• reactions to sweating. If there is nitrogen in the sweat, then the silver will remain the same, and sulfur impurities lead to rapid blackening. Sulfur matter appears in the body as a result of the progression of pathology or the use of medications.

If the product is of low quality, it will oxidize, regardless of whether the sweat contains impurities or not.

It is better to avoid wearing such jewelry, because they do not have even a minimal beneficial effect on the body and cannot be restored.

Choosing a cleaning method

Cleaning principle silver bracelets, crosses, rings and cutlery from black plaque depends on several factors:

• product samples;
• are there any alloys in the composition?
• size of decoration;
• the presence of decorative elements, such as expensive stones, gilding;
• intensity of blackening.

Simple products, which do not contain impurities, stones, or gilding do not require special care, so the use of aggressive agents is acceptable. As for expensive items with decorations, it is better to clean them with professional cleaners (pastes/aerosols) or contact a jewelry salon.

Basic Rules

You need to clean silver at home by following certain rules:

1. Clean your jewelry regularly, even if there is only slight plaque. Otherwise, the dirt will become embedded in the ornament, and it will be more difficult to clean it out. This especially applies to white earrings or light gray chains.
2. Do not use harsh abrasives such as a metal scraper. For simple jewelry use a toothbrush with soft guards; for expensive ones containing stones, use a brush with natural bristles.
3. Treat high-quality products with professional cleaners.
4. Silver-plated accessories cannot be damaged chemicals, but it’s easy to scratch with hard materials. If you don’t have the necessary brush at hand, clean your silver with soft cloths.
5. Be sure to rinse the rings with purified water if metal utensils/foil were used during processing. Otherwise, the surface will oxidize and form an unattractive-colored layer of sodium sulfate.
6. To make the decoration radiate shine, like in a shop window, sprinkle it with boiling water or lemon juice.
7. After processing, dry the silver-plated jewelry with a hairdryer and polish with a suede cloth.
8. Do not use cutlery or wear rings or chains for several days after treatment.

To wash jewelry with decorative stones at home, use traditional cleaning methods and these rules.

Cleaning silver using folk remedies

Folk remedies– substances regularly used in everyday life:

• lemon acid;
• vinegar;
• Colgate toothpaste;
• ammonia;
• vodka;
• or food.
• hydrogen peroxide;
• glycerol;
• salt;
• Coca Cola.

These products have a gentle effect, therefore they are recommended by leading jewelers for cleaning initial and medium-level stains. Before scrubbing away the blackness, remove any remaining cosmetics, dust and grease. Prepare a solution by mixing dishwashing liquid, washing powder or soap and water. Scrub thoroughly inside/outside with a toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a soft paper towel.

We wash off the darkening with tooth powder/paste

Paste or whitening powder for teeth removes blackness from silver-plated accessories, but is a rough method that is not recommended for cleaning expensive jewelry with gold inclusions and precious stones (topaz, amber).

The method is well suited for cleaning coins. Dilute the powder with water to form a paste or apply the prepared product to a soft fabric. Rub the product in a straight line. Do not press, otherwise you will damage the ornament.

Note ! After using any cleaning agent, rinse the jewelry and dry it to avoid oxidation..

Did you know that toothpaste is used for and.

Soda

An easily accessible and highly effective means of cleaning contaminated silver is soda. For regular utensils, prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply the mixture to the contaminated area and rub after 10–15 minutes. soft cloth, wash.

If the jewelry contains impurities of precious metals or stones, use a different recipe:

1. Boil 1 tbsp. water.
2. Dissolve 20 g of soda in it.
3. Place food foil on the bottom of the pan.
4. Place the decoration for 15 minutes.
5. Wipe with a cloth.

Note ! We place the processed silver in hot, not boiling water!

How to easily remove blackness from a silver chain and restore shine, watch the video:

Citric acid

Using acids, silver is washed from dirt, rust, yellowness, and brown deposits.

Upon completion of processing, the silver ring will shine:

1. Combine the ingredients in the following proportions: 2 tbsp. water and 100 g of citric acid.
2. Place the solution in a water bath and place a piece of wire (copper) inside.
3. Simmer the decoration for about 15 minutes.

The small and easy-to-handle product can be easily cleaned with a vinegar solution. Apply a little product to the cloth and wipe. Also use pharmaceutical sulfuric or formic acid. Add a little product to boiling water, place the product there and boil for 1-2 minutes.

Note ! Do not use pans with even minimal carbon deposits. They will further worsen the condition of the silver.

Ammonia

To clean silver with ammonia at home until it shines, just soak a cloth in a pharmaceutical solution and wipe the product.

If this is not enough, pour ammonia over the decoration and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Clean heavily soiled items with ammonia mixed with hydrogen peroxide:

1. Mix ingredients 1:1.
2. Place a ring or chain in the liquid.
3. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
4. Rub with a brush or cloth.
5. Dry and polish.

Real gems will not deteriorate when in contact with these components, but colored rhinestones may lighten or become discolored.

Attention! If your ring or earrings have pearls or colored decorative inserts, be careful as peroxide can discolor such materials!

Salt

A salt bath will help add shine to the product and remove minor yellow deposits.

To enhance the effect, it is combined with cream of tartar:

1. Dissolve in ½ l. 10 g stone and 25 g salt.
2. Keep the decoration in the solution for no more than 20 minutes.

If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand, pour half a liter of water into an aluminum pan, add dishwashing detergent and 10 g of baking soda/salt. Simmer over low heat for half an hour, dry and rub the restored product.

Olive oil

Regular olive oil will help remove minor plaque. Apply the product to the fabric, rub the ring and rinse with cold water. Regular processing olive oil does not harm, but will not allow the product to darken, so treat it 1-2 times a month.

By unusual methods

Unusual means include cigarette ash, powder, curdled milk, copper wire, foil, and raw potatoes.

Clean with foil and copper wire

These materials enhance the effectiveness of the main components and remove minor deposits:

1. Wrap the decoration in foil along with 1 tsp. soda and salt.
2. Pour water into a metal container.
3. Place the foil pouch into the pan. If you are using wire, place it in water along with the silver item.
4. Boil for 15 minutes.

Note ! An aluminum pan is a good substitute for foil, so you shouldn’t put the bag in such a dish.

Potato peeling technique

Peel a few potatoes and fill them with water. Place the silver item there and leave for 2-3 hours. After this period, intense blackness will be less noticeable, and minor blackness will disappear completely.

Cigarette ash

Pour some water into the pan and add cigarette ash.

Boil the solution and place the decorations inside. Simmer over low heat for 5–15 minutes and polish the product. To enhance the effect, add a little citric acid along with the ash.

Curdled milk

Curdled milk contains acid, only in a lower concentration than lemon, so the method is suitable for cleaning products containing inserts of gold and precious stones. Pour the curdled milk into a glass, place the silver to be processed inside and complete the processing after 12 hours.

Using yogurt or sour milk you can also.

Cosmetic powder

If you notice slight darkening, rub the silver with regular cosmetic powder. It does not harm products of any quality at all, since it is a gentle, polishing abrasive.

Features of cleaning products with stones and gold plated

Expensive jewelry, equipped with stones, require special care, because if you move carelessly, you risk tearing off and losing topaz, amber or malachite.

For minor contamination:

1. Soak a cotton swab in cologne or alcohol-based product.
2. Carefully wipe all recesses.

To remove stains and stubborn blackness:

1. Dissolve laundry soap shavings in water and add a little ammonia, citric acid, and vinegar.
2. Keep the jewelry in the resulting solution for 10–20 minutes, depending on the intensity of the contamination, and rinse under running water.

For jewelry with complex ornament and stones, it is better not to use a toothbrush. Finally, rub the product with a soft cloth.

How to clean blackened silver

Blackened jewelry itself has a dark tint, so attempts to bleach it will be unsuccessful.

A combination of the following ingredients is well suited for blackened products:

• 2 tbsp. water;
• soap shavings (10g);
• 1 tsp. soda

The solution does not need to be heated or boiled. Place the product inside and let it sit for 20 minutes, and finally polish it.

How to clean matte silver

Matte products are easy to clean using raw potatoes or a foil bag with baking soda. After the procedure, wipe the product dry with a dry cloth.

How to properly store silver

The frequency of washing silver jewelry and its service life depend on proper storage.

1. Each piece of jewelry should have its own case - purchase it along with the product.
2. Keep silver away from household chemicals, medicines, foods and drugs (especially iodine).
3. Remove jewelry before showering/bathing or applying makeup. The less the product comes into contact with cosmetics and water, the longer it retains its shine.
4. Immediately rub wet rings and earrings with a soft cloth.

Putting silver items in order is not difficult, but it is necessary to follow the processing sequence and prepare cleaning solutions and ointments based on these recipes.

Larisa, June 30, 2018.

Silver is a very beautiful metal that requires special attention and care. Silver jewelry never makes an image vulgar and provocative, but on the contrary - more refined and sophisticated. In addition, jewelry made from this metal is suitable for any skin type. But it’s worth remembering that the material is very fragile, and if you find that your silver ring has turned black, it means you made some mistake in cleaning it. Many women wonder what it should be like to clean silver with stones. You can find a lot on the Internet various means and cleaning methods, the main thing is to carry it out correctly and in a timely manner.

What do you need to know before cleaning your silver?

Before you clean your silver jewelry, you need to become familiar with the main causes of silver tarnishing.

People say that if jewelry darkens, then the person is in poor health. But in fact, this is far from the case. Experienced Jewelers and doctors refute this theory, because the main reason for the darkening of jewelry is poor-quality metal.

Some craftsmen in making silver rings, chains use copper:

• As you know, copper is a very unstable metal, and upon contact with moisture it quickly oxidizes.
• In addition to a bad sample, various cosmetics (creams, lotions) have a bad effect on silver. Therefore, if you wear jewelry made of this metal, you should avoid frequent use of creams that contain sulfur and other harmful chemicals.

Important! In order for the cleaning of silver with or without stones to be successful, you should store silver items in dry places away from water.

Features of self-care for silver items

To clean a silver ring with a stone, you should consider several important nuances:

• Do not use abrasive cleaners to avoid damaging the stone and the ring or earrings itself.
• Do not scrub the product with a hard-bristled brush, as this may loosen the ring fastenings. As a result, a precious stone can be lost.
• Use polishing agents to keep your jewelry shiny after cleaning.

If you take into account all the above features, you can achieve an effective, positive result.

How to clean silver jewelry at home like a professional?

To clean silver jewelry yourself, you need to take into account several mandatory recommendations:

1. Use soft cloths and sponges for washing so as not to scratch the gem.
2. Regardless of what detergent you use, first soak the ring or chain in a soapy solution.
3. Observe the temperature regime, as sudden jump temperature may destroy the product.
4. Polish your jewelry with a chamois leather.
5. After cleaning, wipe the jewelry dry, as silver does not tolerate moisture.

Important! These rules must be followed both for products with and without stones.

What traditional methods for cleaning exist?

The safest and effective methods cleaning silver is considered folk. Let's consider several commonly used folk remedies:

• Raw potato mixture. Grate raw potatoes and mix them with a small amount of warm boiled water. Then we lower our earrings, chains or rings into this mixture for 30 minutes. After all the dirt has disappeared, dry the jewelry thoroughly and polish it with a piece of woolen cloth.
• Ethanol. Pour some alcohol into a glass or cup and soak our jewelry in it. Leave for a few minutes. Next, rinse with running water and dry the jewelry.
• Ammonia. In a cup of warm water, dilute one teaspoon of ammonia. Dip the rings into the solution. Then dry them with a paper towel.

These methods are very effective and time-tested.

Use of improvised means

If you do not have special cleaning products for precious metals and cannot purchase them, then you should use improvised means. They are no less effective than store-bought ones.

Let's look at a few basic available tools that are suitable for cleaning silver:

• Tooth powder or paste. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft toothbrush and use gentle movements to remove dirt from earrings or rings.
• Lipstick. Apply lipstick to all sides of the ring. Let it sit for a while, then remove the lipstick with a napkin.
• Eraser. You should thoroughly rub your eyebrow or earrings with a washing eraser. It will easily remove dark spots on the product.

Important! This method is not effective when cleaning finely woven chains.

• Soda. It is necessary to make a slurry from a small amount of water and soda (sour cream). Next, apply the mixture to a soft sponge and carefully clean your favorite jewelry.
• Salt. Place all the blackened jewelry in a plastic container and cover it with salt. Add detergent and a teaspoon of soda to it. Pour boiling water over it and let stand for about an hour. There will be no trace of dirt left.

These products can be found in every home. Therefore, if you are faced with the problem of contamination of silver items, do not rush to run to the store for expensive special products.

Gemstone cleaning

Before you clean silver jewelry with stones at home, you need to determine the density of the jewelry. The cleaning method directly depends on the density of the gem:

1. Sapphires and aquamarines have a fairly high density, so washing powder and warm water are used to clean them.
2. Moonstone, turquoise and malachite can be washed using a toothbrush with soft pile And laundry soap.
3. The safest cleaning agent for all types of gems is glycerin. Dip a cotton swab into the product and carefully treat the frame and the gem.
4. Apatites and agates are washed using regular alcohol and a cotton swab. Then you should polish the jewelry with a soft cloth.
5. Ivory has a very soft structure, so it is not recommended to use detergents that contain acidic or alkaline substances. It is advisable to keep the product in warm water and then dry it with a dry towel.

These simple tips will help avoid damage to your favorite jewelry.

How to clean silver with cubic zirconia, pearls and other stones?

The most reliable and effective way To combat the darkening of silver jewelry with pearls and cubic zirconia, use salt and water. In order for the cleaning process to be effective, it is necessary to perform the following algorithm of actions:

1. Place all silver jewelry in a cotton bag.
2. Sprinkle them with a little salt.
3. Prepare a bowl of warm water.
4. Dip the bag of jewelry in warm water.
5. Hold it until the salt dissolves.

This method has been used for decades, and it has never failed the owners of silver necklaces and rings.

Jewelry with inserts of mineral semi-precious stones

In order to thoroughly wash rings or earrings with mineral gems, you need to know the characteristics of each stone. Let's look at the main ways to clean mineral stones:

• It is recommended to clean emerald, opal and malachite in lukewarm water with the addition of liquid soap or shampoo.
• Topaz, ruby ​​and garnet can only be washed in water at room temperature, since such gemstones are not resistant to high temperatures.
• For all mineral gems, it is recommended to use the rubbing alcohol cleaning method.

Jewelry with inserts made from organic materials

If you love jewelry with inlays made from organic materials, there are a few things to consider: important rules when cleaning them:

1. The surface of gems made from organic materials is treated only with velvet.
2. Products must dry on their own. Not recommended for use paper napkins and terry towels.
3. In order to wash such jewelry, make a mixture of potato starch and warm water. Then the contaminated surface of the material is treated.
4. When removing contaminants from corals, you should not use water or water-based substances.

Every home will have some silver items. Unfortunately, this noble metal is sensitive to environmental influences. Products may turn yellow, black and even green, losing their sophisticated appearance. Learn how to clean silver at home to keep your jewelry, cutlery, antique coins and more looking like new. Decide when you can get by with improvised means and special liquids, and in which cases it is better to turn to specialists.

Jewelry includes a wide variety of products: smooth and openwork rings, rings with inserts of various stones, bracelets, chains, pendants, earrings. The compositions of the alloys from which these items are made may also be different. Accordingly, approaches to cleaning each type of product will differ. However, there are general recommendations for high-quality cleaning of silver items.

The silver has darkened

1. First of all, it is advisable to wash silver jewelry that has lost its chic to remove banal stains. To do this, soak them for two hours in a warm solution of soap or detergent, then clean hard-to-reach areas with a soft brush. Sometimes only this is enough to return the jewelry to a completely acceptable appearance.
2. For cleaning, do not use materials with abrasive particles, hard sponges, or brushes.
3. When using special jewelry cosmetics for silver, you should not overdo it: they contain a lot of strong “chemicals” that can harm your jewelry. You must follow the instructions.
4. When cleaning, you should not use rubber gloves: rubber contains sulfur, which causes silver to quickly darken. Nitrile gloves may be worn if necessary.
5. Regardless of the method used, cleaning should be completed by rinsing with warm water and drying with a soft cloth.
6. Silver items should not be left wet after washing: moisture is contraindicated for them, as stains will form on the surface.
7. It is better to entrust the cleaning of too dirty or very valuable silver items to a jeweler.
8. Having returned the jewelry to its original appearance, you should not put it on right away. You need to wait until a natural protective film has time to form on the surface. A few days are enough for this.

Clean without risk of damage

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How to restore shine to jewelry without inserts and stones

Silver rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets without inserts are easy to clean from dirt and dark deposits. Any of the methods described below are suitable for them. The main thing is not to forget that silver, especially jewelry (standard 925, 960), is a relatively soft metal, and cleaning it with coarse abrasives is unacceptable. This fact must be taken into account when choosing how to clean silver: after all, if you scratch the surface, you can lose the pleasure of using an elegant piece of jewelry.

Ring without inserts

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Ammonia - a hero in the purge

The most common and effective way to return jewelry to its enchanting shine is to use ammonia. You can choose any of the proposed recipes according to your taste (more precisely, according to your “smell”). In the first case you need:

1. Buy ammonia at the pharmacy (10%).
2. Place the jewelry to be cleaned in a glass container, pour a little undiluted alcohol into it so that it covers the products.
3. Leave for 15 minutes.
4. After this period of time, remove the silver from the dishes, rinse well with water, and dry.

Important: Ammonia solution has a very pungent odor. It is necessary to work with it in a ventilated room, on a balcony or outdoors. You should not bend low over a container with liquid: this can cause burns to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract in sensitive people.

It is important to wipe silver dry

The second recipe involves diluting ammonia and using additional components. To implement it, simple steps are required:

1. Add a tablespoon of ammonia to a jar filled with 250 ml of cold water.
2. After mixing the solution, add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and baby shampoo.
3. Immerse silver jewelry or cutlery that needs cleaning in the resulting “cocktail” for 15 minutes. If after this the appearance of the jewelry has not improved much, you can leave it for another 15 minutes. However, you should not keep it in the solution for more than an hour.
4. When a positive result becomes obvious, remove the improved items, rinse, wipe with a microfiber cloth and admire the result.

The third recipe for cleaning silver with your own hands also works effectively:

1. Mix tooth powder with ammonia solution to a pasty consistency. Instead of powder, you can use finely ground chalk.
2. Using a piece of cotton wool (cotton pad), apply the resulting paste to the silver item.
3. Leave for sufficient time for the cleaning mixture to dry.
4. Wipe the product with a dry soft cloth, then rinse and wipe dry.

Simple but effective “cleaners”

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Life hacks from the kitchen - cleaning silver without problems

In any kitchen, next to the housewife, there are a lot of affordable and effective cleaning products, sometimes completely unexpected. When silver rings or bracelets begin to unambiguously hint that it’s time to put them in order, you just have to look around - there’s an option for how to clean your silver at home.

You can name a number of liquids that will help restore jewelry to its original noble appearance:

• A good remedy for getting rid of plaque and mold is table vinegar (6%). Using it for this purpose is elementary. The vinegar should be slightly warmed, a small soft cloth, or a cotton pad, should be soaked in it, and the metal should be thoroughly wiped.
• If you mix 100 ml of the same vinegar with 50 g of baking soda and leave silver items in it for 2 hours, they will delight you with their shine.
• This “cleaner” can be fun to use, but it cleans metal remarkably well. You need to pour Coca-Cola into a saucepan, immerse the decorations that need cleaning into it, heat and boil the contents for 3-5 minutes.
• Tomato ketchup (surprisingly, isn't it?) is suitable for cleaning tarnished, smooth silver items. They need to be placed in a cup with ketchup for a few minutes, after which the remaining ketchup should be removed with a sponge or cloth.
• Another amazing remedy is the water left after boiling eggs. After cooling it to a warm state, place silver objects in water for 20 minutes; they can be easily cleaned.
• The hot broth left over after cooking jacket potatoes is also miraculously In a quarter of an hour, it removes plaque from the surface of silver items placed in it. The effect will be enhanced if you place a piece of foil on the bottom of the dish.
• Egg yolk helps clean silver items and protects them from further contamination. You just need to apply it to the surface, leave it until it dries, and then rinse off.

Yolk and potatoes will easily brighten silver

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Five handy tools from the kitchen and bathroom

Continuing the list of kitchen life hacks for cleaning silver at home, we should pay tribute to garlic peels. Some people collect it for later use in the garden. It will also help to cope with severe contamination of silver cutlery and coins if you prepare a concentrated decoction of the husks, dip the items in it and boil for 20-50 minutes (until the blackness disappears). The process will speed up if you add a tablespoon of salt per liter of broth.

Table salt itself is also a wonderful helper in ridding silver items of plaque. Moreover, it is always available in the kitchen, and the method of using it is simple. It consists in the following. You need to prepare a solution at the rate of: a teaspoon of salt per glass of water, and boil the darkened spoons or glasses in this composition for a quarter of an hour.

Garlic peel no need to throw it away

Baking soda is just as easy to use. Having poured it into a small container, you need to add a little water, bringing it to a paste-like state. With this paste you need to carefully wipe the surface of the product using a soft rag, napkin or toothbrush. If the paste collected on a rag turns black, it must be replaced, preventing the black from smearing over the surface of the product. In a few minutes the silver will sparkle.

When cleaning silver items, many housewives give priority to tooth powder or toothpaste. This simple method can be used, keeping in mind that the pastes must be of high quality and non-abrasive. Whitening, gel paste or paste with colored inclusions are not suitable in this case. To clean silver with this method, you don’t need any special skill: you need to act by analogy with soda (and without fanaticism!).

A woman will always find another tool that helps clean a ring or other small item in her own cosmetic bag. Just smear the surface with lipstick (not hygienic!) and wipe it well with a cotton pad - the blackness on the silver is gone!

Toothpaste is great for cleaning metal

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Several original ways to clean silver

There are already many options for cleaning silver from blackness at home. But not fewer ways can also be called: in any business, reserves folk wisdom inexhaustible. We recommend using several methods:

1. Place the shell of a raw egg in a small saucepan, add 500 ml of water, add a teaspoon of salt. Bring the contents to a boil, remove from heat. Immerse the products that need cleaning in this “broth”. In just a minute you can admire the updated decorations or cutlery.
2. Dilute citric acid (100 g) in 700 ml of water, place the container with the solution in a water bath. Place a piece of copper wire and silver objects at the bottom. Soak for half an hour in a water bath.
3. Spray the silver with window cleaning liquid and wipe with a soft cloth.
4. Place the product in yogurt for a few minutes.

Lipstick - and the dark coating is gone

The next method deserves more detailed consideration. It is not much more complicated than the previous ones, but at the same time it acts quickly and incredibly effectively. The method is based on the use food foil, there are several options.

The first method of cleaning silver with foil (for light stains):

1. Prepare a glass of water, a piece of foil the size of your palm, a teaspoon of salt or its mixture with soda.
2. Tear the foil into pieces, put it in water, add salt.
3. Stir everything until the salt dissolves.
4. Immerse decorations in the solution.
5. A quarter of an hour is enough to achieve the result.

You can see how effective the use of foil is by watching the video.

Video: How to clean silver at home

Another method (for deeply soiled jewelry):

1. Line a small container with foil and place silver jewelry on it in one layer.
2. Sprinkle the products with baking soda.
3. Pour boiling water or potato broth until the liquid covers the silver.
4. Watch for 3-5 minutes as the miracle process takes place, as a result of which the jewelry will literally become new and can be removed.

Cleaning silver using foil

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How to clean a silver chain

Of all silver jewelry, chains are especially susceptible to the blackening process, since they are in the greatest contact with the human body. Due to their relief, dirt accumulates more strongly and is less accessible to action than plaque on a smooth ring or bracelet. At first glance, the cleaning procedure for these products seems too complicated. In fact, when cleaning silver at home, chains do not cause much trouble.

Darkened silver chain

Almost all the methods presented above are applicable to cleaning such jewelry. Additionally, it is worth considering a couple of methods for cleaning chains with very high level pollution. The first of them is removing blackness with citric acid:

1. Pour 500 ml of water into a stainless steel bowl.
2. Dissolve a package of citric acid (100 g) in water.
3. Place the chain in the acidic solution.
4. Boil for 5-10 minutes, leave for half an hour.
5. Remove the product from the solution and rinse under the tap. In this case, you can notice that the silver has noticeably brightened, but there is no shine. The procedure should be continued.
6. Pour 100 ml of water into a plastic bottle (for example, after liquid soap), add 30 ml of detergent.
7. Place the chain in this container, screw on the lid and shake vigorously for 5-10 minutes.
8. Remove the shining chain, rinse and wipe dry.

Important: The described method cannot be used to clean blackened products: the acid, along with the contaminants, will remove the blackening.

The chain shines after cleaning

Now about how to clean it at home silver chain ammonia:

1. Pour 500 ml of water and 50 ml of detergent into a stainless steel container.
2. Dip the silver chain into the solution.
3. Boil for up to 10 minutes.
4. Add ammonia solution (10-20 ml), leave for 15 minutes.
5. Remove the chain and wash it.
6. Repeat steps 6-8 from the previous recipe.
7. The boiling and holding processes can be lengthened depending on the degree of blackening of the product. If cleaning is not sufficient, it is recommended to repeat it.

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Silver has turned yellow - what to do

So far we have been talking about the darkening (blackening) of silver, which most often occurs from exposure to sulfur contained in human sweat and environment. But sometimes a very unsightly yellow coating appears on silver jewelry, which is difficult to get rid of. The culprits may be substances from the halogen group. At home it is usually iodine. And when visiting a swimming pool, chlorine can be harmful if it is used to disinfect the water.

The silver has turned yellow

To remove yellowness from a silver item, cover it with grated raw potatoes. Under the influence of the starch contained in it, iodine stains will change color, acquire a bluish tint to match the color of silver and become invisible. For this purpose, you can use ready-made starch by sprinkling it on the silver.

You can also try to clean the yellowed product in a soap solution:

• Prepare 200 ml of liquid soap solution in water.
• Add a teaspoon of ammonia to it and stir.
• Dip the silver into this mixture and leave for half an hour.
• Remove the jewelry, clean with toothpaste, powder or baking soda (the methods are described above).
• Rinse with water, dry with a soft cloth.

Exquisite jewelry with stones

If the use of home remedies does not produce results, you should resort to using special cleaning products for silver. These are, for example, the domestic “FLUR”, the Italian Silbo, and its German analogue Dipping Bath for Silver. Such compositions must be used strictly according to the instructions.

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Features of caring for certain types of silver products

Having understood the numerous methods of cleaning silver, it is necessary to pay attention to some types of products made from this metal that require special approach. These are objects with coatings and finishes various types, as well as jewelry with stones.

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How to update jewelry with stones

When planning to clean silver items with stones, you need to take care of the safety of the latter. It should be noted that stones are used to decorate not only jewelry, but also various accessories, decorative items, and dishes. In this case, care methods should be used sparingly, taking into account both the properties of the metal and the characteristics of the stones. It will not be possible to list them all, but it is important to mention some:

• Aquamarine, emerald, sapphire have a high density. Almost any cleaning method is not harmful to them. But if the stones are not secured in the frame with claws, but are glued, soaking them in liquid (especially hot) is contraindicated: the jewelry may come off.
• Stones such as turquoise, moonstone, malachite, opal are not so dense - use mechanical cleaning leads to scratches on their surface. For them you should choose mild detergents and baths.
• Garnet, ruby, topaz do not tolerate hot water - from elevated temperature their color changes.
• Stones of organic origin require especially careful handling: coral, pearls, amber. Due to their exceptional sensitivity to alkalis and acids, it is advisable to entrust the cleaning of these materials to specialists.

It is important to consider the properties of the stone

In general, if possible, it is better to give any silver items with stones to professionals for cleaning, or use special compounds sold in jewelry stores. Jewelry cosmetics reliably remove dirt and cover products with a protective layer that prevents them from oxidizing in the future. Experts recommend the brands Leuchtturm, Aladdin, the already mentioned Silbo, Talisman.

But if the urge to do things yourself is irresistible, try this home method:

1. Rub laundry soap.
2. Add a little water and 5-7 drops of ammonia.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil (do not boil!).
4. After cooling the composition, apply it to the metal with a soft brush and rub.
5. Remove darkening around the stone with moistened with the same product. cotton swab.

Silver jewelry with pearls

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How to make pearl jewelry shine

For jewelry with pearls to look presentable, they require very careful systematic care. The simplest way to clean such products from contamination is to “bathe” them in a warm foam bath. To do this you need:

1. Prepare a washing solution from 200 ml of heated water and a teaspoon of shampoo (liquid soap).
2. After immersing the products in the liquid, leave for an hour.
3. After removing from the bath, rub the openwork parts with a cotton swab or soft brush.
4. Wash the jewelry, dry with velvet cloth or flannel.

The native element of pearls is salty sea water. You can pamper him with a spa treatment with salt:

1. Place silver jewelry with pearls on linen or cotton fabric, sprinkle thickly with salt (not iodized!).
2. Tie the fabric with its contents into a tight knot.
3. Fill a basin or large bowl with water at room temperature.
4. Rinse the bundle in water until the salt dissolves.
5. Rinse, dry, and enjoy the result: this water procedure will remove the blackness from silver and the yellowness from pearls, returning the product to its original appearance.

Rhodium plated silver item

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Subtleties of caring for rhodium-plated silver

Rhodium plating is the application of a protective layer of the noble metal rhodium (platinum group) to a silver product. Thanks to this coating, silver items become more durable and do not turn black, since the rhodium layer is not subject to oxidation. Special cleaning liquids for silver and the cleaning methods presented above are not suitable for cleaning such products, and there is no need for them.

To regularly clean rhodium-plated silver, using a soap solution and a soft cloth will suffice. It is also worth taking advantage of the offered jewelry stores wipes for the care of rhodium-plated silver. They are impregnated with special compounds. Simply by wiping a rhodium-plated ring or bracelet with such a napkin, you can admire its shine, pleasing to the eye. Wipes are especially convenient for caring for silver watches.

The main concern of the owner of rhodium-plated earrings and chains is not cleaning them, but protecting the protective layer from damage. Rhodium does not withstand exposure to sweat and sebum- you need to remove jewelry covered with it at night, as well as when going to the gym, bathhouse, sauna. You should not put the protective coating at risk when washing dishes or washing clothes; let your favorite things spend this time in the box.

Silver glass holder with gold plated

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How to return gilded silver to its original appearance

Caring for gold-plated items does not cause much trouble; the methods for cleaning gold plate are as follows:

1. A slightly dirty product should only be wiped with dry suede.
2. More contaminated items should be wiped with a cotton swab soaked in turpentine or alcohol.
3. You can dip a gold-plated item in a vinegar solution (dissolve 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a liter of water). After keeping the item to be cleaned in this liquid for a quarter of an hour, rinse it and wipe it with a suede cloth.
4. Truly folk way: immerse gold-plated silver jewelry in a container with beer, hold for half an hour, then rinse thoroughly and polish with suede.
5. It is useful to periodically polish the gilding with a piece of suede or flannel moistened with egg yolk or the same beer. By the way, rhodium plating will also like it.
6. Gray stains from gilding are removed with ammonia.
7. Helps clean gilding on small items lipstick, but you shouldn’t overdo it: lipstick is still an abrasive, albeit a very gentle one.
8. You can add shine to gilding by wiping the surface of a cleaned and cut onion, and then polishing it with suede.

Blackened silver jewelry

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Proper care of blackened silver

Black is a clear dark pattern on a light background; blackened products look noble. But if you decide to clean silver at home, there is a risk of causing irreparable harm to such jewelry. If the light areas have darkened, it is difficult to clean such silver. It is unacceptable to use abrasives, boiling, or ammonia - all these methods will inevitably lead to the destruction of the cellulose. However, the following methods will work:

• Prepare a soap solution with the addition of a pinch of salt and immerse the items that require cleaning in it. Wait 15-20 minutes, rinse and dry the cleaned items.
• Place chopped raw potatoes in the water, lower the items to be peeled into the water, and let stand for 4 hours. Rinse and dry the silver.

Silver plate

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How to wash silverware

Silverware and cutlery for the most part do not have inlay. Any methods recommended for silver items without stones are suitable for cleaning them. Ammonia, potato broth, salt, and soda are also suitable... there are countless ways to do this. It is worth taking a closer look at another option for using soda in relation to cleaning silverware. To implement it you need to do the following:

1. Prepare an old aluminum pan. If there is none, line the bottom and walls of any pan with baking foil.
2. Place silver cutlery in a container.
3. Add baking soda, sparingly.
4. Pour in water until it covers the silver completely.
5. Cover the top with a sheet of foil.
6. Place the pan on the fire, wait until it boils and immediately turn off the heat.
7. Leave the container with the contents for 20 minutes, after which remove the silver, rinse, wipe and enjoy its transformation.

Transforming Silverware with Baking Soda and Foil

You have studied many ways to clean silver at home, you can test them in practice and make sure that sometimes it is useful not only to understand the brands of special cleaning products for silver jewelry, but also to be able to properly use the materials at hand. However, before checking the proposed options in practice, it is better to consult with specialists so as not to risk a valuable item for the sake of possible savings.