How to clean silver? Tips for caring for silver jewelry

Once upon a time, a popular myth was that the blackening of silver jewelry was due to the illness of the person who wears it, either poor quality silver or its fake. Today it is known that this is not the case, and the chemical reaction between real silver and sulfur compounds present in the air is responsible for the appearance of unwanted plaque. Fortunately, there are easy ways to clean silver cheaply and effectively.

How to clean silver jewelry? Basic Rules 

Of course, silver can be returned to a jeweler who, in addition to selling jewelry, also specializes in cleaning it - such services are offered by the vast majority of establishments. Then, however, you will have to reckon with parting with earrings, a bracelet, a pendant or a watch for a longer period, depending on how long the queues to the specialist will be. You will cope much faster with the removal of black plaque on your own, without leaving your home and without overpaying for the service.

Fortunately, silver is very easy to clean, but be aware that it is a relatively delicate material. It does not show high resistance to scratches or abrasion, so special attention should be paid to the choice of silver care and cleaning products. What to remember?

What can not be cleaned silver, what to avoid? 

As already mentioned, silver jewelry can be scratched. Therefore, when cleaning, avoid sharp or hard-edged objects such as metal wire, scouring brushes, and hard-bristled toothbrushes. Absolutely avoid using solutions such as prying or scraping off a coarse layer of dirt with a razor blade or rubbing with coarse sandpaper or a nail file - either of these can lead to a distinct scratch on the surface of the jewelry. If you need to polish silver, use a special polisher for this purpose.

Before cleaning, silver should be thoroughly soaked. It is important to note that metal bowls or pots should not be used to dip silver jewelry because an unwanted chemical reaction can occur between the elements. So how do you clean silver? Which cleaning products, bowls and cleaners to choose?

How to clean silver with professional preparations? 

The easiest way to get rid of black deposits from silver jewelry is to use a special preparation for cleaning and caring for silver. Such products not only dissolve unsightly plaque, but also polish the metal, protecting it from further blackening. The latter property is associated with the anti-oxidation effect of silver, thanks to which you can enjoy its beautiful appearance longer. An example of such a preparation is the Starwax brand of solid silver products (including cutlery, crockery and jewelry).

How to clean silver with this tool? Just pour the right amount (indicated on the packaging) into a plastic or glass container and leave the jewelry immersed in it for about 2 minutes. After this time, drain the silver from the liquid and wipe it with a soft absorbent cloth, such as microfiber. Things should be immediately clean and shiny.

An alternative solution is the Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops, which come in a set with a special spoon, cleaning brush and container. In the case of this set, pour warm water into the container, add about 10 drops of the drug to it and place the jewelry on the spoon provided. With it, it is enough to dip the chain or bracelet into the solution, leave for about 30 seconds, and then remove, rinse with water and, if necessary, clean with the supplied brush.

And if you also have silver jewelry with precious stones in your collection, try the possibilities of a special marker for cleaning them. A sample of the product can be found in the connoisseur offering - Diamond Dazzle Stik. With it, it is enough to apply the preparation with which it is impregnated on the stone requiring care, leave for about 1 minute and rinse under water.

How to clean silver at home? 

Ready-made cleaning products are the easiest answer to the question of how and with what to clean silver. However, if you need to wash your favorite piece of jewelry “bye”, then life-saving silver cleaning methods at home will come in handy. In their case, you probably already have all the necessary items in the apartment, but remember that these are emergency methods and will not protect this metal from further oxidation.

The first homemade ingredient that works great for cleaning silver is a solution made from regular baking soda. It is enough to dissolve it in water until a paste-like consistency is obtained (try the ratio of 3 teaspoons of soda to 1 teaspoon of water) and apply to the jewelry, then leave for about an hour, or you can also rub it gently. toothbrush with soft bristles. The second way is to soak your jewelry in a solution of half a cup of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. In this case, leave the silver in this liquid for about 3 hours, then rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth.

As you can see, the ways to clean silver at home are really simple and require a minimum of effort. However, it is worth having a specialized agent on hand who will work much faster, so they will help you even just before, for example, an important trip.

Also check out other tips available in the Passions tutorials.

/ Andrey Cherkasov