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 analyzing the question of how to clean a 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 wearable, 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 happens when it is exposed to water vapor and oxygen atoms.
The time of the oxidative reaction depends on external environmental factors, the composition of human sweat, the number of contacts of the product with cosmetics. Swimming in a chlorinated pooldarkens 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, contact the workshop. At home, you can use proven methods, which will be discussed later.
General rules
Silver, like other precious metals, needs cleaning. 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 stains are difficult to clean and require more aggressive products containing an abrasive that is undesirable.
If even a slight yellowing and darkening of silver occurs, wash it with cool soapy water. You can add some soda. Chains are cleaned only with a brush with soft bristles. But it should be only natural pile, as it damages the coating less.
For 925 sterling silver, it is better not to use homemade cleaners. Special liquids are needed to keep the jewelry physically intact.
To make the metal shine, use lemon juice and hot water. Dry products with paper towels and soft tissues. For polishing, suede, flannel or woolen cloth is used. After cleaning, jewelry should not be worn 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. ATmoisten the sponge with it and carefully process the cross. This completes the cleaning procedure: after it, the product takes on a new look.
Baking soda
How to clean a blackened silver cross so that it is not taken 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 placed in the finished composition and left for an hour. Then it should be removed, rinsed under running water and wiped with a soft cloth. Powdered 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 turned black, how to clean it at home? 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 hydrogen peroxide only if you are sure of the composition of the product. A cross that does not have a factory sample and is created with various impurities may be damaged. It will not be possible to return it to its previous form.
Citric 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 coolwater and wipe 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 must be rinsed and dried.
Ammonia
How to clean a silver cross to return it to its original form? To prepare the solution, you need 1 tbsp. l. ammonia, which is mixed with soapy water (1 liter). Soap should be laundry (without fragrances and cosmetic additives).
The product is lowered into the finished mixture and kept for 10-15 minutes. Then the cross is wiped, wetting the napkin in this composition, and then rinsed with cool water.
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 is removed and the silver is washed.
Toothpaste
To remove blackness from silver, a small amount of paste and a toothbrush are used. Metal must be carefully processed. The brush should have soft bristles. This will help prevent scratches and abrasions on the surface of the product.
Table s alt
To obtain a solution, s alt (2 tablespoons) is added to water (1 glass). The mixture should be brought to a boil and a cross should be placed in it. After 5 minutes, the product is taken out and washed with warm water.
Cleaning recommendations
Working with silver, no needuse gold cleaners. These metals have different compositions, so different purification methods are needed. Silver should not be left wet after processing. Because of this, the surface quickly becomes cloudy after drying.
You need to be careful when wiping silverware. Even soft and delicate to the touch material leaves abrasions and stripes on the metal surface. This is especially true for polished glossy surfaces. For these purposes, soft table napkins are used. Wipe with the front side only.
If there are precious stones on the cross, you should not clean the house. This spoils the appearance of the stone. Silver should be stored separately from medications and rubber items, as it reacts with their constituents. 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 flannel. Because of this, the villi will get stuck in the pattern. You need soft paper towels. Their remains can be blown off or removed with a paint brush.
If you have precious stones, you need to buy special products Leuchtturm or Silver quick. They are sold in jewelry stores and clean jewelry very well. To do this, the product is placed with a ready-made solution and left there for a while. The exposure time should be viewed on the packaging. The disadvantage of this method is only the 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 bestore correctly. Silver should be kept in separate closed boxes - cases, caskets. The room must be dry. If the jewelry will not be used for a long time, it should be washed with soapy water, dried and wrapped in flannel, foil or parchment.
Do not allow metal to come into contact with drugs, food, household chemicals, plastic, rubber. It is advisable to remove the products before applying cosmetics, taking a shower, bathing in the bathroom, sea, pool, sauna.
Do not clean them to avoid the ingress of detergents. If the product is wet or dirty, wipe it dry with a cloth. Jewelry with proper care and high-quality cleaning will last a long time. Using effective home methods ensures great results.
With the help of proper and regular care, the silver product acquires shine, freshness and aesthetics. It retains its attractive appearance for a long time.
