Silver products require periodic maintenance, as over time this metal darkens, becomes covered with plaque and black spots. This is especially true with jewelry that comes into contact with the skin, such as silver chains. They oxidize and tarnish very quickly.
Silver does not like moisture and cosmetic creams. How to clean a silver chain at home? First you need to determine whether silver has impurities of other metals. This happens if it is of low quality. The most common is an alloy of silver and copper. If such a product begins to become dirty, then a greenish coating appears. It can only be removed with a special cleaning solution.
How to clean a silver chain at home?
If the product is not very dirty, it is possible to use improvised materials available in the house for cleaning.
Try putting toothpaste on the silver and rubbing it with a soft brush or even with your hands. After rubbing the product well, rinse it in plenty of water.
Ammonia not only cleans plaque, but also adds shine. This waysuitable for cleaning silverware, as there is no chance of scratching the product. It is necessary to dissolve two tablespoons of ammonia in a liter of water, it would also be nice to add hydrogen peroxide. Silver is placed in the resulting solution and kept in it for some time. Then the products are wiped dry with a soft cloth.
For complex and small items, there is a special recipe for how to clean silver. A chain, for example, due to its weaving, is sometimes difficult to wipe off a dark coating. Mix ammonia, toothpaste or powder in equal proportions, dilute with water. With this abrasive composition, carefully process the chain along the entire length. Rinse well after this cleaning.
If drastic cleaning is required, sodium hyposulfite, used in photo development, will do. Silver is washed in its solution, rubbing the blackened places with a soft cloth. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
How to clean a silver chain at home without resorting to strong compounds? There is a slightly different way. A little water is poured into the metal foil, s alt, soda are added and the decoration is simply placed in this mixture for 30 minutes. The dark coating disappears by itself.
Attention: all these methods are absolutely not suitable for pearl jewelry. In general, one should be very careful when choosing how to clean silver jewelry if it contains gems.
Is it possible to avoid darkening of silver
In order not to be tormented by the question of how to clean a silver chainat home, try to prevent exposure that causes oxidation. Take off your jewelry every time you are going to do housework, take a shower or put on cream. If contact with moisture does occur, wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Store silver jewelry separately from each other. Store your silverware wrapped in foil to prevent discolouration.