Silver jewelry, like any other jewelry, tends to darken and get dirty over time when worn for a long time. It often happens that rings, pendants, earrings darken or even acquire a green tint. This happens due to the chemical composition of silver, which may contain various impurities and components. Accordingly, they each react to various substances in their own way.
How often should you clean silver?
It is quite difficult to determine how often silver jewelry should be cleaned, since the frequency depends on how often it is worn, how carefully it is stored, and other factors. It is natural that someone who does not wear jewelry every day, but only on special occasions, can limit themselves to cleaning once a year, while those who wear silver without taking it off have to do it every couple months.
What agents are most commonly used to clean silver?
Darkening and green tint can be removed with specialized products, detergents and even food products. Among them, there are those that are most commonly used.
Soda and foil
This method allows you to effectively clean the surface of silver items, pushing dirt out even from hard-to-reach places. This is possible due to the chemical reaction that aluminum foil and soda enter into when hot water is added. A small container is covered with aluminum foil, silver is placed on the bottom, then sprinkled with baking soda in a proportion 40g per 1 liter of water – it is poured into the container, after which the container is placed over fire. Silver is boiled for 10-20 minutes, then clean, albeit hot, silver items are removed from the solution. It is enough to rinse them under running water and dry. This method is used as often as necessary, sometimes with additional polishing.
Saline solution
Another common option for those who want to make silver jewelry clean and shiny again. You will need a teaspoon of salt per one glass of water. In this solution, the silver is also boiled in a small pan for 20 minutes.
Ammonia
To clean silver in this way, you will need a small jar with a sealable lid. Ammonia is poured into it so that the silver piece is completely covered. Then the jar is closed and left for about 20 minutes. After that just rinse and dry the cleaned jewelry.
Ammonia can also be mixed with hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Thus, it is possible to obtain another, no less effective means to clean silver. You will need to use the same algorithm.
Lemon
In this case, the jewelry must be boiled in water mixed with citric acid or lemon juice. The required effort is minimal, but it is important to understand that if there is old dirt or significant darkening, this solution to the problem needs to be replaced with something more effective.
Traditional white toothpaste
Another effective method for cleaning silver from plaque. It is enough to apply a small amount of toothpaste to a clean cloth and rub the silver item until clean. Then rinse it with water. The toothpaste cannot be a transparent gel – only the “classic” white will do the job. Tooth powder can be used in a similar way – it is enough to soak it in little water first, turning it into a paste, but in this case you will have to act more carefully due to the presence of abrasive particles in the powder itself, which can scratch the jewelry, and it will have to be additionally polished.
And these are far from all the methods that can be used to return the former shine to a jewelry piece. The process of cleaning silver is not so complicated, and this procedure does not take much time. If you are looking for stylish high quality silver jewelry, take a look at https://islandsoul.us/. Our catalog contains exquisite products that will easily complement your image and retain their shine for a long time.
