Proper cleaning of the chain from blackening at home

Silver suits most people, does not cause allergies and looks beautiful on the skin. But over time, a person notices that a cross, chain or ring has turned black, began to look less attractive. The interaction of sweat, water, and other liquids with silver causes a darkening, which is normal. Wanting to improve the condition of the jewelry, people think about how to clean the silver chain at home.

Preparing the chain for cleaning

Air and moisture constantly affect the metal, changing its appearance. The attractiveness of the chain is reduced if it begins to blacken. It is impossible to avoid this, but it is really possible to keep the jewelry shiny for a long time if you clean it in a timely manner.

Important information! The blackness of silver is not dangerous and only has aesthetic flaws.

The chain does not require complex preparation, it is enough:

1. Remove pendants and other additional jewelry from the chain.
2. If there is film on the chain, remove it with a cloth.
3. Wash the product with soap and running water.

Cleaning will now be faster and easier. At home, washing and lightening the chain will not be difficult, especially since there are a lot of options for this.

How and what can you clean a silver chain at home

Silver items can darken almost immediately, or they can remain bright for years, retaining their luster. It is difficult to predict or explain it. But if the chain needs cleaning, then do not tighten. It is much easier to clean up black deposits when they first appear than to remove stubborn blackening. There are different ways to clean a silver chain, and they all involve the use of available tools.

Important! Before using any product to remove dirt and blackness from the product, wear gloves to protect your hands.

Coca Cola or Sprite

These sodas have long been known for their aggressive effects. Using them to remove scale, grease or lighten silver is more rational than ingesting them. Cleaning the chain with a cola or sprite shows good results, because there is a chemical process. The acid eats away even stubborn dirt, and then it easily comes off the jewelry.

What do we have to do:

1. Take a small, clean container.
2. Rinse it with water and pour in about 100 ml of soda.
3. Place the chain in a container and leave for an hour, or maybe 3-4 hours (depending on the intensity of the pollution).
4. Drain the liquid and remove the chain.
5. Rinse the product under running water.
6. Place on a napkin or towel.
7. Blot and let dry until the end.

The advantage of this method is that nothing will happen to the chain, even if you leave it in the soda overnight. A chemical reaction occurs only when it comes into contact with the plaque, and the jewelry itself does not affect or spoil.

Foil

You can clean the silver chain with foil, water and soda:

1. Place foil on the bottom in a small saucepan.
2. Put the product down.
3. Cover with two tablespoons of baking soda.
4. Pour in water so that it completely covers the chain.
5. Boil the solution for 10 minutes.
6. When finished, rinse the chain under cold water.
7. Pat dry with a towel.

It is good to use this method when there is little time, it works quickly and efficiently.

Toothpaste

When choosing how to clean a silver chain at home, do not forget about toothpaste, because everyone always has it. Only paste should be used for these purposes without dyes and additives, ordinary white. To clean the product, you will also need a soft toothbrush with fine fibers. Squeeze the paste onto the brush, place the chain in the palm of your hand and start rubbing. Make circular motions, up and down, but do not press hard. Pay attention to each link, it will take 5-10 minutes to clean. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry.

Note! Toothpaste can be used just as well as a substitute for toothpaste. Its effect is exactly the same, and it is cheap. Therefore, you can specially purchase a small jar if a person uses colored toothpaste in everyday life.

Crushed chalk

The well-known crushed chalk mixed with ammonia will help to bleach the chain. Mix the two ingredients into a gruel with a toothbrush and start brushing the links. You can also use a dish sponge or heavy cloth. Put the mixture on top of them, then chain and start rubbing between your palms. At the end of the procedure, wash the chain well. Let it dry in the fresh air.

Salt

Common table salt is also found in every home. Many housewives use it to remove dirt from the dishes (traces of welding, scale, grease, etc.). Its ability to cleanse any dirt has been known for a long time. And the advantage of using it is that the speed of the process is almost lightning fast. Five minutes and the product will shine again. You can use dry or wet method to bleach the chain.

1. The dry method involves pouring salt onto a cloth and pulling the chain through it, pressing it tightly with your hand. It is necessary to repeat the action a couple of times until dark marks on the fabric no longer remain.
2. The wet method involves making a slurry from salt and water and cleaning the chain with a brush. At the end of the process (no matter which method the person chooses), the chain is rinsed and laid out on a napkin.

Important! Learn that mechanical friction will occur. In order not to damage the jewelry, do not apply great efforts, otherwise scratches are guaranteed.

Baking soda

Soda is able to whiten not only jewelry, but also remove a layer of scale from teapots and fat from pans. And after such a manipulation, they all sparkle with unprecedented power. The algorithm of actions is similar to the method with table salt. To make a silver chain easier to whiten, put it in water with baking soda for 15 minutes beforehand. 100 ml of water contains 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and adding citric acid in the amount of 1 teaspoon will speed up and improve the process.

Ammonia

The ammonia smells terrible, so before using it it is better to open a window or do it on the balcony. What you need:

1. Pour about 2-3 tablespoons of ammonia into a small container (glass, glass, deep saucer).
2. Dip the silver chain into the product.
3. Cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove the chain and wash with water and liquid soap.
5. Dry with a soft towel.

Important information! Do not keep the product in ammonia for more than half an hour, and do not go into the container with your bare hands. Take a couple of minutes to rinse so that there is no unpleasant smell.

How to polish

Polishing a silver chain is needed when it has not only darkened, but has lost its original beauty. To polish the product, you will need to buy a special cream, gel or spray. They are inexpensive, but they are enough for many times. How to use:

1. Apply the liquid to the supplied cloth.
2. Slowly and smoothly run it along the chain, only down and up. It is not necessary to rub the polish in a circular motion with pressure.
3. Rinse the silver chain in water.
4. Dry with a soft cloth.

You need to polish a silver piece only when necessary, when it no longer shines. In other cases, preventive cleaning by the above methods is sufficient.

Additional Information! Read the instructions carefully before polishing your silver chain. Follow the directions carefully to avoid damaging the product.

How to fix a silver chain

People usually trust craftsmen to repair jewelry. But there are those who want to fix the silver chain on their own at home. This can be done realistically, only you need to first understand the causes of the breakdown. If the links flew out, for some reason the material began to crumble, then it is better to trust a specialist.

Algorithm of actions when working with a soldering iron:

1. Wash the silver chain well and remove any visible dirt.
2. Aim the fine-tip soldering iron at the link junction.
3. Set the temperature above 180 degrees to start the melting process.
4. Once the joints are well warmed up, place the flux-based solder on them.
5. From the side of the chain, point the soldering iron at the solder, making sure that it is evenly distributed over the surface.
6. Leave the silver piece to cool.
7. Sand the roughness with sandpaper.

The chain must be repaired carefully, observing all safety rules. It is better to work with a mask and special gloves. This technique is useful for one-time and simple breakdowns. But from constant repairs, the chain can soon simply break in several places. Therefore, if you see that the problem is global, do not try to fix it yourself. It is best to give the piece of jewelry to a professional.

Silver chain blackening prevention

Every person can turn black a silver chain. To avoid this, follow these simple tips:

• Take off the product before going to the shower, bath, sauna.
• Do not swim in the salt sea with the chain.
• Whenever you remove the chain, wipe it down with a flannel cloth.
• Do not store silver, gold jewelry and costume jewelry together.
• Place the chain in a jewelry box upholstered with a soft cloth to keep it free from dust.
• Clean the product every 2-3 months for preventive purposes.

Important! You can also coat the chain with clear nail polish or sprinkle with hairspray. When the layer is dry, you can put on the product. So it will absorb less sweat and dirt.

Silver jewelry is not picky about its care.To keep them in perfect condition, it is enough to regularly use home remedies. Then a beautiful appearance and durability are guaranteed for many years.

VIDEO: How to clean silver at home.