How to Clean a Silver Chain That Turned Black
Silver jewelry is a timeless fashion that has been around for thousands of years. Today's silver jewelry is more durable because most of it is actually sterling silver, which is only 92.5 percent silver (the rest is copper, zinc or nickel). Silver is often made into chains, which come in many different textures, styles and finishes--sometimes making the silver look like white gold. However, the main problem with a silver chain is that it tarnishes--or turns black--over time. There are many different methods of cleaning your silver chain, and they can thankfully be performed using many different household products. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Toothpaste Toothbrush Cloth Baking soda Salt Aluminum foil Pan Silver polish
Instructions
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Use a toothbrush to clean your chain with white toothpaste. Rinse completely with warm water and rub with a soft cloth to shine. (Use the kind of cloth you would use to clean your glasses or computer screen.)
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Create a paste with baking soda and water and scrub your chain with a toothbrush. Rinse and rub clean with a cloth when you are done. You can also mix water and baking soda in a bowl so that it is still a liquid (not a paste) and let the chain soak for 5 minutes. Rinse and then rub with a cloth to polish.
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Clean your silver chain with aluminum foil, baking soda and salt. Put some aluminum foil, your silver chain and a couple of inches of water at the bottom of a pan. Add 2 tsp. of salt and 2 tsp. of baking soda; bring it to a boil and let it boil for a few minutes. Remove your chain, rinse, and buff with a soft cloth. This method of cleaning may work best if your chain is tightly woven and you're having a hard time getting into all of the nooks and crannies.
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Use a silver polish to clean your silver chain. Follow the directions on the packaging. Usually, you soak the chain or clean it with a cloth or small brush.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use an electric toothbrush in the scrubbing procedures.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.sxc.hu/photo/10044
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
my silver knick knacks turned whit when I soak in silver cleaner. what should I do to make ethem like before?
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chand1604
Apr 24, 2009
i wanted to wear silver to a friend's wedding tomorow but my silver jewellery had turned black :( Soaking delicate silver jewellery for a few minutes in warm water with baking soda worked like a charm! Thanks a lot! they look NEW now! -
mschessycat
Apr 15, 2009
Con't. and filtered water will work best to clean with. Rinse in filtered water then dry. Polish with a soft polishing clothe.
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mschessycat
Apr 15, 2009
Con't. and filtered water will work best to clean with. Rinse in filtered water then dry. Polish with a soft polishing clothe.
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mschessycat
Apr 15, 2009
Use filtered water when cleaning any jewelry. Chlorine in tap water is very damaging to all jewelry. You shouldn't use toothpaste, baking soda/rouge to clean any jewelry, it can/will scratch it. A mild soap, Woolite/Ivory
