Cleaning of silver with ammonia in domestic conditions

Refined silver jewelry, luxury cutlery - all this often becomes real family relics or simply a favorite decoration. However, one way or another, with the passage of time, the appearance of silverware changes. Their color changes, and the beauty dims, and they no longer seem so inviting as before. Is there any way to improve the situation? Many believe that an excellent way is to clean silver with ammonia. Is it really effective? Should I resort to it? This is discussed in this article.

Why the color of silver changes

Despite the fact that such a noble metal as silver is resistant to a variety of corrosive media (for example, alkalis and organic acids), nevertheless some substances still react with it and change the color of silver products. For example, hydrogen sulphide actively interacts with silver. An element, such as sulfur, is often a component of most cosmetics and many drugs. Also, the color of silver can be affected by human sweat, namely the same sulfur that enters it. However, in people whose health is stronger, silver does not darken so quickly. Why? Their sweat contains more nitrogen.

Popular ways to clean silver items

To clean silver products use a variety of different substances. Among the popular folk remedies for cleaning silver are the following: detergents, soda, tooth powder or pasta, salt, soda, lipstick, garlic husk, egg shell, vinegar, potato broth and citric acid.

Especially popular is the cleaning of silverware with ammonia. Probably, this is due to the wide availability of this product for cleaning and the incredible convenience of the process.

There are also professional tools for this purpose, which perfectly, efficiently and safely purify the silver. As a rule, their use is considered the most preferable.

Cleaning of silver with ammonia

It is important to remember that in no case should silver be cleaned with too hard fabrics or with rough brushes that could damage or scratch the surface of the product.

Cleaning of silver with liquid ammonia by one's own strength is an absolutely simple process. Everyone can successfully cope with it. Despite the fact that this method is considered one of the most effective, it is contraindicated for gilded silver and ornaments, in which pearls are encrusted. Also, with caution, you should use this method in relation to jewelry with inserts of stones.

There are several different ways to demonstrate how to clean silver with ammonia. It is necessary to familiarize with each of them, evaluate potential risks and choose a suitable recipe for yourself.

Jewelry and cutlery

This method is the simplest. Cleaning of silver with ammonia (10%) is carried out as follows. You just need to soak the silver in alcohol for a short time (no more than ten minutes), and then you must thoroughly rinse with water, gently dry and polish to a shine.

Ammonium alcohol and dental powder

This method will be ideal for cleaning table silver. Cleaning the silver at home with ammonia and tooth powder has gained its popularity because of the extraordinary brilliance that the product acquires due to the correct cleaning process. The working solution should consist of five parts of water, two parts of ammonia and one part of tooth powder. Practice shows that this is the most effective proportion. In this solution, you should moisten the cloth and thoroughly wipe the product. After that, the silver should be washed with water and wipe dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Cleaning with ammonia and laundry soap

This method will require a little more time and patience. At the first stage it is necessary to make a solution (with the help of warm water and laundry soap, although, however, the toilet is also suitable). In this solution should be for some time (about twenty minutes) soak the silverware. Then they should be thoroughly rinsed with running water and wiped dry. At the second stage, it is necessary to mix ammonia spirit and crushed chalk to a uniform consistency. The resulting gruel should be applied to silver and wait for it to solidify. After this, the product must be washed with water and polished with a soft cloth (preferably suede).

Other popular means

There are also less popular recipes, for example, cleaning silver with ammonia and detergent. However, no one can dispute the effectiveness of this method of purifying silver.

However, practice shows that not only cleaning silver with ammonia can bring good results. There are a number of other folk methods of cleaning silver. For example, cleaning with citric acid. To do this, it is necessary to prepare a solution consisting of one part of citric acid and five parts of water, and then bring this solution to a boil. In the boiling solution should be placed silver and boil it for fifteen to thirty minutes. This method will be ideal for cleaning silver devices, as well as silverware.

It is very simple to clean the silverware with vinegar. To do this, it needs to be slightly heated, and in this warm solution put the silver. After ten to fifteen minutes it can be pulled out of the vinegar and wipe with a soft cloth (if it is cleared more difficult, you should use a soft brush).

A more aggressive method of cleaning - with the help of a mix of soda and salt. One part of these components should be mixed with two parts of water. In this solution, leave the solution for a period of half an hour. Then, manually clean the product with a soft cloth or toothbrush.

Original methods

An unusual recipe - a strong broth of garlic husks. In this solution, brought to a boil, you should boil silver. The time that silver will hold in the solution will directly depend on the degree of contamination of the products.

Some also clean the silver with even less traditional methods, such as cleaning with Coca-Cola, potato peelings, water in which eggs were brewed, and even sulfuric acid. You can use these methods at your own peril and risk. However, it is important to remember that after using any cleaning agent, the silverware must be thoroughly rinsed with water.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that everyone chooses the choice of a method of cleaning silver at their own peril and risk. Therefore, you need to be sure that the chosen method will not damage your favorite decoration. That is why you should carefully study the above information and with a smart choice for yourself a means of cleaning silver. Regardless of whether this is silver cleaning with ammonia and peroxide or ammonia and household soap, or maybe some of the folk methods (for example, cleaning with vinegar, tooth powder or citric acid), the result will be better the more carefully the proportions are observed Working solutions and cleaning technology.

Most of the methods described in this article are absolutely safe for silver. The main thing is to follow the instructions correctly and not to disregard simple, but effective advice. In this case, cleaning silver with ammonia will become effective and bring excellent results.