Silver jewelry is some of the most beautiful and versatile in a collection, but unfortunately it tends to oxidize, blacken, and get dirty easily. Once blackened, they are usually forgotten on the bottom of the jewelry box. If you are looking for a simple solution to cleaning your silver jewelry, vinegar is the right choice. You can use it in many different ways to create a solution that is able to restore your jewelry to its original splendor.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Soak the Jewelry in Vinegar
Step 1. Dip the jewelry in white wine vinegar
Put them in a clean glass jar or other suitable container. Cover them with vinegar so that they are completely submerged. You can soak them for 2-3 hours, depending on how black they are. When finished, rinse and dry them thoroughly.
If the jewelry is only moderately oxidized, it should be shiny again in just 15 minutes
Step 2. Add baking soda if the degree of oxidation requires it
Pour 120 ml of white wine vinegar into the container of your choice, then add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Soak the jewelry in the solution for 2-3 hours. When finished, rinse them carefully under running water from the sink, taking care not to fall into the drain, and finally dry them with a soft, clean cloth.
If you intend to rinse the jewelry in the kitchen sink, place it in a colander as a precaution
Step 3. Increase the cleaning power of the solution with tea tree oil
Find a suitable glass jar in the pantry and place the silver jewelry in it. Cover them with 120 ml of white wine vinegar, then add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a drop of tea tree oil. Leave them to soak for the whole day or until the next morning.
- If you see debris floating on the water, you will know that the cleaning solution is proving effective.
- If your sink has a hand shower, use the water pressure to clean the jewelry. Remember to put them in a colander as a precaution and be careful not to lose their grip.
Step 4. You can also scrub the jewelry with baking soda
Sprinkle them with the powder and use an old toothbrush to scrub them until they are perfectly shiny again. Finally, rinse and dry them thoroughly.
You can use this method after leaving the jewelry to soak to remove any oxide residue from crevices and hidden corners
Method 2 of 3: Clean Highly Oxidized Silver Jewelry
Step 1. Line the inside of a baking sheet with aluminum foil
You can use any heat resistant pan. After coating it with aluminum, arrange the jewelry neatly inside it, making sure each piece is in contact with the foil.
Step 2. Add boiling water, salt and baking soda
Mix 1 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of salt in a medium bowl, then pour the cleaning solution over the jewelry.
Step 3. Add vinegar as well
Pour 120 ml directly into the pan. You should see bubbles forming caused by the chemical reaction triggered by the vinegar and baking soda.
Step 4. Leave the jewelry to soak in the pan for 10 minutes
If you want, you can move them in the water every 2-3 minutes, making sure they still remain in direct contact with the aluminum.
Step 5. Rinse the jewelry
If possible, use the sink's hand shower to rinse them thoroughly. Be careful not to lose their grip to prevent them from accidentally falling down the drain. Alternatively, you can also use the jet from the normal tap. Finally, dry the silver jewelry with a clean cloth and put it safely back in the jewelry box.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Pickling Method
Step 1. Use a mixture of distilled water, salt and white vinegar
Pickling is a chemical process used to remove layers of oxidation and dirt from the surface of jewelry, for example after it has been soldered or if it is heavily blackened. First of all, get distilled water, since the minerals present in the tap water could react in contact with the acetic acid contained in the vinegar.
Step 2. Prepare the necessary tools
You will need a protective mask, such as an anti-smog mask, as well as work gloves. You will also need a pot that you do not use for cooking, as it is not safe to cook food in it after using it for this purpose.
Step 3. Prepare a non-toxic solution for pickling jewelry using vinegar
You can effectively eliminate oxides on silver surfaces using distilled white vinegar, salt and distilled water. Use one tablespoon of salt for every 250ml of distilled water. Remember to pour the vinegar into the water and not the other way around.
Step 4. Heat the pickling solution
Turn off the heat just before it starts to boil. Place the jewelry in the liquid and let it soak until you see signs of improvement in the degree of oxidation.
Step 5. Rinse and dry the jewelry
Remove them from the pickling solution using a pair of tongs, then rinse them thoroughly with running water. Finally dry them with a soft, clean cloth.
