Silver jewelry is a very beautiful collection and is suitable to be worn in various occasions. However, silver jewelry can oxidize, tarnish, and tend to get dirty easily. Dirty jewelry will easily be forgotten and pile up at the bottom of the jewelry box. If you are looking for a simple way to clean silver jewelry, vinegar is an ideal choice. There are a variety of cleaning products that contain vinegar and will restore the shine of your silver jewelry.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Soaking Jewelry in Vinegar
Step 1. Soak the jewelry in white vinegar
Place the jewelry in a clean glass case or other suitable container. Add white vinegar until the jewelry is completely submerged. Soak for 2 to 3 hours, depending on how dirty the jewelry is. Then, rinse the jewelry and dry it.
If the jewelry is not too dirty, you can just soak it for about 15 minutes and the result is quite satisfactory
Step 2. Add baking soda for a more thorough cleaning
Pour cup of white vinegar into a clean container and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Soak the jewelry in the solution and leave it for 2 or 3 hours. After that, rinse the jewelry thoroughly under running water. Be careful not to let the jewelry fall into the sink holes and dry with a clean towel.
If you are using a kitchen sink, it is recommended to leave the filter in the drain hole
Step 3. Use vinegar, tea tree oil, and baking soda
Take a suitable glass jar from the kitchen. Place the jewelry at the bottom of the jar. Pour the vinegar into a jar and a drop of tea tree oil. Soak the jewelry in the solution overnight or for 8 hours during the day while you are at work.
- If you see dirt floating in the liquid, it means the solution is working well.
- If your sink has a high pressure washer head, use it to rinse your jewelry. However, remember to leave the strainer in the drain hole in place and be careful not to let the jewelry slip out of your hands.
Step 4. Rub the jewelry with baking soda
Coat the entire surface of the jewelry with baking soda, then scrub with an old toothbrush until it shines again. When it is clean, rinse and dry the jewelry.
Applying baking soda with a toothbrush at the end of the process will help clean crevices and other hard-to-reach areas
Method 2 of 3: Remove Thick Stains
Step 1. Line a shallow pan with aluminum foil
The glossy side of the aluminum foil should be facing up. You can use any heat-resistant pan to load the jewelry to be cleaned. After coating the pan, arrange the jewelry on its surface and make sure that each piece of jewelry is in contact with the aluminum foil.
Step 2. Add hot water, baking soda and salt to the pan
Take a medium-sized bowl and mix one cup of boiling water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one tablespoon of salt. Pour the mixture into the pot containing the silver jewelry.
Step 3. Add vinegar to the pan
Pour half a glass of vinegar into the saucepan. Don't worry if you see bubbles forming on the surface.
Step 4. Soak the jewelry in the solution for 10 minutes
If you want, you can flip the jewelry every few minutes to make sure each piece is in contact with the aluminum foil lining the pan.
Step 5. Rinse the jewelry
Use the high pressure sink head to rinse the jewelry. Be careful not to drop it into the drain hole. Then, dry with a clean cloth and store in a safe place.
Method 3 of 3: Using Pickle Solution to Remove Stains
Step 1. Use distilled water to make a pickle solution
The soaking process in the pickling solution will clean the silver jewelry from the oxidation layer and other residues such as those left behind by the welding process. It is important to use distilled water because tap water contains minerals that can react with the acidity of the vinegar.
Step 2. Prepare the equipment
You will need a protective mask such as an anti-particle mask and protective gloves. In addition, you will also need a pot or crock pot that is not used for cooking. It is not recommended to cook food in a pan that has already been used for this process.
Step 3. Make a pickle solution from nontoxic vinegar
A good pickle solution is made with white vinegar, salt, and distilled water. Use one teaspoon of salt per one cup of distilled water. Remember, pour the vinegar into the water and not the other way around.
Step 4. Heat the pickle solution
Heat the pickle solution until it is almost boiling. Put the jewelry in the pickle solution and let it soak until it looks cleaner.
Step 5. Rinse and dry the jewelry
Use tongs to remove the jewelery from the pot. Then, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
