How To Clean Fire-Damaged Silver

• How does fire damage silver?
• The dangers of fire damage
• How to clean fire damage off silver
• How to protect silver against fire damage in the future
• Contact us today

Jewellery and ornaments made of gold, platinum, and silver will usually survive house fires due to their high melting point. However, fires can still leave behind stubborn soot stains which will detract from their finish and put the wearer’s health at risk.

It is recommended you always bring in a fire restoration company to restore your property and possessions to their previous condition rather than attempt it yourself.

At ICE Cleaning, our comprehensive fire damage cleaning service can restore your home to a safe, clean environment again. Our technicians can take care of the entire aftermath of a fire whether they are removing lingering soot and ash, collecting waste, or neutralising any odours in your home.

Keep reading to find out what happens to silver during a fire and how to remove the damage.

How does fire damage silver?

Fires can cause serious damage to precious metals such as causing them to discolour, leaving behind scratches, warping and distorting the item, and cracking stones. Silver jewellery and other items are especially vulnerable.

Although the average temperature of a house fire is 815°C whereas the melting point of silver is 961.8°C, extreme heat can cause it to melt. Melted items are usually not recoverable and should be disposed of.

Sterling silver and silver-plated items contain copper, too, which can oxidise and tarnish in a fire. Any soot that covers the silver can be corrosive and will eat away into the metal, as well. Fire and smoke damage must be tended to immediately to minimise long-term damage.

Even if the silver was not directly affected by the fire, warmer temperatures can speed up the tarnishing process.

The dangers of fire damage

Fire damage can make your property a very hazardous place. Soot particles, for example, when inhaled may cause a range of health problems including coronary heart disease, asthma, and cancer. You can find out more about the effects of fire damage in this blog.

When it comes in contact with your skin, soot can cause dry skin, skin irritation, and rashes. It can also be absorbed through your skin and lead to the other more serious health problems mentioned above.

All the fire damage must be removed from your property, including from possessions like silver jewellery and ornaments, or you could be putting yours and others health at risk.

Fire-damaged silver jewellery is particularly harmful as when you wear it you will be in contact with the soot particles and are likely to inhale them.  

How to clean fire damage off silver

Silver can usually be cleaned and polished at home. But greasy, stubborn soot on fire-damaged silver requires professional cleaning products and equipment to remove all traces of it.

The cleaning solutions recommended online, like washing the silver with dish soap and warm water, will not be able to eliminate all the soot.

Jewellery may also be very fragile following a fire and you could damage it more by attempting to clean it yourself.

You should contact a professional jeweller to clean the fire damage off your jewellery. They can even replicate the jewellery if the damage is so severe that it must be replaced.

The rest of the fire damage in your property needs to be cleaned up by fire damage cleaners, as well, to make sure that it is safe to stay in. Professional cleaners will have the training and tools required to remove soot, ash, and the fire smoke odour from all types of surfaces.

How to protect silver against fire damage in the future

There are lots of ways to keep your jewellery safe against fire damage should a fire break out in your property:

• Store jewellery in a fireproof safe
• Keep sentimental jewellery and heirlooms in external storage, like a safety deposit box
• Make sure your jewellery is protected under home insurance
• Take photos of your jewellery in case it needs to be replaced
• Assess the fire risks in your home and take measures to reduce the chances of a fire breaking out – you can find out more in this blog

Contact us today

Our technicians are fully qualified in fire restoration and have been accredited by a range of organisations including IPAF, BICSc, and Dewpoint Professional. We operate nationwide, day and night, 365 days a year.

Get in touch with our team by calling 0208 066 0360 or sending an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our professional fire damage clean up services. We also offer smoke damage cleaning services should they be required.