How to Clean Silver Jewellery

Silver jewellery that is regularly worn does not tarnish quickly and only requires a light polish from time to time. To remove existing tarnish, mix a solution of salt and baking soda in boiling water. Add silver jewellery and allow to sit in the solution until tarnish dissolves.

Rinse and dry with a soft, lint free cloth.
Baking soda

Baking soda is a great silver cleaner that’s safe and inexpensive. You can use it to remove tarnish from all types of jewellery and silver utensils, including those made from silver-plated metals. It works by reversing the electrochemical reaction that created tarnish in the first place. Simply add baking soda to a bowl of boiling water, then add your tarnished silver pieces. After a short soak, your silver will be shiny and free of tarnish.

You’ll need a container that’s resistant to boiling water and large enough to hold your silver items. Line the container with aluminum foil, and sprinkle it generously with baking soda. Once the baking soda begins to bubble, place your silver items inside. Leave them to soak for 30 minutes, and then rinse them thoroughly. You can also use this method to clean silver flatware and napkin rings. It’s a great alternative to commercial cleaners, which contain toxic chemicals. It’s also more eco-friendly, since it doesn’t require abrasion or chemical polishing.
Lemon juice

Whether you wear costume jewellery or keep fine silver serving utensils in your cupboard, they’re likely to need a clean from time to time. Even sterling silver, which is considered a precious metal, can get dull or tarnished with prolonged exposure to air, moisture and other pollutants. A homemade jewellery cleaner can remove tarnish without damaging the delicate metal.

Lemon juice is a natural cleaning agent that breaks down tarnish and also smells good. Add one cup of lemon juice to a bowl of water and soak your jewellery or silverware for 10-15 minutes. The acid in the lemon juice dissolves tarnish and other impurities. Rinse your silverware or jewellery, dry it and polish it with a cloth to shine.

Another easy DIY home hack is toothpaste, which can also lift tarnish from silver items. Apply a dab of white toothpaste (not gel) to the silver item and rub with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.
Vinegar

The vinegar and salt solution works well for cleaning silver jewellery. Add your pieces to a shallow bowl of water with salt and baking soda, cover them with aluminum foil and allow the jewelry to soak until the tarnish is gone. Rinse and dry the items before wearing them.

This method is effective for both sterling and silver-plated jewellery, but should not be used on antique pieces or jewellery with enamel or gemstones. The baking soda can scratch other types of metal, so it is best for removing tarnish from sterling and silver-plated jewelry.

Another simple but effective way to clean silver jewellery is by soaking it in ketchup. This method is safe for most silver pieces, but it may not work on jewellery with elaborate designs or details. Test this method on a small area of your jewellery first to make sure it won’t be damaged. Also, be aware that if your jewellery is made of pure silver it will not react to ketchup at all.
Aluminum foil

When silver comes in contact with sulfur particles in the air, it bonds with them to create a dark coating known as tarnish. While tarnish can be removed with polish and cloth, it’s best to prevent it from happening in the first place. This is easier than you might think with this simple DIY solution using baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil.

Start by placing a sheet of standard aluminum foil, shiny side up, in the bottom of a pan. Add boiling water and a mixture of equal parts baking soda and salt. Next, place your silver jewelry in the solution and let sit for a few minutes. After soaking, rinse the jewellery and dry it with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

To prevent tarnish, store your silver jewelry in soft, anti-tarnish bags in a cool, dark place. Some people also add a piece of chalk, a packet of charcoal, or silica gel to the bags to absorb excess moisture.how to clean silver jewellery