A Guide to Cleaning Silver Jewelry

If you have silver rings, bracelets, or necklaces that aren’t worn often, you might notice tarnishing the next time you try them on. Silver reacts with air over time, causing a dark tarnish to form.

Don't worry—your jewelry isn’t ruined! Learning how to clean silver jewelry at home can quickly remove the tarnish and restore the shine. (For mixed-metal collections with precious and semi-precious stones, it's worth investing in a good jewelry cleaner to safely clean all your pieces.) Fortunately, cleaning silver jewelry is easy, and you likely already have the necessary supplies at home.

To maintain the shine of your silver jewelry over time, invest in a quality cleaning cloth and discover the best way to store silver jewelry to avoid tarnish from the start. Follow these steps to ensure your silver pieces continue to shine brightly.

Different Types of Silver Jewelry

The type of silver in your jewelry will affect how you clean it and how prone it is to tarnish. Pure silver is made up of 100% silver, while sterling silver is a mix of silver and another metal, like copper or zinc—common choices for affordable quality jewelry brands. These added metals help strengthen the piece, ensuring durability, while pure silver is softer and more delicate.

How Frequently Should You Clean Silver Jewelry?

The frequency of cleaning silver jewelry depends on how often you wear it. Pure silver should be cleaned at least twice a year, while sterling silver can be cleaned monthly or every other month.

Things to Consider Before Cleaning

Before cleaning, it's crucial to know what type of silver your jewelry is made of. To check if it's sterling silver, look for a small "925" stamp inside rings or bangles, indicating that the jewelry is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal. Silver-plated jewelry has a thin coating of silver over a base metal, like copper or nickel. While silver tarnishes over time, pure silver tends to tarnish slower than other types.

Essential Items for Cleaning:

Steps for Cleaning Silver Jewelry

• Small bowl
• Gentle dish soap
• Warm water
• Soft toothbrush
• Soft, lint-free cloth
• Polishing cloth
• Polishing cream

How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry

• Small bowl
• Baking soda
• Water
• Soft, lint-free cloth
• Distilled white vinegar

Guide to Cleaning Your Silver Jewelry

1. In a small bowl, mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water to create suds. Allow your silver jewelry to soak in the solution for approximately five minutes.
2. Gently scrub the tarnish away from any crevices using a soft toothbrush.
3. Rinse each piece in clean, warm water. (If rinsing over a sink, be sure to use a drain catcher to avoid losing any jewelry.)
4. Dry each item with a soft cloth. Avoid using paper towels, as they can scratch the delicate surface of silver jewelry.

How to Properly Use a Silver Polishing Cloth

Silver polishing cloths are specially designed to clean silver jewelry without causing scratches. These cloths are typically infused with cleaning agents, allowing you to use them dry without needing any additional products or polishing creams. This makes them a convenient and mess-free option for cleaning silver jewelry, though they are not free from chemicals.

1. Buff your silver jewelry using the silver polishing cloth, following the instructions on the packaging. Typically, this will involve scrubbing back and forth rather than in a circular motion.
2. As you clean, the tarnish will transfer to the cloth. Move to a clean section of the cloth as needed while working in small areas.

How to Use Silver Polishing Cream

Silver polishing cream, typically used for cleaning silverware, can also be effective for cleaning silver jewelry. This method is ideal for pieces with larger surfaces, such as lockets or pendants, but may not be suitable for more delicate jewelry like chains.

1. Rinse each jewelry piece under warm water, then apply a thin layer of polishing cream to one surface using a soft cloth or the sponge provided in the jar. Remember to dampen the sponge before using the cream, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
2. Work in small sections, rubbing the cream onto the surface until the tarnish fades.
3. Repeat the process on other areas of the jewelry.
4. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with warm water, and dry it with a clean, soft cloth. Afterward, wash your hands with soap and water, and avoid letting the cream sit on your hands.

How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry

If you're sure that the jewelry you're cleaning is sterling silver (and not pure silver or silver-plated), baking soda, a mildly abrasive substance, can help remove tarnish. However, be cautious, as baking soda can scratch other types of silver.

1. Mix baking soda and water to form a paste, then use a soft cloth to apply it to your sterling silver jewelry.
2. Allow it to dry fully, then wipe away the paste, taking any tarnish with it.
3. Alternatively, you can soak your sterling silver in a bowl filled with distilled white vinegar and a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. Let it sit for around three hours.
4. After soaking, remove the jewelry, rinse it thoroughly, and then polish each piece.

Tips for Keeping Silver Jewelry Clean Longer

Once your silver jewelry gleams with a polished shine, there are a few things you can do to maintain that freshly polished brilliance over time.

• Avoid wearing your jewelry when around water, and be sure to take off rings, bracelets, and necklaces when doing dishes, showering, or swimming.
• Prevent tarnish from accumulating. A quick polish with a cloth can bring back the shine, even when the silver doesn't appear particularly dirty.
• Handle with care while cleaning. Be gentle, as excessive cleaning can not only remove dirt and tarnish but also wear down some of the silver metal itself.
• To slow tarnishing, store silver jewelry in a velvet-lined jewelry box to help absorb moisture. For especially precious pieces, use a velvet pouch to minimize air exposure and further delay tarnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it safe to use Windex or glass cleaner to clean my silver jewelry?

  Glass cleaner can be an effective solution for cleaning silver jewelry. It removes dirt and restores the shine at a much lower cost than commercial jewelry cleaners. Simply spray the glass cleaner on a soft cloth and buff the jewelry to bring back its luster.

• What is the black stuff on silver?

  The black substance on silver is tarnish, which forms as a result of silver sulfide. This compound occurs when silver reacts with oxygen and hydrogen sulfide in the air, causing the metal to darken or dull.

• What should you not use to clean silver jewelry?

  Although you can create your own jewelry cleaner for silver, it's important to avoid abrasive materials like toothpaste, baking soda, or bleach on pure silver or silver-plated items. For sterling silver, which is sturdier, these substances are acceptable for cleaning.