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Silver is a soft, lustrous metal, so gentle cleaning is key. A mix of warm water and mild dishwashing soup, or even baby shampoo, will usually do the trick for cleaning everyday jewelry. This method also works to clean gold jewelry.
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to warm water. Mix until bubbles form.
- Soak jewelry in the solution for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a soft-bristle brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean any crevices.
- Rinse jewelry in warm water.
- To dry, gently rub jewelry with a silver cloth or microfiber towel. (Note: Avoid using paper towels, as these can scratch the silver.)
If that isn’t working as well try:
Make a Baking Soda Paste
Mix two parts baking soda to one part water to make a paste, then gently rub the mixture onto the jewelry. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth or microfiber towel. You can also follow a similar method using cornstarch. Just let the paste dry completely to remove the tarnish.
Mix Lemon and Olive Oil
Mix 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 teaspoon olive oil into a solution. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and gently rub the silver until it shines. Rinse and dry.
Combine Vinegar and Baking Soda
Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda together, then let your silver jewelry soak in the mixture for two to three hours before rinsing and polishing.
Try Toothpaste
A small amount of diluted toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush can do wonders for cleaning sterling silver jewelry. Just make sure the toothpaste is not a whitening formula, and don't use this method on anything silver-plated.
Fine silver jewelry with diamonds or other precious gems can often be cleaned with soap and water as well. However, consider speaking to a jeweler before cleaning valuables or have the piece professionally cleaned to be safe.
(BHG)