Sterling silver jewelry enhances any outfit with its elegance and sophistication. While this metal provides long-lasting durability, silver can lose its luster over time and become tarnished when exposed to air and other elements. As with many metals, regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure your silver jewelry remains beautiful for years.
When Does Sterling Silver Jewelry Need to be Cleaned?
If your jewelry is tarnishing or you’ve noticed it doesn’t sparkle the same, it’s time to clean your sterling silver jewelry. It should be polished and cleaned at least two times per year. Additionally, if your jewelry comes into contact with lotions or harsh chemicals such as chlorine, it’s important to clean it promptly to maintain its shine and quality.
Why Does Sterling Silver Jewelry Tarnish?
While pure silver does not tarnish, it is too soft for use in jewelry making. Instead, silver jewelry is made with an alloy, combining pure silver and a small amount of copper. This alloy produces a metal known as sterling silver that is more durable but more susceptible to tarnishing.
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms on sterling silver when it reacts with sulfur-containing substances in the air. Things like humidity, salty air, chlorine, household bleach, and chemicals can create this reaction. This reaction will dull or discolor the metal but does not harm the underlying sterling and can be easily cleaned at home. Regular cleaning of your sterling silver jewelry can help to prevent tarnishing and remove any built-up dirt or grime that could cause further damage.
Jewelry Store Cleaning Services
When your sterling silver jewelry requires delicate handling – whether it includes diamonds, a precious gemstone, or is vintage or designer – we recommend professional cleanings. Diamonds and gemstones can be damaged and settings can become loose if you aren’t careful while cleaning sterling silver jewelry,.
Bringing your pieces into a jewelry store or a jewelry repair center for professional cleaning will provide the level of care needed. Professionals can inspect and check settings while cleaning to ensure the jewelry remains in perfect shape.
Polishing Sterling Silver
While cleaning sterling silver jewelry will tackle dirt, oils, and residues that accumulate from everyday wear, polishing will leave your piece looking brand new. Professional polishing is a much more thorough technique and utilizes a polishing wheel to remove dirt and tarnish without damaging the jewelry. You should get your designer sterling silver, like your favorite David Yurman bracelet, polished every three to five years by a pro.
In between professional polishing, you can polish your silver jewelry at home using a sterling silver cleaning cloth. Rubbing the cloth against the silver metal will easily remove grime and tarnish without compromising your favorite pieces.
3 Methods for Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry At Home
Sterling silver is a popular jewelry metal choice as it can complement almost any outfit and make a statement. Fortunately, you do not always need professional cleaning services to restore your jewelry to its original shine. With a few common household ingredients and simple techniques, you can effectively clean sterling silver jewelry, saving you time and money.
What You Need to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry At Home:
- Baking soda
- Aluminum foil
- White vinegar
- Gentle dish soap
- Soft cloth or microfiber cloth
- Soft-Bristled toothbrush
1. The Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil Cleaning Method
The baking soda and aluminum foil cleaning method is an excellent way to clean sterling silver jewelry with an intricate design, such as a sculpted pendant. For this method, you will need baking soda, aluminum foil, boiling water, a bowl, and a cloth. Use the following steps to remove tarnish in as little as 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
- Step 1. Prepare the Bowl: Line the bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up, to help facilitate the chemical reaction that cleans the silver.
- Step 2. Add the Jewelry: Place your silver jewelry on aluminum foil, ensuring each piece of jewelry you are cleaning is in contact with the foil.
- Step 3. Add Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the jewelry so it covers all pieces. Use about one tablespoon of baking soda for every cup of water.
- Step 4. Add Boiling Water: Pour the boiling water into the bowl to cover the jewelry. The baking soda will begin to bubble as it interacts with the aluminum foil and tarnish.
- Step 5. Soak the Jewelry: Let the jewelry soak for 2-5 minutes. The chemical reaction between the baking soda, aluminum, and tarnish will clean the jewelry.
- Step 6. Remove and Rinse: The jewelry will be hot, so be careful when removing it from the bowl. Rinse with cool water to remove any residue.
- Step 7. Dry and Polish: Dry the jewelry thoroughly and polish it to a shine using a soft cloth.
2. The White Vinegar and Baking Soda Method
Another way to achieve clean sterling silver jewelry at home is the white vinegar and baking soda method. This method uses the natural acidity of white vinegar to remove tarnish. While it takes a bit longer than the baking soda and aluminum foil method, it can be great for hard-to-clean pieces like the Manah Silver Diamond Pave Heart Bracelet. For this five-step method, you will need white vinegar, baking soda, and a soft cloth.
- Step 1. Prepare the Jewelry: Place your silver jewelry in a bowl and cover it with white vinegar.
- Step 2. Add Baking Soda: Combine 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda with the vinegar. As the baking soda combines with the vinegar, a fizzy reaction will begin.
- Step 3. Soak: Let the jewelry soak for 2-3 hours. This prolonged length of time will help break down the tarnish.
- Step 4. Rinse: Rinse the jewelry under cold water to remove the baking soda and white vinegar solution.
- Step 5. Dry and Polish: Use a soft cloth to dry and polish the jewelry to bring back the shine.
3. The Mild Soap and Water Method to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry
This method requires few supplies and is perfect for cleaning a simple piece of silver jewelry that is only lightly tarnished. For this, you will need a soft-bristled toothbrush, gentle dish soap, warm water, and a cloth.
- Step 1. Prepare the Solution: Mix a few drops of gentle dish soap into a bowl with warm water.
- Step 2. Soak Jewelry: Soak your jewelry for 5-10 minutes to help loosen dirt and light tarnish.
- Step 3. Scrub Gently: Use the soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the jewelry, focusing on crevices and intricate designs.
- Step 4. Rinse: Rinse your jewelry under cold water to remove any soap residue.
- Step 5. Dry and Polish: Use your cloth to dry and polish the clean sterling silver jewelry.
Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
While your jewelry will require maintenance from time to time, properly storing silver jewelry, avoiding contact with chemicals, and, surprisingly, wearing it often will keep it looking pristine and in the best condition possible. While you may think wearing jewelry frequently can lead to tarnishing, the opposite is true. Wearing it can help maintain clean sterling silver jewelry, as the oils in your skin can prevent the tarnishing effect.
To store your jewelry properly, keep it in a cool, dry place, preferably in an airtight container or tarnish-resistant pouch. As humidity accelerates tarnishing, you can use silica gel packets to reduce moisture. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals such as household cleaning products, chlorine, perfume, lotion, and hairsprays, as they can also tarnish silver jewelry.
With these cleaning techniques, you'll enjoy your precious sterling silver piece for many years, whether it’s a childhood charm bracelet or a stunning 25th anniversary silver jewelry gift.
