While we all know how to clean our gold, copper, and fake (yes, you can clean those too) jewelry pieces, not many of us are aware that we can also use a variety of common household products to keep our silver looking brand new. From baking soda to cornstarch, these DIY jewelry cleaners are sure to get your silver shining like new again.
How to Clean Your Silver Necklace
A tarnished or blackened silver necklace is a real turn-off. It can cause your jewelry to look dull or worn and shabby, and it can even make you feel bad about wearing your beloved piece. Thankfully, reviving your jewelry is not a difficult task. In fact, it’s relatively easy to do, and a few easy-to-follow tips are all you need to bring your jewelry back to life.
To begin, always wash your silver jewelry with warm water and soap to remove any dirt or skin oils that may interfere with the tarnishing process. Afterward, rinse thoroughly and allow your jewelry to air dry. You can use a jewelry cleaner or polishing cloth to speed up the process, but it is important to remember that any abrasiveness in these products can scratch or damage your necklace over time. If you do opt to use a jewelry cleaner, be sure to check the label and read the instructions carefully before using.
You can also use hand sanitizer to clean your silver jewelry on the go. Just squirt a small amount of the sanitizer on a paper or handkerchief and rub it over your necklace. This will remove light tarnishing and shine your jewelry up in no time. However, it is not recommended that you use this method on a chain necklace with encrusted gemstones because some ingredients in the sanitizer could damage them.
If your jewelry is severely tarnished, try soaking it in lemon juice and olive oil. Place your jewelry in a bowl of the solution and let it sit for about an hour. After removing the jewelry, rinse it in warm water and dry it with a silver cloth or microfiber towel.
Another simple solution is to mix baking soda and water at a ratio of two parts water to one part baking soda. Use a soft cloth to rub the paste onto your necklace, and let it dry. Then, rinse it and dry it again with a silver cloth or microfiber towel.
You can also try using an old toothpaste to clean your silver. Make sure it is not the whitening kind, and select a soft cloth or sponge. Apply the toothpaste to the dampened cloth or sponge and gently rub in straight, back-and-forth motions. If the tarnish is particularly severe, you can add more toothpaste to the cloth or sponge as needed.
Finally, you can try a mild metal polish that is sold for cleaning pots and pans. If you don’t have any of these polishing products available, you can also use a little bit of regular toothpaste. Just make sure you don’t use abrasive toothpaste, which can scratch or damage your jewelry. how to clean silver necklace