Owning and wearing sterling silver jewellery should be a joy and feel effortless. But sadly, regular exposure to the elements can make our favourite pieces look dull and dirty. This just means we love them enough to wear them everywhere! And thankfully, it’s easy to learn how to clean silver jewellery. We promise, even though it might sound intimidating, it’s super easy and is definitely worth doing – especially if your silver jewellery is sentimental and you want it to last a lifetime!
As a family-run business specialising in memorial jewellery, the team here at Inscripture understand the importance of restoring pieces to their original shine. Today, we’ll explain exactly how to clean silver jewellery at home and bring the brightness back to your favourite designs.
Why does Silver Jewellery Tarnish?
We’re no scientists, but as experts in all things jewellery related, we know exactly why silver jewellery tarnishes! It happens when the precious metal reacts with sulphur, something that is annoyingly just a part of everyday life. It’s unavoidable and is just proof that your silver jewellery has been well-loved and well-worn. When it reacts to sulphur in the air, your skin and even some foods, over time, it can make our silver jewellery look a bit dull.
But don’t worry, tarnishing isn’t permanent. You can easily bring your jewellery’s sparkle back with a bit of home cleaning. A little care and regular touch-ups will keep your silver looking gorgeous and gleaming for years to come. Here’s how to protect and clean silver jewellery at home…
Top Tips To Avoid Tarnishing Your Silver Jewellery
The DON’T’s
- · Don’t put silverware in the dishwasher, as this can make tarnishing worse.
- · Don’t clean too often (2-6 times a year is sufficient).
- · Don’t use coarse materials (especially metal sponges), which can damage the silver.
- · Don’t use abrasive chemicals, such as bleach
- · Don’t spray things like perfume or hairspray directly onto your jewellery
The DO’s
- · Do wear your jewellery often. It deserves to be worn and loved. And did you know, your skin’s oils and friction will help your silver shine.
- · Do store your silver in a soft, sealed bag when you’re not wearing it.
- · Do check for gemstones before cleaning, as you may need to alter the cleaning process to care for the stone.
- · Do check with a professional if you are unsure.
How to Clean Silver Jewellery
Some retailers do offer store-bought polishes, however, not only can these items be expensive, but they should be used sparingly as the strong chemicals in these polishes can cause more damage to your sterling silver jewellery over time. If you do choose a commercial polish, then please be sure to follow the instructions carefully during use.
Alternatively, you can clean your silver jewellery at home. Better yet, this method uses ingredients usually found in your kitchen cupboard! So, it’s likely you won’t even have to purchase anything extra, and you can get started straight away!
You Will Need:
● Aluminium foil
● 1 tablespoon salt
● 1 tablespoon baking powder
● 250ml boiling water
● Glass/plastic bowl
● Soft polishing cloths (such as a microfibre towel or 100% cotton cloth)
Instructions on How to Clean Silver Jewellery at Home
Step 1 – Line the bowl
Line the glass or plastic bowl with aluminium foil, ensuring it is shiny side up. Avoid using metal bowls or pans, as these could create unwanted chemical reactions with the silver.
Step 2 – Add water
Fill up the bowl with boiling water. If you require more water to cover all the items you wish to clean, ensure to increase the baking powder and salt accordingly.
Step 3 – Add baking powder and salt
Add the baking powder and salt to the water.
Step 4 – Place your pieces in the water
Place the silver jewellery pieces you want to clean into the water. Be careful not to scold yourself on the hot water! After the water has cooled, you can remove your silverware from the water.
Step 5 – Polish
Polish the silver using a soft cloth, either a microfibre or 100% cotton cloth. This will remove any remaining tarnishing that hasn’t come off in the water.
Step 6 – Repeat (if needed)
If there is still a tarnish remaining that you wish to remove, you can repeat the method until you are happy with the results. Otherwise, the process is complete, and your silver is ready to wear!
We told you – learning how to clean silver jewellery at home is easy! With this simple method, you’ll restore the shine and colour to your favourite pieces in no time. But remember, if you’re still unsure or you want to trust a professional instead, get in touch with your local jeweller to help. You’re also welcome to contact our friendly team here at Inscripture or read more about how to care for silver jewellery here.
