How to Clean a Silver Necklace
If you’re in a pinch and need to clean your silver necklace on the go, try using hand sanitizer. It removes light tarnish and leaves your jewelry shiny.
You can also use toothpaste to remove rust from your jewelry. Just apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth or sponge, then rub it over your silver.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mildly abrasive compound that can help clear away silver tarnish. It also works as an acidic neutralizer, breaking down the molecules of oxidized silver. It’s safe to use on most silver jewelry, but you should avoid using it on pieces that are especially delicate or antique.
Line a large tray or container with aluminum foil, shiny side up, and place your tarnished silver items inside. Then, add a few tablespoons of baking soda to boiling water and stir until it begins to bubble. Let the silver soak in the solution until it’s cool enough to handle and rinse thoroughly.
For a less abrasive option, combine equal parts baking soda and water in a small bowl until it becomes paste-like. Apply the mixture to your tarnished silver, let it dry and then polish it with a soft cloth. This method works best on sterling silver, which tends to tarnish more slowly than other forms of silver.
Cornstarch
Silver jewelry worn regularly, such as stud earrings and bold huggies, generally doesn’t tarnish quickly and only requires light polishing now and again. However, more delicate silver pieces stored in trays or boxes can tarnish over time due to exposure to air, heat and moisture.
Fortunately, there are a number of home-based silver cleaning methods that can help remove this unwanted oxidation. Some use common kitchen items, such as baking soda and vinegar, while others utilize household or hand sanitizer products that are gentle and non-toxic.
A common pantry item, cornstarch, can be mixed with water to create a paste and applied to a silver necklace. This solution can be rubbed into the jewelry until it is completely shiny, then rinsed and dryed. Alternatively, hand sanitizer can be used to clean silver; just squirt the hand sanitizer on a soft cloth and rub away the tarnish. This cleaner is especially effective on more textured pieces of silver.
Vinegar
Silver jewelry can easily become dull and tarnished over time. But, with just a few common household ingredients, you can restore your favorite piece of jewelry to its original brilliance.
Vinegar works well to remove light tarnishing from silver pieces. Pour enough vinegar into a bowl to fully submerge your jewelry, and allow it to soak for five minutes. Then, gently scrub the tarnishes away with a new baby-sized toothbrush. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with warm water and dry.
A mildly abrasive solution of baking soda and water can also clean sterling silver. Apply the mixture to a soft cloth and rub it onto a piece of silver jewelry, then let it dry completely. This method can also be used on silver-plated items, which contain a thin layer of silver over another metal, such as copper. Be careful not to use this method on any jewelry that contains gemstones or pearls, as it can damage their finish.
Toothpaste
Using toothpaste to clean silver jewellery may seem strange, but it’s one of the easiest ways to get rid of heavy tarnish. The mild abrasives in toothpaste can help remove tarnish from silver, but make sure you use an unscented toothpaste without any whitening agents. Apply a small dab of toothpaste to a soft cloth or brush, and rub gently over your silver jewellery until the tarnish disappears. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
If you have delicate or antique silver jewellery, consider taking it to a professional cleaner rather than cleaning it at home. Many commercial silver cleaners are harsh and can damage the jewellery, especially if it contains gemstones. You can also keep your silver jewellery free from tarnish by storing it in a sealed container or coating it with wax. A clear wax will protect your jewellery from tarnishing for up to a year and can be reapplied as needed.how to clean silver necklace