How to Clean Silver Jewellery at Home

Silver jewellery is timeless, elegant, and can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit. However, with time and exposure to air, moisture, and various chemicals, silver jewellery can lose its shine and develop a tarnished look. Fortunately, cleaning silver jewellery at home is simple, affordable, and highly effective. Here’s a detailed guide on how to clean, polish, and maintain your silver jewellery to keep it looking as good as new.

Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Before diving into cleaning methods, it’s helpful to understand why silver tarnishes. Silver jewellery tarnishes when it reacts with sulfur-containing substances in the air, forming a dark, sometimes greenish layer. Factors like exposure to water, perfumes, lotions, and even the natural oils from our skin can accelerate this process.

Tarnish doesn’t damage silver permanently but it can make the metal look dull. Regular cleaning helps remove this layer, restoring the jewellery’s original shine and brilliance.

Method 1: Mild Dish Soap and Warm Water (for Light Tarnish)

What You’ll Need:

• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• A soft-bristle toothbrush or a soft cloth

Steps:

1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water.
2. Soak the jewellery in the solution for 5-10 minutes.
3. Gently scrub any crevices with a soft-bristle toothbrush or soft cloth.
4. Rinse under cool water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Method 2: Specialised Silver Polish (ie. Goddards) For Moderate to Tough Tarnish

What You’ll Need:

• Specialised silver polish
• Multiple clean microfibre cloths (at least 3)
• Warm water

Steps:

1. Shake the polish well before use
2. Apply the polish: Put a small amount of polish on a clean, soft cloth. 
3. Rub the polish in: Rub the polish onto the silver in an up-and-down motion. Avoid rubbing in circles, as this can highlight scratches.
4. Turn or change the cloth: Frequently change the cloth to avoid reapplying tarnish to the silver.
5. Leave polish to dry completely
6. Wipe of excess polish with clean cloth
7. Rinse and dry: Rinse the silver with warm water and buff it with a clean, dry cloth. 

Cleaning Silver Jewellery with Gemstones:

Gemstones require specific care depending on the type. For example, pearl, opal, and turquoise shouldn’t be submerged in water. Avoid using silver polish near gemstones, it’s best in these cases to only use Method 1 (mild dish soap).

In fact, the best advice is to consult your jeweller about options for cleaning specific gemstones. Silver jewellery with gemstones like diamond, ruby or sapphire could handle an ultrasonic cleaning to remove all tarnish, and some reputable jewellers provide this service. Other softer stones like emeralds cannot sustain ultrasonic cleaners, so again it is best to consult your jeweller.

For more specifics on how to clean certain gemstones read our guide on How to Look After and Clean Your Jewellery. Or, if your silver jewellery is purchased through us book an appointment and come pick the brain of our experts (just to make sure).

In Summary: the Do’s and Dont’s of Silver Jewellery Cleaning

The Do’s

• Do use a trusted specialised silver polish
• Do use mild soap solution
• Do use lint-free, microfibre cloths
• Do clean regularly to prevent the build up of tarnish
• Do consult a reputable jeweller about options for cleaning silver jewellery with gemstones.

The Dont’s

• Don’t use harsh chemicals, such as bleach, ammonia, etc.,
• Don’t use homemade silver polishes including; baking soda, White wine vinegar, or aluminium foil
• Don’t use toothpaste as a home cleaning remedy
• Don’t use hot water to rinse
• Dont use hairdryers or any heat source to dry Silver
• Don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner without consulting a reputable jeweller

Extra Maintenance Tips for Silver Jewellery:

• Avoid Chemicals: Keep silver away from harsh chemicals, like bleach and chlorine, which can accelerate tarnishing.
• Store Properly: Store silver jewellery in an airtight bag to minimize exposure to air and moisture.
• Wear Often: Surprisingly, wearing silver jewellery often can keep it shiny, as the natural oils in your skin can help prevent tarnish.

These methods will help you keep your silver jewellery looking beautiful with minimal effort!