A classic choice because of its elegance and timeless appeal is silver jewelry. But there’s one problem that every silver jewelry owner faces which is tarnishing. Due to exposure to humid air and chemicals, silver loses its shine and turns black. And luckily, there are a lot of easy, affordable ways to clean your silver jewelry at home, whether it’s a ring, a necklace, a bracelet or your gorgeous earrings. In this guide, we will explore 10 tried and tested methods to clean your silver jewelry and keep it looking brand new.
- Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda and water paste is the most simple and effective method to clean your silver jewelry at home.
How to clean silver ornaments using this method:
Step 1. Mix water and baking soda at a 1:3 ratio to create a thick paste.
Step 2. Apply the paste to tarnished areas and clean with a soft cloth or cotton.
Step 3. Rub your jewelry gently.
Step 4. Rinse the jewelry with warm water and dry it with a clean cloth.
Baking soda is slightly abrasive which makes it quite effective for cleaning tarnished jewelry without scratching your jewelry, which makes this method a favorite among the people.
- Vinegar and Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil and vinegar works amazingly for jewelry that is tarnished heavily. This method is great for both cleaning and restoring shine to silver pieces that haven’t been cleaned in a while.
How to clean your jewelry with vinegar and aluminum foil.
Step 1. With its shiny side upwards, line a glass bowl with aluminum foil.
Step 2. Put your silver jewelry in.
Step 3. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar and mix it evenly
Step 4. Let your jewelry soak in the mixture for 10 minutes.
Step 5. Use cold water to rinse it.
This method creates a chemical reaction between the vinegar, baking soda, and aluminum, lifting away tarnish effectively.
- Lemon Juice and Olive Oil Solution
Lemon juice and olive oil is a gentle solution that is excellent for delicate silver jewelry pieces. It’s a natural way to remove light tarnish while polishing your jewelry.
How to clean with lemon juice and olive oil
Step 1 : Take one teaspoon of olive oil and ½ cup lemon juice and mix it well.
Step 2 : Gently rub your jewelry with a soft cloth dipped into the solution.
Step 3 : Rinse the jewelry thoroughly when the tarnish is removed.
The tarnishing of the jewelry is broken down by the acidity of the lemon, while the olive oil polishes the jewelry, giving it a renewed shine.
- Toothpaste as a Quick Fix
People who need an easy and quick way to fix it, non-gel toothpaste can be a great alternative to traditional silver cleaners.
Here’s how to polish gold ornaments at home, and this technique can also apply to silver:
Step 1 : Apply a small amount of toothpaste to an old toothbrush.
Step 2 : Gently scrub the silver in circular motions.
Step 3 : Rinse the jewelry with warm water and pat it dry.
When you’re in a hurry, toothpaste works really well for small silver pieces or when you're in a rush.
- Commercial Silver Polish
For those who prefer using store-bought solutions, a commercial silver polish can be highly effective. Products designed for cleaning silver can remove tarnish quickly and safely, making it an excellent option for valuable or antique silver pieces like silver nazar battu.
Simply follow the instructions provided on the polish, and always use a soft cloth to avoid scratching.
- Dish Soap and Warm Water
A mild dish soap and warm water is the safest method to clean your jewelry. This works well for delicate silver jewelry.
How to use Dish soap and warm water to clean your jewelry :
Step 1 : Add a few drops of mild dish soap to warm water.
Step 2 : Let your jewelry soap for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3 : Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub and remove tarnish.
Step 4 : Rinse with cold water and pat dry.
This method is gentle yet effective, especially for maintaining the overall cleanliness of silver jewelry that is regularly worn.
- Ammonia and Water Mixture
When you’re dealing with extremely stubborn tarnish, an ammonia and water solution might do the trick. This method is best used sparingly and only for pieces without gemstones.
How to clean your jewelry using Ammonia and Water mixture :
Step 1 : Mix Ammonia and Water in a 1:6 Ratio.
Step 2 : Let your jewelry soak for 10 minutes.
Step 3 : Scrub the jewelry with a soft toothbrush.
Step 4 : Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry.
Don’t use ammonia too much, overexposure of ammonia to silver jewlery can cause silver to damage.
- Cornstarch Paste
Cornstarch is a fantastic natural polish to restore the shine without chemicals for silver jewelry pieces, it isn’t just for cooking.
How to use Cornstarch Paste to clean silver jewelry :
Step 1 : Make a thick paste by mixing cornstarch and water.
Step 2 : Apply the paste to your silver jewelry and let it dry.
Step 3 : Rub it off with a soft cloth when it’s dry.
To remove light tarnish, cornstarch works really well and adds a smooth finish to your jewelry.
- Hand Sanitizer Hack
A quick hack to remove light tarnish at home is hand sanitizer.
How to clean silver jewelry using hand sanitizer :
Step 1 : Take a small amount of hand sanitizer on a soft and clean cloth or cotton.
Step 2 : Gently scrub the areas with tarnish until it’s cleaned.
Step 3 : Wipe with a dry cloth to finish.
It’s advised to use this method occasionally because the sanitizer has alcohol in it, which over time can dry your silver jewelry.
- Professional Cleaning Services
For pieces with intricate designs, antique silver pieces, or expensive jewelry, sometimes, home made methods are not enough. So, it is advised to best seek professional cleaning services. Professionals can clean and polish your jewelry with specialized equipment and products, ensuring that it stays in excellent condition.
