Five Household Remedies to Clean Your Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry always looks its best if you wear it daily. It picks up a warm sheen, and the exposure to the open air tends to prevent corrosion and tarnish. There are times, though, that your silver jewelry may need cleaning, whether because it’s been stored away and developed tarnish or from a buildup of dirt and oils from daily wear. Most jewelers advise against using chemical cleaners on silver rings, silver bracelets, silver chains and other silvery jewelry. They can corrode and pit the surface of the metal and destroy any finish the piece may have. There are, however, a number of ways household remedies you can use to make your silver pieces gleam like new.

The Tin Foil Method

It sounds like magical thinking, but it really works. Mix warm water with table salt until the water won’t absorb anymore salt. Line a bowl or pan with aluminum foil and pour the salt water into it. Add your silver chains, silver pendants or other silver jewelry and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Rub gently with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to remove any loosened soil or tarnish that remains. Fair warning: do not use this method with silver jewelry set with opals, pearls and other soft stones that can be damaged by water.

Soap and Water

One of the best cleaning methods for plain silver jewelry is plain old soap and water. Choose a gentle washing up liquid or dishwashing liquid and add it to warm water. Dip a soft cloth into the soapy water and gently clean your silver jewelry. You can use a bit of energy on the rubbing – just be sure you’re using a soft, non-abrasive cloth, like an old, worn T-shirt.

Vinegar

Silver earrings, silver barrettes and other silver jewelry worn in or around the hair sometimes collect a build-up of hairspray which can resist other methods of cleaning. Try this method, often used by beauty pageant contestants to clean their silver tiaras and crowns. Wet a corner of a soft, non-abrasive cloth with plain white vinegar and gently rub until the hairspray dissolves. Rinse with clear water.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth will work just the way that vinegar does. Just wet a corner of a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently rub until the hairspray or cosmetic residue dissolves.

Spray Bottle

Silver chains can be time-consuming and difficult to clean, but this method makes cleaning your chains a breeze. Mix up a cup of vinegar with a cup of water and pour it into a spray bottle. Loop your silver chains over a broomstick between two chairs or a hanger and put newspaper or a towel on the floor. Spray the chains liberally with the vinegar solution and let it drip off, taking dirt and grease with it.

Silver jewelry is always most beautiful when it’s clean. These methods of cleaning cost you practically nothing and will clean the jewelry safely.