How to clean silver jewellery
Silver jewellery is an investment worth protecting and caring for. Silver is a soft metal that requires special care to retain its natural beauty and luster.
That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to cleaning and caring for your silver jewellery. We’ll share our top 10 tips for cleaning and caring for your silver jewellery and how to remove the tarnish so you can enjoy it for years to come.
From simple cleaning methods to proper storage techniques, we have all the crucial information you need to keep your silver jewellery looking its best.
Whether you’re a jewellery collector or own a few unique pieces, these tips will help keep your silver jewellery in top condition.
So, let’s get started!
Old Wives Cleaning Methods
When you think about old wives cleaning methods, you most likely think of vinegar or baking soda. While these household items can be used to clean silver jewellery, proceed with caution.
Vinegar can cause silver jewellery to corrode over time. Baking soda is a great gentle abrasive that can help remove the tarnish from silver. Although, once you’ve removed the tarnish, you’ll need to polish the jewellery to restore the shine.
These methods are more effective when used in conjunction with water. The water brings down the mixture’s pH level, allowing the baking soda or vinegar to work more efficiently.
So, while these methods may seem harmless, they can cause damage to your silver jewellery over time.
Proper Storage for Silver Jewellery
When storing your silver jewellery, be mindful not to place it in humid areas. Humidity can react with the silver, causing it to tarnish.
Silver is also more likely to come into contact with other pieces of jewellery or items in your storage area. As a result, other pieces of jewellery can transfer their impurities to your silver rings and necklaces.
The very best way to keep your silver jewellery clean and safe is to use a storage box or bag. A storage box is ideal because it allows for proper airflow, reducing the likelihood of your jewellery coming into contact with other pieces and impurities.
On the other hand, a storage bag is a good option if you have many pieces of jewellery to store. It allows you to keep all your pieces together yet separate from one another.
Cleaning Silver Jewellery
Cleaning your silver jewellery is essential to preserving its beauty.
Silver jewellery is prone to tarnishing. Silver is a very soft metal that can be damaged by aggressive cleaning methods. While it is normal for silver to tarnish over time, frequent cleaning is not recommended.
That’s why avoiding cleaning your silver jewellery with chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, or ultrasonic cleaners is best.
Instead, try our top 3 tips for cleaning silver jewellery:
- For light tarnish, try a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth is a safe and gentle way to remove the tarnish from your silver jewellery.
- If a polishing cloth isn’t effective enough, you can try a mild detergent and warm water. Avoid using soap that contains harsh chemicals, like sodium hydroxide and sulphates.
- For stubborn tarnish, low-pressure compressed air can be effective without the risk of damaging your jewellery.
Avoiding Damage to Silver Jewellery
Avoid using a silver cleaner or silver polish when treating your silver jewellery. These cleaners and polishes contain chemicals that are too harsh for the silver, causing it to become porous and brittle over time.
The very best way to clean your silver jewellery is with mild detergent and warm water. Avoid using soap that contains harsh chemicals, like sodium hydroxide and sulphates.
If your silver jewellery is heavily tarnished, you may be tempted to use a scouring pad or an abrasive toothbrush. This can damage the surface of your jewellery, especially if it is antique or vintage.
Other ways to avoid damaging your silver jewellery include:
- Avoiding contact with chemicals.
- Storing your jewellery in a jewellery box.
- Wearing jewellery only when necessary.
Tips for Caring for Silver Jewellery
Here are some really quick and easy reference tips on caring for your silver jewellery:
- Store your silver jewellery in a jewellery box made of wood, plastic, or velvet.
- Avoid storing your silver jewellery in an unsealed tin can because the silver can come into contact with the tin and become tarnished.
- Avoid sleeping or exercising while wearing your silver jewellery. Our bodies naturally produce sweat and oil while we sleep or exercise. These substances can cause your silver jewellery to tarnish.
- If your silver jewellery gets wet, gently wipe it clean with a soft, dry cloth in circular motions.
- Avoid using household cleaners on your silver jewellery.
- If your jewellery is particularly tarnished, take it to a professional jeweller for cleaning.
Protecting Your Silver Jewellery from Tarnishing
If you want to protect your silver jewellery from tarnishing, try one of the following methods:
- Place a clean, thin piece of fabric or a small resealable bag of silica gel in your jewellery box or pouch.
- Place a paper bag with an open bag of baking soda inside your box or bag.
- Place an open bag of activated carbon inside your box or bag.
- If you are storing your silver jewellery away for an extended period, be sure to check it for signs of tarnishing every 6 months.
- If your silver jewellery does begin to tarnish, you can clean it really well with a mild detergent solution. Add a small amount of detergent to a bowl of warm water and stir until dissolved. Re-clean your silver jewellery once per month to keep it looking its best.
How to Clean Silver Jewellery with Things Found at Home
You can use a non-abrasive soft toothbrush or a small nail brush to clean your silver jewellery for quick cleaning.
Simply dip the toothbrush in baking soda and brush gently on the jewellery.
You can try a mixture of baking soda and water for stubborn tarnish. Simply add baking soda to a bowl of warm water. Stir until dissolved, and then use a soft cloth to wipe the jewellery clean.
You can also dip your jewellery in a cup of warm water mixed with salt. Be sure to dry your silver jewellery thoroughly after cleaning.
How to Restore Silver Jewellery’s Luster
If your silver rings are looking a little dull, you can restore their luster with a few household items. Begin by rinsing the jewellery in warm water.
Next, add a small amount of mild dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Place your silver jewellery in the soapy water and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush.
Once the jewellery is clean and dry, try placing it in a bag of baking soda and allowing it to sit overnight. Alternatively, you can try using an old clean sock.
Place the silver jewellery inside the sock and add a few drops of white vinegar. Shake gently and then allow the jewellery to air dry to remove the tarnish.
Professional Cleaning Services for Silver Jewellery
If you want to clean your silver jewellery but need help properly, you can visit your local jewellery store and ask them to clean your items for you.
Most jewellery stores offer cleaning services and charge by the item or by the pound. Make sure the store uses non-toxic cleaning solutions and has the proper equipment to clean your items.
Remember that not all cleaning services are created equal when choosing a service.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can check online for cleaning kits or DIY cleaning kits. Ensure the cleaning kits are for silver jewellery and that the cleaning solution doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
Best Practices for Silver Jewellery That is Worn Daily
Silver jewellery, including ashes to rings or ashes to necklace are timeless and beautiful accessories, perfect for any occasion and as lasting memorials. But if you wear your silver jewellery on a daily basis, it’s essential to take proper care of it.
Here are a few of the very best practices for silver jewellery that is worn daily:
- First, it’s essential to remove your jewellery when washing your hands, showering, and swimming, as this can cause tarnish and discolouration.
- Second, keeping your jewellery in individual airtight bags is recommended, as this will help prevent tarnish.
- Third, you should avoid exposing your jewellery to harsh chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, and cleaning products.
- And lastly, you should clean your silver jewellery regularly to keep it looking its best. Use a soft cloth and a cleaner specifically designed for silver to keep your silver jewellery sparkling and looking new.
So if you’re wearing your silver memorial jewellery every day, following these best practices will ensure that your jewellery will stay looking beautiful for years to come.
