How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelery

Remove tarnish and dirt from your sterling silver jewelry in a few easy steps.

Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver is a very soft metal and not very durable; adding copper to silver to make sterling silver creates a hard, durable metal. Even with the durability of sterling silver, it can become tarnished and dirty. Salt and chlorine are two culprits that can have a negative effect on your sterling silver jewelry. To get your sterling pieces looking new again, use one of these home remedies.

Things You'll Need

• Polishing cloth
• Powdered, non-bleach laundry detergent
• Water
• Bowl
• Aluminum foil
• Dish detergent
• Soft-bristled toothbrush

Instructions

Tarnish

1. Polish your jewelry to remove as much of the tarnish as you can.

2. Line the inside of a bowl with aluminum foil. Add 1 cup hot water and 1 tablespoon powdered, non-bleach laundry detergent. Mix well.

3. Place your tarnished sterling silver jewelry in the detergent solution and let it soak for a few minutes. Powdered laundry detergent contains boric acid which will loosen the tarnish and attach to the aluminum foil.

4. Rinse well with warm water, and allow the jewelry to air dry.

Dirt and Residue

1. Rub the jewelry with the polishing cloth to remove as much dirt as possible.

2. Mix 1 teaspoon dish detergent with 1 cup water in a bowl. Place the jewelry in the dish detergent solution.

3. Soak the jewelry overnight. The detergent will remove dirt and residue trapped in hidden areas of your jewelry that you can't reach with a polishing cloth. If any dirt or residue remains on your jewelry, gently scrub the piece with a soft toothbrush. Rinse well with warm water and let the jewelry air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent tarnish on your sterling silver jewelry, place it in a soft cloth and seal it in a plastic storage bag.

• Remove your sterling silver before swimming in salt or chlorinated water.

• Consult a jeweler before using these methods on jewelry with gemstones.

References

• Sterling Silver Jewelry Site: How Do I Care For My Sterling Silver Jewelry?
• Jewelry 24 Seven: Jewelry Polishing Care and Cleaning
• Silverflake: How To Clean Silver Jewelry
• Blue Nile: Jewelry Education--Silver