Knowing how to clean silver jewelry is a necessity as silver oxidizes and tarnishes with time. There are many commercial silver cleaners on the market, but several very effective homemade silver cleaners use everyday products found right in the pantry. Here are the top jeweler recommended DIY silver cleaners.
All of the methods described below are meant for silver alone without gemstones. Some cleaners and methods could dissolve adhesives or even damage certain gemstones. For example, pearls are very sensitive to ammonia and should never be steamed or boiled. If your silver jewelry includes gemstones, be sure to research how to clean the gemstone itself rather than the silver.
Jump Ahead
- Soap and Water
- Baking Soda Paste
- Aluminum Foil and Salt
- Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
- Ketchup
Soap and Water
If your silver jewelry is dull or lightly tarnished, jewelers suggest trying the most gentle cleaning method, a simple mild detergent and water soak for thirty minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. If any tarnish remains, lightly scrub with a soft brush if necessary.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is an effective cleaner for tarnished silver. Simply make a paste by adding a small amount of water to baking soda. Gently rub the silver with the paste, rinse with warm water, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Aluminum Foil and Salt
This DIY silver cleaning method involves a fascinating chemical reaction that occurs between aluminum foil and tarnishes. The tarnish on silver is known as silver sulfide. Aluminum reacts with silver sulfide, which carries it from the silver to the aluminum. The reaction is faster with hot water.
Begin by boiling two cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl lined with aluminum foil. Add two tablespoons of salt and your tarnished silver. The silver must be touching the aluminum foil for the reaction to occur.
Heavily tarnished pieces may require several treatments. Adding baking soda to the solution may also speed up the process.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar is another acidic homemade solution that cleans silver. For this method, soak your sterling silver jewelry in a solution of half a cup of white vinegar combined with two tablespoons of baking soda. Soak for two to three hours, rinse, and pat dry.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
The acids in lemon juice can help clean silver effectively—Mix one-half cup of lemon juice with a teaspoon of olive oil in a large bowl. Use a microfiber cloth to polish your silver with the solution, then rinse it under warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Ketchup to Clean Silver
According to some, the acids in ketchup work great as silver tarnish remover. Place your silver in a small bowl and cover it with ketchup. Only leave in for a minute or so. Remove and gently rub with a soft brush. Rinse quickly, removing all the ketchup and drying with a soft cloth.
A Word on Commercial Silver Cleaners (Silver Dips)
If you are going to use a commercial cleaner, Hannon Jewelers suggests using one that contains thiourea. Thiourea acts as a chelating agent, grabbing and bonding with the tarnish layer, effectively dissolving it. Thiourea acid solutions are often sold commercially as “silver dips.”
Silver Jewelry Care Between Cleanings
To prevent your silver jewelry from tarnishing when you aren’t wearing it, store it in an airtight container and keep it in a jewelry box to prevent oxidation from air and moisture.
Resources – “Homemade Silver Cleaners”
- International Gem Society – “Opal and Pearl Care Guide.”
- Professor Bassam Shakhashiri – “Remove Tarnish from Silver.”
- Journal of Cultural Heritage – “A Comparative Study of Cleaning Methods for Tarnished Silver.”
