HOW TO CLEAN STERLING SILVER & STERLING SILVER W/GEMSTONES JEWELRY
BE CAREFUL…
If you search how to clean sterling silver, you will probably find yourself looking at a cleaning method that uses vinegar and aluminum. Though this does clean sterling silver, it’s not something you should try if your jewelry has gemstones
CLEANING STERLING SILVER WITH GEMSTONES: THE DISH SOAP METHOD
This is probably the easiest and safest way to clean your sterling silver jewelry with gemstones. The soap won’t hurt your silver or your gem.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO GET STARTED:
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- Toothbrush/lint free cloth
- Towel (optional)
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Heat up some water either on the stove or in the microwave. The amount you’ll need depends on how many pieces of jewelry you want to clean, but in general, you shouldn’t need more than a cup or two.
Once the water is warm, separate it into two different bowls. It doesn’t have to be exact, just splitting it roughly in half is fine.
Mix a bit of dish soap into one of the bowls. Again, the amount will depend on how much jewelry you are planning to clean, but don’t get hung up on how much soap or water to add. Your only goal is to make the water slightly soapy so it will help clean your rings.
Just be aware that the more soap you add the more slippery your jewelry will be which could make it hard to hold.
WHEN EVERYTHING IS SET UP
Dip your toothbrush into the soapy water and scrub your sterling silver jewelry, gemstone and all. Make sure you get any dirt or lotion sitting behind the gem or along its corners.
When you’re done scrubbing, dip the jewelry into your other bowl of warm water to rinse it off. Then pat it dry with a towel.
If you’re worried that a toothbrush might be too hard on your silver or gemstone, you can use a lint-free cloth instead.
CLEANING STERLING SILVER JEWELRY: THE TOOTHPASTE METHOD
This is another good way to clean your sterling silver rings, even if they have gemstones, but you have to be a little more careful with this method.
Toothpaste can be abrasive, and if you use the wrong type, you risk damaging your silver or scratch your stones in the process of cleaning them. So, if you choose to clean your jewelry with toothpaste, make sure the toothpaste doesn’t have any whiteners (other than baking soda), tartar control, or other similar chemicals. You should also avoid any type of gel.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO GET STARTED:
- Baking soda toothpaste
- Toothbrush/lint-free cloth
- Warm water
- Towel
WHAT TO DO NEXT
You’ll want to start by warming up some water again. Don’t worry about the exact amount. You’ll just use it to damped the jewelry before you apply the toothpaste.
Put it into a small bowl and set aside.
Put some of the baking powder toothpaste on the toothbrush, but don’t overdo it. Whereas you might squirt a generous clump to actually brush your teeth, right now you are brushing something a little more delicate.
AFTER EVERYTHING’S SET UP
Dip your jewelry into the warm water then start scrubbing with your prepared toothbrush. Make sure you get into those crevices around the jewelry. When you’re done scrubbing, rinse both your jewelry and the toothbrush with the warm water.
(Depending on how much toothpaste you used, you may want to wash your toothbrush off in the sink).
Scrub the jewelry a second time without any toothpaste. This will take off any remaining debris and toothpaste. Rinse the jewelry again and pat it dry with your towel.
You can always switch the toothbrush for a lint-free cloth if you are concerned the toothbrush will be too rough.
WHAT IF I ALSO WANT TO POLISH THE SILVER?
If you have a silver polish, you can polish your sterling silver jewelry after it has been cleaned. You do have to be careful to avoid getting any of the polish on your gemstone.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO GET STARTED:
- Sterling silver polish
- Soft cloth
- Lint-free cloth
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Apply some of the sterling silver polish to the corner of your soft cloth. Rub polish onto the jewelry in general, back and forth motions. Don’t use circle movements because this can scratch the silver.
Let the polish sit for a few minutes. The exact amount of time will depend on the kind of polish you have, so adhere to the package instructions.
Wipe off the rest of the polish with a lint-free cloth. This will make the silver shiny and bright again.
KEEP YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY CLEAN
Like any other kind of jewelry, your sterling silver jewelry need to be properly maintain and cleaned. Whenever you aren’t wearing them, store them away from any other jewelry so they don’t get scratched.
STERLING SILVER W/O GEMSTONES
UNDERSTANDING WHY YOUR STERLING SILVER TARNISHES
Tarnish is simply the result of a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur particles in the air. With a few easy-to-follow tips, you can take care of your sterling silver jewelry and make it last for years to come!
PREVENTING TARNISH WITH THESE DAILY WEARING TIPS
- Wear it often:Believe it or not, your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver jewelry shiny. One of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish is to simply wear your silver often as opposed to letting it sit in a jewelry box unworn.
- Remove during household chores:Substances with additional sulfur like household cleaners, chlorinated water, perspiration, and rubber will accelerate corrosion and tarnish. It’s a good idea to remove sterling silver completely before cleaning.
- Keep out of direct sunlight:Before you hit the beach or pool, be sure to remove your silver jewelry. Sunlight can cause silver to tarnish as well.
- Put your jewelry on last:For generations, women have been putting their jewelry on last and that’s for good reason! Lotions, makeups, hair spray and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY
There are countless at-home methods for cleaning your silver jewelry. You’ve probably found yourself faced with endless options, wondering which are the best. Well, here are some silver cleaning methods suggestions for your at-home cleanings:
- Soap and water:This is the most recommended method because of the gentleness of soap and water. This should really be your first line of defense before trying anything else. Immerse the sterling silver in the water and gently hand wash. Use a cotton swab for tight corners. A soft baby toothbrush can be used for more abrasive cleaning when needed. Thoroughly rinse and completely dry the sterling silver before storing, as moisture is one of the factors that contribute to tarnishing!
- Baking soda and water:If you come across suggestions to use toothpaste, I highly recommend you ignore that tip and use baking soda and water instead. When toothpastes were simple non-whitening, non-gel based pastes, they could be used on your jewelry. However, they include many more ingredients now that may damage your silver. Instead make a paste from baking soda and water, apply a small amount onto a cloth or tooth brush and scrub gently.
- White vinegar and baking soda:This gentle cleaning method is great for removing heavy tarnish. Soak your sterling silver in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp of baking soda (combine these in the sink and prepare yourself for the fizzing and foam) for two to three hours. Rinse jewelry and pat dry.
- Finish with a polish:After you’ve given your jewelry a good cleaning, you can finish the process by using a polishing cloth that’s specifically for sterling silver.
You can repeat this process as often as needed. Remember, the key to keeping your sterling silver clean is to keep up with regular cleanings to remove tarnish as it builds.
There are many other methods that you’ll come across, but I highly suggest these three because of how gentle they are on your silver jewelry.
HOW TO PROPERLY STORE YOUR SILVER JEWELRY
- Use an air-tight container:any container can be used to store your silver, as long as its air-tight. Zip-lock bag are great, but you can also find specialty jewelry bags for a more attractive option.
- Keep in a cool, dark place:as mentioned earlier, sunlight, heat and moisture accelerate tarnishing. Be sure to keep your silver in a cool, dark place.
- Store pieces individually:storing your pieces separately prevents any chance of jewelry scratching or tangling with each other.
- Consider anti-tarnish strips:you can throw in some anti-tarnish strips with your jewelry to help prevent tarnishing.
- Do not store in paper, cardboard, or cotton-filled boxes:these boxes may contain traces of sulfur which will contribute to tarnishing.
PRODUCTS THAT HELP PREVENT TARNISH
There are a few other things you may try when looking for ways to prevent your sterling silver jewelry from tarnishing.
- Store jewelry with chalk:If you throw a few pieces of chalk in with your sterling silver, the chalk will absorb the moisture and help prevent tarnishing.
- Use silica packs:When you buy new clothing or shoes, sometimes you’ll find silica packs in with them. Hold onto these and toss them in your jewelry box. They’re great for absorbing moisture!
- Anti-tarnish cloths:Lining your jewelry box with anti-tarnish cloths is a great idea. These cloths absorb sulfur and moisture from the air and are usually chemically treated to prevent tarnish.