How to Clean Silver Jewellery at Home, Piece by Piece

Short answer: For most silver jewellery, wipe it with a soft cloth after each wear and wash it now and then in lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Dry it completely and store it in an airtight pouch. Do not use toothpaste or harsh dips, never wet kundan, and never soak pearls or pieces strung on thread.

First, know what you are cleaning

Silver darkens over time. That is chemistry, not a fault. The right way to clean it depends on the finish and on what is set into it:

How to clean a silver chain at home

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Soak the chain for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Work along the links with a soft toothbrush. A baby toothbrush is ideal.
4. Close the sink drain, then rinse the chain under running water.
5. Pat it dry with a soft cotton cloth and leave it out until it is fully dry. Water caught between the links is what makes a chain darken again quickly.

The same method works for plain silver earrings, bracelets and rings with no stones.

How to clean a silver chain that has turned black

For heavy tarnish on plain silver only, mix baking soda with a little water into a paste. Rub it on gently with your fingers or a soft cloth, rinse well and dry. Baking soda is mildly gritty, so keep it for the times soap and water are not enough.

Another home method: line a bowl with aluminium foil, add a spoon of baking soda and hot water, and lay the silver on the foil for a few minutes. The tarnish lifts away. Use this only on plain silver with no stones, plating or oxidising, because it strips those finishes too.

How to clean oxidised jewellery

Oxidised silver is darkened on purpose, so the grooves of the design stand out. Cleaning it the way you clean plain silver removes the very finish you paid for.

• Wipe it with a dry, soft cloth after each wear.
• If it feels grimy, dip it quickly in lukewarm soapy water, brush it lightly and dry it straight away.
• Never use silver polish, dips, baking soda or the foil method on it.

How to clean gold-plated silver

Gold plating is a thin layer, and every rub takes a little of it away. Wipe gold-plated pieces with a dry, soft cloth and leave it there. Silver polishing cloths are made to remove a surface layer, so keep them away from plating. Put on perfume and lotion first, and let them dry before you wear the piece.

Pearls, kundan and black-bead mangalsutras

• Pearls: wipe them with a damp soft cloth after wearing and let them dry flat. Do not soak them or use hot water.
• Kundan: keep it dry. Water can seep behind the stones and dull them. Brush dust away with a soft, dry brush.
• Mangalsutras and other thread-strung pieces: do not soak them, because water weakens the thread. Clean only the pendant with a damp cloth and dry it.

What not to use on silver

• Toothpaste: it is abrasive and leaves fine scratches.
• Bleach and chlorine: they damage silver. Take your jewellery off before swimming.
• Paper tissues: they can scratch polished silver. Use cotton or microfibre.
• Hot water on pearls and stones: it can loosen settings and dull pearls.

How to store silver so it stays bright

• Keep each piece in its own small zip bag and press the air out before you seal it.
• Add a silica gel sachet to your jewellery box to soak up moisture.
• Do not store silver in the bathroom.
• Jewellery goes on last and comes off first: after perfume, lotion and hairspray, and before bathing or exercise.

Questions people ask

How often should I clean silver jewellery?
Wipe it after every wear. A wash with soap and water every few months, or when it looks dull, is enough for most pieces.

Can I clean silver with toothpaste?
It is better not to. Toothpaste is abrasive and leaves fine scratches, especially on polished silver.

Why does my silver turn black so fast?
Humidity, sweat, perfume and air all speed up tarnish. Drying pieces fully and storing them in airtight bags slows it down.

Want to know what your silver is made of? Read what 925 silver means.