Silver is a precious metal that forms when small stars explode in what’s known as supernovae. It’s no wonder why silver jewelry adds so much sparkle to an outfit—it’s made from a star.
You’d think jewelry made from the stars could last though time, but silver is a soft metal that tarnishes easily.
Luckily, proper cleaning can return silver to its former glory and the right products are in your pantry!
Read on to learn how to make a DIY silver jewelry cleaner that will have your jewelry sparkling like new in no time.
Make Sure Your Silver Jewelry Is Safe to Clean
Before you start cleaning, you need to know what’s safe for your particular piece of jewelry. If it has soft stones like turquoise or pearls, don’t soak or scrub the jewelry or you could damage the stone.
You also need to make sure it’s sterling silver and not just silver plated jewelry. If your jewelry is just plated with silver, that finish could rub off during cleaning.
Sterling silver is an alloy that’s 92.5% silver. A 925 stamp on your jewelry, like the pieces from www.DreamlandJewelry.com have, will tell you it’s sterling and therefore safe to clean.
The Soap and Water Method
If your everyday jewelry looks a bit dull, start with some warm water and a few drops of dish soap. If your jewelry is safe to submerge, let it soak for about 5 minutes. This is a good method for silver diamond rings as well as gold.
Then, use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the surface. Rinse it with some clean water and dry it with a soft microfiber cloth.
The Baking Soda Paste Method
If your jewelry contains a soft stone like turquoise or a pearl, you can’t let it soak in water. That’s where this method comes in.
Make a thick paste with some baking soda and water. Use your finger, a soft toothbrush, or a Q-tip to gently brush the paste on the silver. Rinse the jewelry with fresh water.
Then, use a soft microfiber cloth to buff the surface dry.
The Aluminum Foil Method
If you have several chains, bracelets, or plain silver bands that need cleaning, try the aluminum foil method. It’s best to avoid this method if you need to clean jewelry with gemstones. It will clean the silver, but it can damage the stones.
Get a large enough pan or bowl that can hold all the pieces you want to clean without them touching each other. Line it with a sheet of aluminum foil with the shiny side up.
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 of a cup of baking soda onto the foil. Pour boiling water on top and stir it to dissolve the soda and salt. Add your jewelry one piece at a time, taking care to keep the pieces from touching.
Let them sit for at least five minutes, rinse in fresh water, and dry with a soft cloth. The tarnish should have transferred to the foil.
Try a DIY Silver Jewelry Cleaner Today
You don’t need to buy the harsh commercial cleaners to maintain your jewelry. You can make your own DIY silver jewelry cleaner with pantry products. Try one of these methods and watch your silver shine.
If you’re looking for more content about jewelry and other accessories, check out our articles on fashion.
