How to Clean Your Silver Jewelry At Home In 10 Minutes (or less)!

Silver jewelry is probably the most worn and one of the more affordable fine jewelry in the market. Brands like Tiffany’s and Pandora have really made sterling silver very popular. But how on earth can we keep our pieces looking like new? How can we clean silver jewelry at home, in minutes?

Clean Silver Jewelry With Polishing Cloth (Non-Toxic Method)

I know this is probably the most common way you’ve heard of to clean silver jewelry. I have a few options that I use, but my favorite cloth is from Amazon. This Mayflower polishing cloth is one of the larger ones in the market. It’s dual-sided with a white side, which has cleaning properties to remove the tarnish and buildup from your jewelry. Then, use the grey side, to buff your silver jewelry and make it shine!

One thing to note is that as you clean your silver pieces, you’ll see black stains on the cloth. Do not wash the cloth to remove those stains! Because this cloth is double-sided, the white cloth has cleaning ingredients in it. You’ll wind up washing those out instead. Even though the cloth will eventually turn black, it will still clean your silver jewelry.

I’d replace the cloth once it’s all black, only because at times the black color can transfer to your fingers as you clean your jewelry.

Time: Depending on how many pieces, ~10 minutes.

Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda (Non-Toxic Method)

I was skeptical about this at first, but the science behind this method makes sense! You line a bowl using aluminum foil. Use equal parts of salt and baking soda. Add boiling water and make sure that your silver jewelry is in the solution. Keep your jewelry at a distance from one another and make sure it all touches the aluminum foil. 5 minutes later, remove it, (be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water) and rinse. Pat it dry and you’re done! If you’re not happy with the results or need to clean it more, you can repeat the process.

Using this method, you’re technically electroplating silver back onto your jewelry. Check out Wired.com for the science behind how this process works. It’s a great read!

Time: 7 minutes

Toothpaste (Non-Toxic Method)

Using a non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste is a classic DIY when it comes to cleaning silver jewelry. There are lots of discussions about whether this is a good way of cleaning jewelry because it can be abrasive. But if you opt for this method, use a small amount on a cloth and massage it gently into your silver jewelry. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Toothpaste has whitening agents that remove tarnish and buildup.

If you use the wrong type of toothpaste, it will damage the surface of your pieces because toothpaste, believe it or not, can run between 4.5 – 5 on the Moh’s scale of hardness (diamonds are at 10).

Time: 5 minutes

Note: You’ll notice above that I’ve categorized these methods as non-toxic. There are other methods that are very popular, ones using Vinegar or Ammonia, but these chemicals are very harsh on jewelry. While they do work, I wouldn’t recommend them.

Coca-Cola’s Real Magic Works to Clean Silver Jewelry!

While your parents and everyone will tell you how bad Cola is for your health, it’s actually a great cleaning agent if you’re in a hurry.

The acid in Coke actually does all the magic. Place your silver jewelry in a bowl with Coke for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

I wouldn’t categorize this as toxic, but acid isn’t a great option to clean jewelry, especially silver heirlooms or any antique pieces. I’d recommend this only if you have no other option.

Time: 7 minutes

Ketchup. Yes, Your Favorite Condiment Cleans Silver Jewelry!

Ketchup is not my favorite condiment but it does clean silver jewelry. Ketchup and Coke both have acid, which helps remove the tarnish from jewelry. Tomatoes are acidic and make a great cleaning agent, but again, it’s not something I would recommend often. Rub the ketchup onto your pieces using a soft cloth. Rinse and pat dry.

I’m not too keen on this method because most ketchup has sugar and that might prove to be too abrasive. Also, leaving the ketchup on too long or having your jewelry submerged in Coke too long is dangerous because the acid will eat through the top layer of silver.

Time: 5 minutes

Cleaning Tiffany and Company Silver Jewelry

Tiffany and Company are probably one of the leading luxury brands when it comes to sterling silver jewelry. I own a few pieces as well and I’ve learned one thing: it’s best to use their products.

Why?

Tiffany’s will repair pieces you purchase from them, but that doesn’t mean that if you ruin your jewelry using a harsh cleaner, that they will replace it for you. Nope.

When it comes to luxury brands, I rather spend a bit more and purchase their cleaner. Or, make an appointment at your local Tiffany and Company boutique and ask them to professionally polish your pieces for you.

For any reason, if you don’t want to do any of these, I’d suggest my first option with the polishing cloth. Usually, Tiffany’s will give you one with your purchase or you can buy one separately. Or better yet, try Amazon and get the Mayflower brand that I mentioned earlier.

The other option is mild soap and water. Wash your silver jewelry with mild soap and water and be sure to pat it completely dry. Keeping moisture on your silver jewelry is one of the reasons it tarnishes!

Cleaning Pandora Silver Jewelry

Pandora is one of my favorite sterling silver jewelry boutiques. I love their pieces and own quite a few. My bracelets are well-worn and well-loved. Just like with Tiffany’s I’d suggest purchasing their cleaner or taking them into the shop to be professionally cleaned.

You can use the above techniques on the bracelet alone but I wouldn’t suggest that with the charms unless they’re just plain sterling silver ones. Pandora charms have semi-precious stones, and those can be harder to clean because they’re softer and more delicate, for example, mother of pearl charms that Pandora has in their collection.

Some of the charms and pieces have enamel and using any acidic agents will ruin your jewelry.

My opinion? Stick to a polishing cloth or let the store professionally clean them for you.

Do Not Use These Ingredients to Clean Your Silver Jewelry

Vinegar

Lemon Juice

Ammonia

Certain toothpaste (gel and abrasive)

Items containing sulfur

Using acids or abrasive cleaners will remove silver, by eating at the top layers of your silver jewelry. When in doubt, ask your jeweler and make sure that you follow directions carefully. Not all damage can be undone. You might risk ruining your jewelry permanently!

Remember to store your silver jewelry in a tarnish-free box or cloth. Keep them away from high temperatures, water, or exposing them to air. Keeping them away from the elements will prevent tarnishing and will keep your pieces looking like new. Some purchases come with a small black piece of paper, sealed in a pouch with your jewelry. Do not throw that away! It’s an anti-tarnish paper!

These are just some methods I use, in a jiffy, to clean my silver jewelry at home. What methods do you prefer? Lemme know!

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