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Think of a special occasion when you are going out for dinner. Everything is just right, from the outfit to the shoes, to the makeup. But, the moment you open your jewellery box to add your favorite Sterling Silver Daisy Necklace And Earrings, you discover it is covered in awful brown and black tarnish, preventing it from being worn. Now what?
Even though silver tarnish can be removed easily enough, removing it in the wrong way or with the wrong products can result in more tarnish or – even worse – damage to your jewellery. Moreover, the process of cleaning silver jewellery is easier than it seems and only requires a few simple tools and techniques. Upon learning this process, cleaning your favorite silver pieces will become easier for you, and you’ll never be shocked by seeing a tarnished necklace in your jewellery box again. Read on to learn how to clean your silver jewellery properly so that you can enjoy wearing your favorite pieces.
5 Ways To Clean Silver Jewellery At Home
Silver jewellery can be cleaned in a variety of ways. The method you choose depends on how tarnished the piece is, what materials you have on hand, and how careful you want to be.
You should check the manufacturer’s care instructions if you bought your silver jewellery online. Additionally, you need to check whether they are selling some silver jewellery cleaning products or not and if so, order the silver cleaning products and follow the instructions given by them. Find out how to take care of your Silver Jewellery pieces with this care and cleaning guide.
Soap and Water Solution
Using this method will help to remove dust and grime, improving the appearance of your jewellery and making it easier to remove tarnishes. Using a soft cleaning cloth, wipe the silver with this soap-water solution. If needed, you can use a soft-bristled brush, but be careful not to scratch the surface.
Additionally, you can also use this soap and water solution to remove any chemical residue left behind after cleaning. To remove soap residue or any other chemicals after completing any cleaning process, rinse your jewellery thoroughly with clean water. Once your pieces are dry, wipe them with a soft cloth quickly and well.
Silver Dipping
You should always keep a good quality silver dip on hand for your sterling silver jewellery cleaning. Usually, it will work very quickly and easily for lighter tarnish. Silver dip uses a chemical process to remove tarnish from silver quickly. Generally, it takes less than a minute to remove lighter tarnish.
You can also use it to remove tarnish from crevices that are impossible to reach with a cloth or soft brush. Therefore, it may be beneficial to finish with a silver dip after more intensive cleaning methods to reach areas you cannot otherwise reach. Ensure you follow the instructions provided with the silver dip you have at hand. The silver will tarnish faster in the future if a residue from the dip remains on it, so be sure to thoroughly rinse the chemicals from the metal.
Silver Polish or Silver Cream
Silver cream or silver polish will work wonders for badly tarnished silver. The best polish for silver is one that is specifically formulated for use on silver. If you have bought silver jewellery like a silver bracelet online, then first read the instructions and then use it on them.
However, the polish on silver is always somewhat abrasive, so it is best to use it with caution. Silver polishes that are of better quality should generally be gentler, but they won’t be as gentle as a silver dip, electrochemical cleaning, or a silver polishing cloth. For this reason, you should use them only occasionally and generally for heavier tarnishes on jewellery.
Silver Jewellery Polishing Cloth
Silver cleaning kits should include a good quality silver polishing cloth because it can remove tarnish from jewelry more effectively. It is, however, generally easier and faster than these processes, and it is also gentler than silver creams or polishes. Jewellery polishing clothes will also enhance the shine of your jewellery. Chemicals embedded in these silver polishing cloths can remove tarnish from metal easily and effectively.
Nonetheless, we recommend using them carefully and not rubbing the silver too aggressively, as this may scuff it. In addition to removing tarnish, these polishing cloths can also give your silver a beautiful shine, which can’t be achieved with silver dip alone. As a result, they are a great follow-up to dipping. These polishing clothes will not continue to remove tarnish once they are completely black. So, when the cloth is completely black, remove it from the kit.
Homemade Electrochemical Silver Cleaner
You can generally remove heavier tarnish without damaging your silver using this eco-friendly, low-tech jewellery cleaning method. It includes ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. First, cut a piece of aluminum foil to cover the bottom of a small glass or ceramic bowl. After that, add hot water to the bowl and mix the ingredients, like one tablespoon of salt, baking soda, and gentle colorless and fragrance-free detergent.
In the bowl, place the jewellery on top of the foil and cover it with the solution and let it sit for a while. If the foil has turned a mottled gray after 5 to 10 minutes, you can discard the solution and jewellery. Replace the foil with a fresh piece if necessary and repeat the process.
Takeaway!
In conclusion, if you have cleaned your jewellery, you must carefully rinse it and dry it afterward. You shouldn’t need to repeat any of the cleaning processes too soon, as repetitive cleaning can also fade the shine of the silver jewellery. Also, make sure the water reaches all crevices in the jewellery when rinsing. Finally, use a soft dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
