How to Clean Silver

Silver jewelry and silver plated items are loved for their sparkle and shine that may fade away if they are not handled properly. Silver is one of the most fragile metals amongst those that are commonly used and hence tends to lose its luster pretty fast. Cleaning silver is the only way to maintain its look for a long time.

The most common problem with silverware and jewelry is the tarnish that forms on it. This tarnish is formed when silver is exposed to moisture and can turn silver black, gray and even green at times. The precious stones that are found on silver jewelry can make it quite difficult to clean it, and hence it is essential to determine the right method of cleaning silver, before you can start cleaning any silver item. There are quite a few methods that can be used to clean silver at home, but make sure the use of these methods does not harm your silver or silver-plated item in any way. Here are a few methods that you can use to clean the different silver items.

Ways to Clean Silver Jewelry at Home

You will need to prepare a homemade jewelry cleaner using simple household items like baking soda, aluminum foil and soap to clean silver. First of all, you will need to clean the silver jewelry with a mild soap and plain water. Wet the jewelry under running water, pour some liquid soap on an old, soft-bristled toothbrush and then run the brush over the silver jewelry gently. Clean all the grooves and corners of the jewelry item and then rinse under plain running water. Place the jewelry on a soft towel.

Then, line a pan with aluminum foil and add to this some hot water. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the hot water in the pan and stir until it dissolves thoroughly in the water. Place the clean silver jewelry in the water, such that the silver touches the aluminum foil. Let it stay in the water for around half an hour and then remove the jewelry from the pan. Rinse it under cool running water and dry it on a soft towel. You will notice a sparkle on your jewelry like it is brand new.

Silver necklaces, especially snake chains and one that have some intricate designs and patterns can be extremely difficult to clean. Therefore, to clean silver necklaces you will need to use a silver polish that is commercially available. These polishes will work better in cleaning silver jewelry and items that are otherwise difficult to clean.

You may also make use of baking soda paste on the silver item that is a little strong as compared to the aluminum foil method. Mix some baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Rub this paste on the silver jewelry and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently work the paste onto the silver and let it stay for a while. Then, rinse off the paste and thoroughly dry the silver with a soft towel.

Ways to Clean Silver-Plated Items

Silver plated items can be cleaned effectively using toothpaste that does not contain any gel. Dab some toothpaste onto the silver plated item and use a soft wash cloth to work the toothpaste on the item. Gently work the toothpaste in circular motions and then rinse off with some warm running water. You may also use some water to rinse the silver plated item and then dry it with a soft towel or washcloth.

Now that you know how to clean silver, maintaining it and keeping it clean should be easy for you. Silver can be protected from tarnishing by storing it in jewelry boxes and cleaning it immediately after use. Also make sure that it does not come in contact with moisture that can tarnish it.