If you’re cleaning a lot of jewelry at once, you can use more water. For just one piece of jewelry, use less water. If your jewelry has gemstones, make sure they won’t be affected by being submerged in a saltwater solution. This solution is gentle on most stones, but if you’re cleaning very fine jewelry with expensive gemstones, you’re better off taking it to a professional just in case. You can also contact your jeweler for advice.
Tarnish happens when the surface of silver combines with sulfur and turns into silver sulfide, which is black. When silver sulfide reacts with aluminum in a salt solution, the chemical reaction between the substances turns the silver sulfide back to silver. The reaction happens faster when the solution is warm. [2] X Research source If you don’t have table salt on hand, you can use baking soda instead. It has the right properties to facilitate the same chemical reaction.
If you’re working with deeply tarnished silver, you might need to repeat the process two or more times. Make sure the solution is completely heated, since the reaction is much slower if the solution is cool.
Even special polishes can remove a layer of silver, so get a professional cleaning if you’re dealing with a delicate piece. [5] X Expert Source Kennon YoungCertified Jeweler Expert Interview. 11 September 2019. Instead of buying silver polish from the drugstore, consider getting it from a jewelry store or a store with a high-quality jewelry department. [6] X Expert Source Kennon YoungCertified Jeweler Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
Try toothpaste. Select a plain white toothpaste without the special whitening options. Take a soft, dampened cloth or a damp sponge and put some toothpaste on it. Gently rub over the silver jewelry in straight, back-and-forth motions. Be very gentle, and if you notice scratching at any point, stop and rinse the toothpaste off. As the cloth or sponge becomes dark with tarnish, add more toothpaste to a clean part of the dampened cloth/sponge and continue gently polishing. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft towel. Baking soda may remove stubborn tarnish, but don’t use it unless you don’t mind the risk of damaging the silver. Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, gently rub it into the surface of the jewelry, and rinse when the tarnish is removed. [7] X Expert Source Alicia SokolowskiGreen Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.
Prompt cleaning is especially important when the silver jewelry has been exposed to certain foods containing sulfur, or those which are acidic or salty. In particular, common foods such as table salt, eggs, some fruits, onions, mayonnaise, and vinegar are harmful to silver. In any case, wash your silver jewelry right away or at least rinse it well with warm water, and don’t leave silver sitting in dishwater that may contain traces of these foods.
You should also avoid using rubber gloves when washing silver, as rubber corrodes silver jewelry. Stainless steel can also damage the finish if it comes into contact with your silver jewelry, so avoid putting it in the sink; use a bowl to wash it in instead.
Silver can be so soft that even using a scratchy, rough towel could be enough to make indentations in its surface. Make sure to use a soft cloth. As you dry the jewelry, gently buff the shine back with a soft cotton cloth.
Wrap each piece of silverware in acid-free tissue paper or anti-tarnish paper. You can also wrap pieces in flannel. Store the silver in a compartment separate from the rest of your jewelry. Never store silver jewelry where it can contact rubber, stainless steel, or paint.
