How to Clean Silver Jewellery: The Best Products and DIY Tips for Home!

At Chisholm Hunter, we want to ensure that your silver jewellery looks as great as the day it left our store. To help you care for your silver jewellery, we’ve created a straightforward guide filled with top tips and expert advice. Whether you're maintaining your favourite piece or tackling tarnish, our guide has everything you need to start cleaning your silver jewellery at home.

And if you’re looking for advice on gold, we’ve got a guide for cleaning gold jewellery too!

While your silver jewellery may appear to be solid silver, many pieces are actually silver-plated. Silver-plated jewellery is made by applying a thin layer of pure silver over a base metal, such as brass or copper, to achieve that signature shine. However, silver-plated jewellery requires more care and delicacy than sterling silver, as the silver coating can wear away or tarnish over time.

In contrast, sterling silver is a high-quality, durable material that is malleable, long-lasting, and truly stunning. At Chisholm Hunter, all our silver jewellery is crafted from 925 sterling silver, ensuring your cherished pieces will endure beautifully for years to come. Caring for sterling silver is simple, as it’s far more resistant to wear compared to silver-plated jewellery.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly care for both types of silver jewellery so they can continue to shine for generations to come!

Cleaning silver jewellery can be made easier by using our incredible Jewellery Cleaning Products. Here are the best products we recommend:

• Our Silver Cleaner is the ultimate solution for revitalising your jewellery. With a soft-bristle brush, gently apply the cleaner to your piece, then wipe it off for a quick, hassle-free shine—no mess, no fuss!
• For everyday care, the Connoisseurs Jewellery Wipes are incredible. Keep it in your purse and give your silver ring or necklace a good clean on the go. With anti-tarnish properties, your jewellery will glimmer for longer.  
• Ready to get into all those little nooks and crannies? The Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops, with a soft silver cleansing brush included, allow you to get every inch of your favourite pieces for an all-over shine.  

While the above products are great for giving your silver jewellery the royal treatment, there are still plenty of ways you can clean your silver jewellery at home without fancy products.  
Remember, silver, whether silver-plated or 925 sterling silver, is a soft metal. Meaning you want to be careful and treat each piece with care.  

What You'll Need

• Lukewarm water 
• Baking soda - a versatile, non-toxic cleaner. Mixed with water, it gently removes rust and dark spots while restoring sparkle to surfaces.
• A soft-bristled brush
• A soft lint-free cloth

The Method

1. Create Your Paste: Simply add a few tablespoons of water to 2 tablespoons of baking soda until a paste begins to form. Your paste should be thick enough to spread across your jewellery without running off.  
2. Spread The Paste: Spread the paste onto your jewellery and with a soft bristle brush begin rubbing the dirt away. This can be done section by section until each part of the jewellery is clean. Avoid any gemstones such as diamonds, pearls, or even sapphires. These are soft gemstones and may damage easily.
3. Rinse with Clean Water: Use fresh lukewarm water to rinse your jewellery of any excess baking soda paste that may remain.
4. Dry Your Jewellery: Using a lint-free cloth, gently wipe your jewellery clean and watch it sparkle! 

Run out of baking soda? Not to worry, there are a few more tricks you can try!

• Toothpaste:  Opt for a non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. These types are gentle on your precious silver items. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Gently rub the toothpaste onto your jewellery or silverware using circular motions. Watch the tarnish disappear as you bring back the shine.
• Beer: Grab your favourite brew and pour it into a cup. Let your silver items soak in the beer for approximately 10 minutes. After the soak, remove the silver and gently rub it with a clean cloth.
• Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Combine a tablespoon of olive oil with a few tablespoons of lemon juice in a small bowl. The acidity of the lemon juice and the soft nourishing qualities of olive oil help bring back its shine with gentle rubbing using a soft cloth.  

As we mentioned earlier, silver-plated jewellery requires a little more attention and grace. In addition to the aforementioned steps, ensure your cherished jewellery retains its lustre by gently wiping it with a soft jewellery polish cloth at the end of each day.

Storing your silver jewellery is as simple as placing it into your beloved jewellery box at the end of each night. Storing it in a case or box helps to prevent natural oxidation from the air or any other moisture or liquids.  

Tarnishing is part of the natural life cycle of metals and so there is no way to prevent it completely. However, there are a few tips to prolong the lifespan of your silver jewellery such as:

• Avoid moisture and liquids such as creams, perfumes, and hand sanitiser.  
• Remove your jewellery before showering, bathing, swimming, washing your hands, or washing the dishes.  
• After removing your jewellery, store it in a soft cloth. Keep it separate from other pieces of jewellery and away from humid air whenever possible.  

Once a year, give it the ultimate 5-star treatment with a professional clean. Simply visit one of our 27 Chisholm Hunter stores and book your jewellery into our dedicated Jewellery Workshop. Our expert jewellers will work their magic, restoring its brilliance with a meticulous clean and polish, ensuring it sparkles as beautifully as the day you bought it!

Whether you enjoy the affordability of silver-plated jewellery or the grandeur of 925 sterling silver, your piece deserves to shimmer and shine for years to come. At Chisholm Hunter, we are dedicated to ensuring your beloved pieces remain sparkling like new and with our handy DIY jewellery cleaning tips, you can do it yourself with easy household products!

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