Cleaning Tips

At home methods* to renew the lustre of 925 (Sterling) silver jewelry 

Good to Know

Silver Cleaners

Store bought products often use strong chemicals that may shorten jewellery life. Be sure to read all instructions and warnings VERY carefully.

Cloths

Do NOT mix up these similarly named cloths. 

• TO WIPE-DOWN: Jewellery cloth (non polishing) or other acceptable fabric such as microfiber, eyeglass cloth, or lint free flannel (untreated) - used for an end of day wipe-down. Do not use a paper based product (e.g., tissue paper), wool, or any man made fabric (microfiber excluded).
• TO POLISH: Polishing cloth (made for Sterling silver jewellery) - used when a piece looks dull or has mild visible tarnish. Never wash this type of cloth.
• TO STORE: Silver cloth - not used for wiping or polishing, but rather for storage (see Storage Tips).

Note

• Don't let a polishing cloth for metal touch any gem
• These cloth names are sometimes used interchangeably, so when buying a cloth, read what it is for

 

Recommended Methods

Per Tarnish Level

(1 = none, 5 = heavy)

• 1, Wipe-down: always after wearing
• 2, Quick Polish: for whenever needed to renew lustre
• 3, Dish Liquid: for light tarnish and/or dirt
• 4, Baking Soda: for light to medium tarnish, or for pieces with set gems
• 5, Aluminum Foil: to remove heavy tarnish

Note

Only use Wipe-down and Dish Liquid methods for these gems

• Cubic zirconia
• Glass crystal
• Swarovski crystal 

Visit Swarovski 🔗 for more on their cleaning

For other gems, try these care guides

• ICONIC (jewelry magazine) 🔗
• IGS (International Gem Society) 🔗

* General Disclaimer

These methods are for cleaning solid 925 (Sterling) silver jewellery, with no set gems (unless said otherwise). We can not accept responsibility for any harm that may come to jewelry following these methods.

Wipe-down

Always after wearing

Summary

1. Use a gentle cloth (see below). Use only clean parts of the cloth. A Q-tip is great for hard to get to spots.
2. Use gentle and long, back and forth strokes, following any grain. No circular motions (or dirt may scratch).
3. Wipe after every wearing. A Quick Polish (see below) will still be needed occasionally.

Cloth to Use

• Smooth microfiber (e.g., lens cloth)
• Jewellery cloth (non polishing) 
• Flannel (lint free)

Note: Never use any type of paper product (e.g., tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, etc., …), as their fibers may scratch and contain sulphur (which tarnishes silver). 

Steps

When wiping, be gentle, and use long back and forth strokes that follow an existing grain if present. Try to use only clean parts of the cloth. Circular motions should be avoided (they spread around the dirt and tarnish) and may create visible scratching. Finally, for those hard to get at areas, a Q-tip will do the trick.

 

Quick Polish

Similar to Wipe-down method above

Summary

1. Use a jewellery polishing cloth for Sterling silver (see Cloths, above), and use only clean parts of the cloth. To get into fine details, fold the cloth over a toothpick.
2. Use gentle and long back and forth strokes following any grain. Never use circular motions.
3. If worn only occasionally, then polish after every wearing, or after a deeper cleaning (see below).

Note: Do not let polishing cloth touch any set gems

Polishing Cloth

Use a silver jewellery polishing cloth (see Cloths, above). Never use any type of paper product (e.g., tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, etc., …), as these may scratch and do contain sulphur (a big tarnish causing chemical). Polishing will handle mild to moderate levels of dirt and tarnish.

Technique

When polishing, be gentle, use long back and forth strokes that follow an existing grain if there is one. Try to use only clean parts of the cloth, so as not to spread any dirt or tarnish. Circular motions should be avoided, as they will spread dirt and tarnish, and may create visible scratching. 

For pieces with intentional oxidization (black surface), avoid polishing those oxidized areas, as you want them to stay black.

Frequency

Polish after each wearing. If worn daily or so, a polish every few days or longer should be fine. How often really depends on the local environment (e.g., heat, humidity, smog, etc., ...).  

 

Dish Liquid

Use this method before other deeper cleaning methods (see below)

Will remove dirt (seen or unseen) and light tarnish

May fully submerge and clean the following gems**

• Cubic zirconia
• Glass crystal
• Swarovski crystal

Summary

1. Dilute 1-3 drops of gentle dish liquid in an appropriate amount of warm water. Rinse pieces to remove any dust or loose dirt. Use your bare hands or nitrile gloves. Soak pieces in soap solution for 5 minutes or so. 
2. Use a clean microfiber cloth or 100% cotton makeup pad to gently rub the piece with the soap solution. Use long strokes, following any grain. Do not use circular motions. Continue for as long as needed.
3. Rinse piece well with warm water. Then use a clean and soft microfiber or 100% cotton cloth (Do NOT use any type of paper product) to gently pat dry. When thoroughly dry, put into storage.

Type of Dish Liquid

• A gentle one (ideally plant-based)
• Ammonia and phosphate free
• Not antibacterial
• Ideally unscented (at least no citrus)

Step 1

Dilute

Apply 1-3 drops of mild dish soap to an appropriate amount of warm (not hot) water for the amount of jewelry to be cleaned.

Rinse

Rinse pieces with warm water to remove any dust or loose dirt. Use bare hands or nitrile gloves (no other type).

Soak

Finally soak pieces in soap solution for 5 minutes or so (but not more than 30), depending on level of cleaning required.

Step 2

Clean

Use a clean microfibre cloth, or 100% cotton makeup pad. Gently rub the piece using long strokes, following any grain. Do not use circular motions, as this may cause dislodged dirt to scratch.

Crevices

Use an extra-soft toothbrush (new or used; natural-bristles are ideal) or cotton swab. Continue cleaning for as long as needed.

Step 3

Rinse

Rinse the piece well with warm (not hot) water to remove all soap. Then use a clean and dry, microfibre or soft 100% cotton cloth to gently pat dry. Do NOT use paper products (e.g., tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, etc., …) as this may scratch.

If needed, gently buff with gentle cloth (see Cloths, above).

Store

When thoroughly dry, put into storage using your preferred storage method (see Storing Tips).

 

Baking Soda

Used for more tarnished pieces. This method is also good for jewellery with embedded gems.** 

Recipe

• 2 parts water
• 1 part baking soda

Summary

Do not submerge or apply cleaning solution to any set gems.**

1. Rinse to remove any dust or loose dirt. Use only bare hands or nitrile gloves. Slowly mix water into baking soda until a paste is formed. Note: For more detailed pieces, add a bit more water for a thinner paste. 
2. Using a clean microfiber cloth, gently rub the piece with the paste, using long strokes, following any grain. No circular motions. Note: for more detailed pieces, use an extra soft bristled brush and/or Q-tip.
3. Rinse piece well with warm water. Then use a clean and dry, soft microfiber or 100% cotton cloth (do NOT use any type of paper product) to gently pat dry. When thoroughly dry, store properly.

Step 1

Make Paste

Slowly mix the water into the baking soda, until a paste is formed. Note: For jewellery with more detailed features, add a bit more water for a thinner paste - this will more easily penetrate every nook. 

Rinse

Rinse pieces with warm water to remove any dust or loose dirt. Use bare hands or nitrile gloves (no other type).

Apply

Apply paste to the piece using a clean microfibre cloth or a 100% cotton makeup pad.

Step 2

Clean

Gently rub the piece using long strokes, following any grain. Do not use circular motions, as this may cause dislodged dirt to scratch. Continue for as long as needed.

Crevices

Use an extra-soft bristled toothbrush (new or used; natural-bristles are ideal) or Q-tip. 

Step 3

Rinse

Rinse the piece well with warm water to remove all paste. Then use a soft microfiber or 100% cotton cloth to gently pat dry. Do NOT use any type of paper product (e.g., tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, etc., …) as these may scratch.   

Store

When thoroughly dry, put into storage using your preferred storage method (see Storing Tips).

 

Aluminum Foil

This method is for pieces heavily tarnished, and can be used for bulk cleaning. 

Recipe

• 1 sheet aluminum foil
• 1 cup very hot water (not boiling)
• 2 Tbsp baking soda

Summary

Do not submerge or apply cleaning solution to any set gems.** For heavily tarnished pieces, the process may need to be repeated, as the natural chemical effect has a limited duration.

1. Line a glass pan with aluminum foil, silver side up. Rinse piece(s) to remove any dust or dirt, then place onto foil, ensuring no two pieces touch.
2. Gently pour water into pan, submerging the pieces. Sprinkle the baking soda over the water, and stir to dissolve. Let stand for up to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse each piece in warm water, then gently rub using long strokes following any grain - never in circular motions - with a clean cotton or microfibre cloth. This will remove any remaining tarnish and bring back that silver shine.

Line the bottom of a preferably glass pan - but defiantly not an aluminum one - with the sheet of aluminum foil (its even better if it comes up the sides too), shiny side up. Then place piece(s) to be cleaned onto the aluminum foil, ensuring no two pieces are touching.

Gently pour the water into the pan, submerging the pieces. Then sprinkle the baking soda over the water, and gently stir to dissolve. Let stand for up to 20 minutes if needed, but piece(s) may be removed as soon as tarnish is gone. If tarnish remains, repeat process, complete with new sheet of foil.

Rinse each piece well with warm water - other pieces may be left submerged in pan while working with each piece. Take a clean soft cloth - 100% cotton or microfibre (nothing else) - and gently rub each piece down using long strokes, following any grain in the silver that may be present. Never rub in circular motions. This will help remove any remaining tarnish, and bring back that silver shine.

Let dry completely before putting piece(s) back into storage.

 

 

* General Disclaimer

These methods are for cleaning solid 925 (Sterling) silver jewellery, with no set gems (unless said otherwise). We can not accept responsibility for any harm that may come to jewelry following these methods.

** Set Gems Disclaimer

Do NOT submerge or cover any gem settings with a cleaning solution (unless said otherwise). You must research the best way to clean jewelry with its given set gems.