Silver is an awe-inspiring metal, but it can get dulled by grime and tarnish over time. It’s important to clean your bling regularly—and it’s easier than you might think!
Most silver jewlery cleaners are eco-friendly household items, but you can also use some more unconventional solutions. For example, ketchup can remove silver tarnish,1 and even toothpaste can do the trick!2
For everyday silver jewelry, a mix of warm water and mild dishwashing soap or baby shampoo should do the trick. Just add a few drops of the solution to a soft cloth and rub. Rinse with cool water and buff dry to shine. For more heavily tarnished pieces, try making a baking soda paste. You can make your own cleaner by mixing one part lemon juice and three parts baking soda in a bowl. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture, and rub in small circles to scrub away tarnish. Rinse the piece thoroughly, and dry it with a microfiber cloth.
Some silver polishes are abrasive, so be careful with delicate pieces. If your silver is plated, avoid using abrasive cleansers because they can wear away the thin layer of silver and expose the base metal—usually copper.
To avoid tarnishing, keep your silver jewelry clean and stored in a jewelry box or little velvet bags. And always check the label of a piece to see if it’s made from pure or plated silver. You can also use a magnet to tell the difference between sterling silver and silver-plated jewelry (the silver-plate will stick to the magnet, but not true silver). Unless you’re wearing only pure silver, you should polish your ring and bracelets at least once every two or three weeks.