How To Clean Silver Jewelry So It Looks Shiny and New

Do you have a bunch of old jewelry that is just too lackluster to actually wear? Or some you wear so much they’re starting to look a little past their prime? Silver, especially, tends to tarnish, get dirty, and become discolored over time. But don’t go discarding any of your precious pieces just yet, or spending money at the jewelry store to get them shined. As it turns out, you can clean silver jewelry all on your own with things you’ve already got lying around the house!

How To Clean Silver Jewelry With Dish Soap

One of the easiest ways to clean silver jewelry is with dish soap. This hack will work if your pieces are dull or filmy, but if there’s some heavier tarnish on them, it might be best to try one of the other hacks below.

Dish soap works well to remove grease and grime, leaving your pieces looking shiny and sparkling. All you have to do is mix a solution of a few drops of dish soap and warm water in a small glass or container, until bubbles form. Soak your jewelry pieces in the solution for 10 minutes, then remove them. You can then use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub away any dirt or residue before rinsing the jewelry in warm water. To dry, use a soft microfiber towel (don’t use paper towels, as the rough fibers can scratch the jewelry).

How to Clean Silver Jewelry With Baking Soda

If your silver pieces have some heavier tarnish on them, you can try using baking soda to clean them. Make a paste using one part warm water to three parts baking soda. Run the jewelry under some warm water, then rub the paste onto it. Buff away any stuck-on grime with a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth. Rinse and dry with a soft, dry cloth.

How To Clean Silver Jewelry With Toothpaste

You can also use toothpaste to clean silver jewelry, just be careful. Toothpaste can actually be abrasive to silver plated jewelry, so only use this hack if you’re sure your pieces are pure silver. If you’re cleaning jewelry that has pearls on it, also stay away from toothpaste because it can damage the stones. On the other hand, this hack works particularly well for jewelry with diamonds. Finally, be sure not to use whitening toothpaste, it may be too abrasive on silver.

The safest and easiest way to clean silver jewelry with toothpaste is to dilute it slightly with a few drops of water. Again, make sure you’re using a solid-colored, non-whitening toothpaste. Squeeze out a small amount of toothpaste (about the amount you’d squeeze onto your toothbrush) onto a soft toothbrush or cloth, then run the cloth. or towel under some warm water to wet the paste. Rub your jewelry clean with the brush or cloth, then rinse and dry.

And of course, you could always use good ol’ fashioned jewelry cleaner, which is fairly easy to find in stores and can also be purchased online. Try one from Brilliant which can be used on silver jewelry, and is safe for use on other types of metal as well as gemstones (Buy on Amazon, $6.95). Any one of these hacks is sure to make old, tired-looking silver pieces shine like they’re brand new.