How to Effectively Clean Silver

Whether you have silver rings, necklaces, lockets or genuine silverware, it’s important to know how to properly maintain and clean your jewelry. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide on taking care of your silver and cleaning it up to keep it looking fresh and new. Follow along with these tips and steps and you’ll have clean and shiny silver that you can be proud of. 

Hand Wash with Soap and Water

One of the most basic ways to keep your silver in good shape is to hand wash it with soap and water on a regular basis. If you take the time to wash away any dirt and grime that’s accumulated on your silver jewelry at least once a week, you shouldn’t have to worry about tarnish and other issues as much. Be sure to use a gentle cloth along with a mild soap solution to wash the silver. Then rinse it and dry it completely. Wash in straight lines and never use an abrasive material such as a rough sponge that could cause scratching. 

Apply a Silver Polish to Remove Tarnish

Tarnish is the natural corrosion that occurs on silver over time. When your pieces begin to look darker and more worn it’s time to polish them up and remove that tarnish. Rub a high quality silver polish over the item using a cellulose sponge. Be sure to rub in straight lines, not circles and don’t scrub very hard. After a minute or two of moderate polishing let the polish sit for a few minutes and then rinse with running water. Dry the item off with a soft lint-free cloth. 

Store it Carefully

Silver isn’t as soft as gold, but it is still prone to scratching and could easily be damaged if you aren’t careful. That’s why you should store all your silver pieces away from one another. Use a necklace holder to keep necklaces open and protected from rubbing. You can also individually wrap your jewelry pieces in a soft cloth to prevent rubbing if you will be putting several items in the same section of a storage container. 

Silver is a beautiful metal, but it’s also prone to scratching and tarnish if it isn’t cared for properly. Be careful to wash and polish it regularly and store it away properly and you shouldn’t have any issues with your favorite jewelry pieces. 

Draper's Jewelry can provide beautiful silver pieces for those looking for something timeless, classic and magical. Contact us today to find out more!