How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelery

Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver is a very soft metal and not very durable; adding copper to silver to make sterling silver creates a hard, durable metal. Even with the durability of sterling silver, it can become tarnished and dirty. Salt and chlorine are two culprits that can have a negative effect on your sterling silver jewelry. To get your sterling pieces looking new again, use one of these home remedies.

Instructions

Tarnish

1

Polish your jewelry to remove as much of the tarnish as you can.

2

Line the inside of a bowl with aluminum foil. Add 1 cup hot water and 1 tablespoon powdered, non-bleach laundry detergent. Mix well.

3

Place your tarnished sterling silver jewelry in the detergent solution and let it soak for a few minutes. Powdered laundry detergent contains boric acid which will loosen the tarnish and attach to the aluminum foil.

4

Rinse well with warm water, and allow the jewelry to air dry.

Dirt and Residue

5

Rub the jewelry with the polishing cloth to remove as much dirt as possible.

6

Mix 1 teaspoon dish detergent with 1 cup water in a bowl. Place the jewelry in the dish detergent solution.

7

Soak the jewelry overnight. The detergent will remove dirt and residue trapped in hidden areas of your jewelry that you can't reach with a polishing cloth. If any dirt or residue remains on your jewelry, gently scrub the piece with a soft toothbrush. Rinse well with warm water and let the jewelry air dry.