How to Clean Silver Jewelry With Household Products

Sterling silver is an alloy composed of pure silver and copper. While silver does not tarnish in its pure form, the combination of silver and copper produces silver sulfide, a black layer on the surface of your jewelry. Many jewelers market and sell their own commercial silver cleaning solutions but you can save money by making your own electrolyte cleaning solution from a few basic household items and have your silver jewelry sparkling in no time.

Instructions

1

Line a deep baking pan with aluminum foil. Choose a pan that will allow you to completely immerse your jewelry in solution. Lay your sterling silver jewelry in a single layer on the bottom of the pan, making sure that no pieces are touching each other.

2

Bring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil on your stove top. Remove the pot from the heat with oven mitts and add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water. Pour the hot mixture over your silver in the aluminum-lined baking sheet.

3

Allow the jewelry to soak for 3 to 5 minutes. You should notice the tarnish begin to fade from your jewelry and appear on the aluminum foil lining the pan.

4

Remove your jewelry from the solution and rinse thoroughly. If your silver is severely tarnished, you may need to repeat the process again with a fresh batch of cleaning solution and new aluminum foil.

5

Lay your clean silver jewelry in a single layer on a towel to dry. Allow the pieces to dry completely before storing or wearing.