How to Clean Silver Jewellery: A Complete Guide

• Darren

Your shimmering silver jewellery is the perfect way to give everyday or special occasion outfits a stylish boost, bringing glamour to any look you choose. The affordability and versatility of silver jewellery make it a staple in everyone's collection, and it's easy to fall in love with certain pieces as they find their way into your regular rotation.

Showing off your favourite pieces daily is amazing, but your jewellery isn't immune from wear and tear. Repeated uses, irregular removal and odd scuffs and scratches can all result in the original shine slowly fading from your jewellery.

Fear not! At Francis & Gaye, we're here to help you restore your silver jewellery to its bright and beautiful best. Follow our guide to find out how to clean and care for your silver jewellery so you can continue to get use out of your special earrings, necklaces and bracelets for years to come.

Table of contents

Can you clean silver jewellery at home?

Yes! You can absolutely clean silver jewellery from home. Most cleaning needs for your silver jewellery will come down to wear and tear or light scratches that have slightly dimmed your favourite pieces. All these minor scuffs and blemishes can be dealt with at home.

Getting your jewellery cleaned professionally is still always an option, and we'd recommend it if there's a high risk of the piece being damaged or particularly fragile. Other instances where professional cleaning may be the best option is getting a wedding ring cleaned before the big day so it's in top condition or if you've had a piece of jewellery for a number of years and it has never been cleaned professionally or otherwise.

If your silver jewellery doesn't meet this specific criteria, you can clean from home with just a few household items.

What you need to clean silver jewellery

For a standard clean, you don't need anything spectacular. Simple household items used smartly should be more than enough to bring the shine back to your dwindled jewellery. Gather the following items to clean your silver jewellery:

  • Warm water
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Soft cloth
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar

How to clean silver jewellery

If you only have a few of these items to hand, don't worry! There are multiple ways to restore your jewellery to its shimmering best from home. Once you've settled on a method, you won't need to alter it for different jewellery styles. Silver earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets can all be cleaned using the same process, just ensure you clean each thoroughly and with care.

How to clean silver jewellery using washing-up liquid

It may sound overly simple, but sometimes simplicity is exactly what the doctor ordered. Washing-up liquid is a fantastic substance for cleaning jewellery as it's a non-abrasive solution, meaning there's no risk of damaging your favourite silver pieces. We've outlined how to clean your silver jewellery using washing-up liquid below:

  1. Mix warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid to create a cleaning solution.
  2. Soak your jewellery in the cleaning solution for around 10-15 minutes.
  3. Gently scrub your silver jewellery with a soft cloth to remove any surface dirt, tarnishes or scratches.
  4. Rinse your jewellery thoroughly under running water.
  5. Find a separate, clean cloth and dry your jewellery.

How to clean silver jewellery using baking soda & vinegar

Some stubborn stains might persevere through a washing-up liquid-focused clean. In this case, stronger household items should be called upon to bring your dull jewellery back to life. White vinegar and baking soda are brilliant at tackling difficult stains on multiple surfaces, including clothing and furniture. Their impact translates to jewellery brilliantly, so follow these steps to remove tricky tarnishes:

  1. Create a cleaning solution using approximately 120ml white vinegar and 30g baking soda.
  2. This method requires a longer soaking time to tackle the tough scuffs and tarnishes. Leave your jewellery in the foamy substance for around an hour.
  3. Once soaked for 60 minutes, thoroughly rinse your jewellery under running water.
  4. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.

How to store silver jewellery

Proper storage can provide an essential barrier and help prevent tarnishes, scuffs and scratches, making cleaning your silver jewellery a less regular task. At Francis & Gaye, we stock a wonderful range of jewellery storage options so you can keep your jewellery safe and sound away from potential risks.

Place your jewellery boxes or portfolios in cool areas away from humidity or direct sunlight for the best possible protection. Our storage options give your jewellery ample room to breathe, keeping it at its shimmering best for longer. Another way to store your jewellery effectively is to retain the packaging it was bought in, although this may take up some space if you do it with each piece.

One of the most common ways your silver jewellery loses its shine is to sit collecting dust. Appropriate storage is a great way to combat this, but so is consistent wear! While wear and tear will eventually come into play, wearing your favourite pieces regularly is healthy. So show off those sparkles whenever you get the chance!

Silver jewellery & cleaning products at Francis & Gaye

Ready to take on the scuffs and scratches plaguing your favourite silver jewellery? At Francis & Gaye we've got the perfect items to put that extra shine on your prized pieces. Give your jewellery an additional polish and care with a Swarovski crystal cleaning cloth that gives your silver pieces a perfect post-clean finish.

If you feel a piece or two deserves special attention and a regular clean won't suffice, then you may require a Diamond Dazzle Stick. The Connoisseurs product contains micro-fine cleansers and polishing agents, bringing radiance and lustre to diamonds and silver.

Reading this might even encourage you to bolster your silver jewellery collection, and we're all for it! We stock an incredible collection of silver jewellery so you can find the perfect addition to your set. Choose from wonderful earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more to elevate your every day and evening wardrobe.

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