Silver jewlery cleaner
Unlike gold or platinum, pure silver is brittle and therefore must be mixed with another metal, usually copper, to make it sturdy enough for jewelry. This process is called tarnishing, and over time it produces that not-so-glamorous dark patina. But don’t panic: Even the most tarnished pieces can be saved with some patience and a few household items you already have on hand.
In the same way that vinegar and baking soda work together to clean dishes, they can also help clean silver jewelry. The key is to use the right amount of each: Mix a solution of three parts baking soda to one part water and apply it with a soft, lint-free cloth (such as a microfiber towel or soft toothbrush) to your silver, taking care not to get any paste into stones or pearls. Gently rub away the tarnish and rinse. If you have very heavily tarnished silver, mix a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda and soak the piece for up to a couple hours before rinsing and polishing.
You can also use a special silver polishing cloth to buff away tarnish. Most of these cloths are infused with cleaning chemicals, making them a mess-free option that’s also less likely to scratch your silver. Just follow the directions on the packaging, typically scrubbing in a back-and-forth motion and rinsing as needed. It’s also a good idea to remove your jewelry before washing your hands, applying beauty products or cleaning the house and before swimming in a pool or ocean. silver jewlery cleaner