How to Clean Your Tarnished Sterling Silver Jewellery (and Keep It Shiny!)

We all love sterling silver jewellery—it’s classic, stylish, and goes with everything. But let’s be real: nothing ruins the sparkle like that annoying tarnish. One day your favourite bracelet or necklace is gleaming, and the next, it looks dull and discoloured. Why does this happen? And more importantly, how do you fix it?

Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! In this guide, I’ll show you easy ways to clean your sterling silver jewellery using stuff you probably already have at home. Plus, I’ll throw in some tips to keep your silver looking brand-new for longer. Let’s get started!

Why Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?

First things first—why does silver jewellery turn dark and dull?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals (usually copper). This blend makes it strong enough for daily wear, but it also means it can react with air, moisture, and chemicals. That’s when you start seeing that dreaded tarnish.

Here’s what speeds up the tarnishing process:

• Air & Moisture: Silver reacts with sulfur in the air, causing discolouration.
• Lotions & Perfumes: The chemicals in beauty products can make silver darken faster.
• Sweat & Skin Oils: Your natural body oils and sweat contain acids that can cause tarnish.
• Storage Issues: Leaving silver out in the open (instead of in a proper storage pouch) makes it tarnish quicker.

But here’s the good news—tarnish isn’t permanent! You can bring back that gorgeous shine with a few simple tricks.

Easy DIY Ways to Clean Sterling Silver Jewellery

Did you know that you can revive your silver jewellery using things from your home? Here are the best home remedies for removing tarnish.

1. Use a soft microfibre cloth - If the tarnishing is light, then a gentle clean with a microfibre cloth will take off the layer of tarnish and your jewellery will shine like new!  We provide a soft cloth for polishing with every purchase.
2. Use a soft toothbrush and a small amount of dishwashing soap to gently remove the tarnish. Polish afterwards with a soft microfibre cloth.

I don't recommend using toothpaste or rough abrasives as it may pit the silver.  If your silver jewellery has gemstones, I would advise against soaking the jewellery as it can damage the gemstones.  I would only use the microfibre cloth method.  If this doesn't work then I suggest getting your jewellery professionally cleaned.  You can purchase silver cleaners specifically for jewellery as well.

How to Keep Your Sterling Silver Jewelry From Tarnishing

Now that your jewellery is sparkly clean, let’s keep it that way!

✔️ Store it properly – Keep silver in an airtight bag or anti-tarnish pouch to slow down oxidation.
✔️ Wear it often – Believe it or not, the oils on your skin help prevent tarnish (so wear your silver regularly!).
✔️ Avoid chemicals – Take off your jewellery before applying lotion, perfume, or hairspray.
✔️ Keep it dry – Moisture is the enemy! Remove silver jewellery before swimming or showering.
✔️ Use anti-tarnish strips – These little strips absorb sulfur and help prevent tarnishing in your jewellery box.

Final Thoughts

Tarnish might be annoying, but with a little elbow grease and regular polishing, your sterling silver jewellery can look as good as new!  Now go grab your jewellery and give it some love! ✨

FAQs

1. Can I wear sterling silver jewellery in water?

It’s best to avoid water, especially chlorinated pools and hot tubs, which speed up tarnishing. A little water is fine, but dry it immediately afterwards!

2. How often should I clean my silver jewellery?

If you wear it daily, give it a quick polish every couple of weeks. If it’s stored away, check for tarnish every few months.

3. What is the best way to store sterling silver?

Keep it in a sealed bag with an anti-tarnish strip or a soft jewelry pouch. Storing it with chalk or silica gel packets also helps absorb moisture!

4. Why does my silver jewelry tarnish so quickly?

It could be exposure to air, humidity, chemicals, or even your skin’s pH. If it tarnishes fast, try storing it better and avoiding harsh chemicals.

Hope this guide helps you keep your sterling silver jewelry looking gorgeous! Got a favorite cleaning trick? Let me know in the comments! 😊💍✨