Although we assume that silver or gold jewelry will not darken or deteriorate like jewelry does, these accessories are not exempt from maintenance. Over the years, your silver bracelets and rings can become covered in rust and dirt. Cleaning them is easy, but you have to be careful that they don’t lose their shine in the process. You may have seen several viral videos with crazier recommendations. Even though some of these home remedies can give us results very quickly, they can compromise the piece forever. If you are unsure about what is best for your jewelry, the ideal is to entrust its cleaning to professionals.
What products not to use to clean silver jewelry
As we mentioned, there are methods that can be abrasive on certain materials, and while they can remove the black color, they also remove the shine due to the friction this can cause on your jewelry. Some products can cause an abrasive and corrosive effect on these materials, causing great wear and polishing of our jewelry, leaving a dull result that is not desired when we want to clean jewelry and leave it shiny as new:
- toothpaste
- cola soft drink
- Bleach
- Chlorine
- Sulfur
- Vinegar
Cleaning silver with baking soda
Baking soda or baking powder are essential products in every home. They remove countless stains and odors, and also clean silver objects:
- Mix baking soda with water to make a paste.
- Next, apply the formula to your jewelry or silverware, scrubbing gently with a toothbrush.
- After half an hour, rinse with clean water and rub with a polishing cloth until you achieve the desired shine.
This technique can help, but it is not optimal. It is recommended to instead use a professional product specifically intended for cleaning silverware. This method is very effective with sterling silver.
Clean silver with an eraser
Something as common in the home as an eraser can help us clean silverware non-invasively. Cleaning rust from silver with an eraser works, especially if the stain is not yet widespread on the surface.
Take the eraser and rub it on all parts of the silver jewelry and see that with just one eraser the silver is perfect, observe how the jewelry regains its former beauty in a simple and economical way.
The advantage of this way of cleaning silver is that the eraser is a very non-abrasive material, so it is ideal even for silver accessories or jewelry set with precious stones. Try this system before using more drastic methods.
Clean silver with hot water and salt
This method couldn’t be simpler. In a bowl of boiling water and a teaspoon of salt, place the silver items you want to polish. Leave them submerged in the bowl overnight. The next day, using a cotton cloth, dry them. You will see that they look like the first day. This is the best method for restoring shine to small objects, such as bracelets, bangles, chains, pendants or rings.
Another more traditional homemade way to clean silverware is to use salt and aluminum foil. In fact, it is the best option if you need to clean silver cutlery or kitchen utensils. The method is very simple.
Line the inside of a container with aluminum foil then fill with boiling salted water. Then immerse the desired objects in the liquid and leave to act for a few minutes. Then you need to rinse and clean them with clean water. Then dry with a soft cloth to make them shine.
Another alternative, this time with lemon and salt. Lemon always helps in cleaning the house thanks to its disinfectant and lightening properties. But they are also great for cleaning silverware, leaving it shiny and preserving it. Cut the lemon in half and spread with salt. All you have to do is use it to polish the silver. Apply and rub the silver object with it then leave to act for a few minutes. Then simply rinse and polish with a soft cloth. This method is particularly useful and comfortable with objects such as frames, trays or decorative pieces of a certain size.
How to take care of your silver bracelets and rings
To extend the life of your jewelry as much as possible and preserve its appearance, take note of a few habits that you can adopt and which are very simple, they will help you keep your jewelry as beautiful as the first day for a long time:
- Wear your silver jewelry regularly: Wearing your silver jewelry can help prevent it from tarnishing and accumulating dirt. Rubbing the patch against your skin or clothing can work wonders. Of course, this won’t eliminate tarnish and dirt, but it’s still a good reason to wear your favorite pieces as often as you want.
- Avoid Water: Although many jewelry stores today boast that their silver items are waterproof, the best way to extend the life of our items is to avoid any moisture. Avoid wearing your jewelry when showering, swimming, cleaning, or participating in outdoor activities. To protect your jewelry, remove it and store it in a dry place before engaging in any activity that may bring it into contact with sweat or harsh chemicals.
- Store your jewelry: Maintaining the shine of silver can be tricky, but there are ways to slow the tarnishing process. Store silver jewelry in a cool, dark place to prevent tarnishing, and if you can, put it in a jewelry box or bag to prevent it from being exposed to air and light. humidity. If you want to take care of your silver pieces, use a jewelry box with compartments provided for this purpose. This way, each piece will have its own space and you can forget about any scratches, tangles or dents.
