How To Clean a Silver Chain

Lester Fangonilo - October 5, 2021

3mm Cuban Chain in Silver by Oliver Cabell

Looking for a way to clean your silver chain in a matter of minutes? Look no further because this article will provide you with tips on cleaning your silver jewelry. 

Silver chains are not as easily tarnished as gold ones. However, this doesn’t mean you can slack off when cleaning your silver jewelry. On the contrary, there are methods to clean them without exerting too much time and effort. 

Silver jewelry that is constantly used can be polished just a few times. It is the finer-quality silver jewelry that is often unused and kept in boxes that need constant cleaning. Follow the methods provided below that may help you in removing the tarnish and restoring your silver pieces.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry?

Silver jewelry is commonly used in fashion as a statement accessory that boosts the wearer’s confidence and self-esteem. However, the maintenance of these accessories should not be taken for granted. 

There are plenty of ways to clean silver chains quickly, but the easiest method is using dishwashing soap, baby shampoo, and warm water. You can also apply these steps to clean your gold jewelry.

• First, mix warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap (or baby shampoo) until bubbles form.
• The second step is to soak your silver jewelry for 5-10 minutes in the solution.
• Next, brush it clean using a toothbrush. 
• Then, rinse the silver jewelry by using warm water
• Lastly, dry it by gently rubbing a silver cloth or a microfiber towel that can rub off the tarnish on your jewelry.

 You can do this method by yourself. However, if you want to make sure that your silver jewelry will not be damaged, ask a jeweler for help instead.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry is a high-quality silver piece of jewelry that is commonly used. Just like gold jewelry, sterling silver isn't pure silver and is usually about 7.5% copper. The copper enables the jewelry to be stronger than the one made of pure silver. 

However, this 7.5% copper makes the jewelry easier to tarnish. If you’re unsure if your jewelry is Sterling silver or not, try checking the hallmark. 

Hallmarks are usually placed in the clasp that says Sterling, S/S, 9.25, 9/1000, Sterling 9.25, etc. If it doesn’t have one of these hallmarks, chances are it's a fake and is probably only silver-plated.

Dishwashing soap and warm water can also clean Sterling silver jewelry. But if it doesn’t, you can try using methods with the help of kitchen essentials like baking soda and the like. 

Use of Baking soda

Make a paste with baking soda and warm water with a ratio of 2:1. For every 1 part of water, there are two parts of baking soda. After mixing, gently rub the paste onto the jewelry. Let it dry and remove the tarnish. Rinse the residue and dry off the jewelry using a silver cloth and microfiber towel. If you don’t have baking soda, try using cornstarch.

Lemon and Olive Oil

Just mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice. Get a clean cloth and dip it in the solution. TO clean it off, gently rub the mixture onto the silver jewelry until it shines. After, rinse the jewelry and dry it using a silver cloth or microfiber towel.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

When using vinegar and baking soda, make sure that the ratio is right. Since you’ll be soaking it for a few hours, and you do not want the jewelry to be tarnished more. So, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix it with half a cup of white vinegar. 

Next, soak the jewelry in the solution and let it sit for 2-3 hours. Finally, rinse it and polish the jewelry properly with a silver cloth or microfiber towel. 

Use of toothpaste

The last method in using kitchen essentials to clean off the tarnish in silver chains is by using toothpaste. First, apply a small amount of diluted toothpaste to a soft-bristle brush, then rub it gently on the silver jewelry. 

Also, remember not to use whitening toothpaste because that will only make things worse. Lastly, do not use this method on silver-plated jewelry because it causes chemical reactions that will probably lead to a series of allergies and skin irritation, among others.

The above methods are so easy that you can do it yourself. But, if these methods aren’t enough, others require more work but will help better. For example, tarnishes in silver are often a result of a chemical reaction between silver and sulfur atoms. The result is silver sulfide. 

If this is the case, you’ll need a method that involves a chemistry perspective. Don’t worry, you’ll get great results. You just won’t get a pleasant smell in the process. 

1. Get a large bowl or pan. Fill the entire surface with aluminum foil.
2. When the aluminum foil is placed, add boiling water into the pan.
3. Mix 2 teaspoons of Kosher salt and a quarter cup of baking soda. And stir it until bubbles forms.
4. After mixing, put the jewelry in the solution and mix it well. Make sure not to hit the silver pieces together or onto the pan.
5. Leave it for 5 minutes.
6. When the time is up, remove it from the pan and dry it with a silver cloth or microfiber towel to remove the tarnish as gently as possible.

Conclusion

There you have - tips and tricks on how to keep your silver chains looking luxurious. Cleaning silver jewelry can be both easy and challenging. But don’t worry. There are so many methods to use in cleaning silver chains, and many of them are DIY!

However, if you want to avoid damaging your silver jewelry, the best way is to prevent it from getting tarnished. So how do you do it? By simply taking care of it properly. 

Like maintenance, make sure that you store your jewelry in the right place. Do not expose the jewelry to too much sun. Also, keep it somewhere in good condition, air, heat, moisture, and other factors should be considered when choosing the storage area.

One last thing. The best way to take care of your silver chain is to wear your jewelry as often as possible. Friction helps in getting rid of tarnish so, if you constantly wear your jewelry, you can actually save up in maintenance fees.