Top 3 Hacks to Make Your Silver Jewellery Last Longer

We are as conscientious as we can be when it comes to washing our clothes, shoes and bags. But let’s face it, we keep our accessories on all day, yet cleaning them is often an afterthought. It’s time to take that tangled lump of silver out from your drawer for a good clean!

When it comes to silver jewellery, you need to know your enemy: Tarnish. Coming into contact with oxygen makes silver appear dirty or discoloured. Fortunately, caring for silver and reducing tarnish is as simple as doing the dishes. Here are 3 quick hacks that work wonders for my bling.

Hack #1 – Baking Soda & Vinegar

This is a personal favourite of mine! I use this method during spring-cleaning sessions. But do note that this hack is not suitable for other metals or costume jewellery. Only silver!

• Boil water and line a bowl with aluminium foil (shiny side facing up).
• Put salt and baking soda on the foil.
• Add vinegar slowly and let them fizz. Mix everything together to dissolve the granules so they do not scratch your items.
• Pour the boiling water into the bowl.
• Drop your silver jewellery in and move them around with a wood/plastic utensil to ensure that all surfaces get exposed to the foil.
• After 5 minutes, take them out and clean them with a polishing cloth (microfiber ones work!). See the magic happen here with the tarnish coming off your pieces.

This hack works great for those with very stubborn tarnish!

Hack #2 – Tomato Sauce

This condiment isn’t just for your burgers and fries. It also brings your silver jewellery back to its full shining glory! I use this trick for a quick rub-down when I need to rush out of the house in them.

• Submerge your item in a bowl of ketchup and let it sit for 5 minutes. Don’t let it sit for too long, for the acidity will cause damage.
• Remove the jewellery and use an old toothbrush to scrub the sauce gently around it.
• Wash it off with warm water. Tadah! You are good to go with your sparkly silver.

Hack #3 – Toothpaste

The ultimate jewellery cleaner. It pretty much cleans up almost everything in your jewellery box, except for pieces with pearls.

• Simply put a bit of paste on an old toothbrush and scrub away the gunk from your silver, gold or gemstones jewels.
• Dip a clean cloth in warm water and wipe away the paste.

There are more cleaning tricks out there but these are my top favourites. They are effective and convenient ways to make your jewels look spiffy again. Well-cared-for silver jewellery can make you look fabulous for many years and more importantly, stretch the value of its worth. Don’t wait until tarnish gets so bad that you need to get rid of your jewellery. Love your silvers and they will love you back!

Share with me your jewellery cleaning tips, or try these hacks and let me know if they work for you!

First Image Source: Adorn London