How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewellery at Home

Sterling silver is beautiful, durable and easy to look after — but it does tarnish, and a little care keeps it bright for years. The good news is you don't need special products; most of what you need is already in your kitchen. Here's how to clean sterling silver jewellery safely at home.

First, know what you're cleaning

Most quality silver jewellery is 925 sterling silver — 92.5% pure silver mixed with a little copper for strength. It's the copper that reacts with air and moisture to cause tarnish (that dull, yellowish or grey film). Cleaning removes the tarnish; it doesn't harm the silver. If your piece is gold vermeil or gold-plated, treat it more gently — see our guide to what gold vermeil is — as harsh rubbing wears the plating.

The gentle everyday method

For light tarnish and routine cleaning:

1. Warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Soak the piece for a few minutes.
2. Rub gently with a soft cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush, getting into detailed areas.
3. Rinse in clean water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth — leaving it damp invites more tarnish.

A dedicated silver polishing cloth (impregnated with cleaner) is the single best everyday tool — a quick buff restores shine in seconds.

For heavier tarnish: the foil-and-baking-soda method

This works by a harmless chemical reaction that lifts tarnish without scrubbing:

1. Line a bowl with aluminium foil, shiny side up.
2. Add the silver, a tablespoon of baking soda, and pour over boiling water to cover.
3. Leave for a few minutes — the tarnish transfers to the foil.
4. Remove, rinse and dry.

Important caveat: don't use this method on jewellery set with pearls or gemstones, or on oxidised (blackened) silver where the darkening is intentional — it can strip both. For pearls, see our pearl care guide.

What to avoid

• Toothpaste. A popular tip, but most toothpaste is too abrasive and micro-scratches the surface. Skip it.
• Harsh chemicals — bleach, chlorine and ammonia damage silver. Take rings off before cleaning the house or swimming.
• Over-cleaning oxidised details. If a piece is meant to have dark, antiqued recesses, aggressive cleaning removes the effect.

How often should you clean it?

Wiping with a polishing cloth after wear is enough for most pieces. A deeper clean every few weeks — or whenever tarnish appears — keeps everything bright. Jewellery worn daily actually tarnishes less, because the natural oils and movement keep the surface active; it's the pieces left sitting that dull fastest, which is why how you store silver matters as much as how you clean it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean sterling silver without special products? Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft cloth handle most cleaning. For heavier tarnish, use the aluminium-foil and baking-soda method — but never on pearls or gemstones.

Does cleaning damage sterling silver? Gentle cleaning doesn't. Avoid abrasives like toothpaste and harsh chemicals, and be careful around plated, oxidised or gemstone pieces.

Can I clean gold vermeil the same way? More gently — just warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Skip polishing cloths and abrasive methods, which wear the gold layer.

Silver worth looking after

Explore our handmade sterling silver jewellery — earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets from small Baltic ateliers, made to be worn and cared for over years.