How to clean sterling silver jewelry

If you are wondering about cleaning your favorite sterling silver jewelry, then here's how you do it. Cleaning your sterling silver jewelry is really easy, if you follow a few simple steps. Storing your sterling silver in the open air and humidity for extended periods of time can cause it to discolor quickly. To keep this discoloring or tarnish to a minimum, it is advised that you properly store your jewelry pieces in good quality jewelry boxes when not wearing them.

Clean your sterling silver jewelry with a soft cotton cloth or flannel cloth. Rub with a lengthwise motion, never clean in a circular motion because this may cause scratches. Silver being a very soft metal, and you can scratch it if you are not careful. So, do not rub it too briskly. Paper, polyester, and coarse fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics that can cause tiny scratches in the surface of your fine sterling silver jewelry.

Dirt left over from previous cleanings can scratch the surface as well. To remove light dirt, fingerprints or makeup, just use a small amount of mild liquid detergent to half a cup of warm water and rinse thoroughly with clean fresh water. Dry it completely before storing it in an airtight zip lock bag. This polishing cloth should not be used on gemstone silver jewelry. To clean away excessive tarnish, clean with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive brand name liquid or paste silver polish to remove tarnish. It is always better to use branded silver cleaner instead of toothpaste or baking soda. So, now you know how to clean your sterling silver jewelry, and keep your silver pendants, silver necklaces, silver bracelets, silver earrings and jewelry sets sparkling clean forever!