How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry

White Vinegar

Immerse your jewelry in white vinegar. Place your jewelry in a clean suitable container. Cover the jewelry with white vinegar, so that it is completely immersed. You can let your jewelry set for two or three hours, depending on how much tarnish you need to remove. Rinse and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.

Vinegar & Baking Soda

Add a half cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda to a clean container. Place your jewelry in the solution and let it sit for two or three hours. Rinse and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.

Hot Water & Laundry Detergent

Line a medium-sized bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water. Mix in one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent, then soak your jewelry for one minute. Rinse and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.

Hot Water, Salt, and Aluminum Foil

Boil two cups of water and place in a bowl, add one tablespoon of salt and wait to dissolve completely. Once the salt is dissolved, take a sheet of aluminum foil and shred a few pieces into the bowl. Soak your jewelry until tarnish is gone. Rinse and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.

Be sure to clean your jewelry regularly, and practice proper care. This includes taking steps to prevent damage, such as removing jewelry when you wash your hands, storing jewelry in proper boxes to avoid prolonged air exposure, and removing jewelry before chores.

Prevent Tarnish with 3 easy quick tips

How quickly jewelry tarnishes depends on a number of factors. The way you care for them, your skin composition, the air around you and the processes and materials used to make them. Here are some tips for you to keep your sterling silver jewelry and gold jewelry from tarnishing.

Below are 3 tips to help keep your jewelry from tarnishing.
  1. Avoiding Moisture. Remove jewelry before going into shower, gym, swimming pool or using any type of chemical when wearing your jewelry. (If you do get your jewelry wet be sure to wipe and dry them off right away.)
  2. Store it Properly. Storing your jewelry properly will instantly reduce the chance of tarnishing. avoid excessively humid areas, areas with direct sunlight, and other places where jewelry could rub up against other items.
  3. Clean it correctly. Use a suitable and soft cleaning cloth or brush that is damp with a mild cleanser to clean fine jewelry. For tight corners, use a cotton swab or soft baby toothbrush for more abrasive cleaning if needed. Completely dry the sterling silver before putting it back into an airtight container. See our detailed cleaning tips. Heavily tarnished items may require a visit to a professional jeweler who has special equipment.