How to Clean Your Sterling Silver Necklace: Simple & Effective Methods

Why Does My Sterling Silver Necklace Tarnish?

Before we dive into cleaning methods, it helps to understand why your beloved sterling silver necklace tarnishes in the first place.

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals (usually copper) for strength. This copper content reacts with sulphur in the air, creating that dark layer we call tarnish. Common culprits that speed up tarnishing include:

• Humidity and moisture
• Body lotions, perfumes, and hairsprays
• Sweat and natural skin oils
• Chlorine from swimming pools
• Certain foods (eggs, onions, mayonnaise)
• Air pollution

Remember: Tarnish is a natural process and doesn't mean your silver is damaged or poor quality. In fact, it's a sign you have genuine sterling silver! The good news is that tarnish is only surface-deep and can be easily removed with proper cleaning.

Gentle Cleaning Methods for Everyday Care

For light tarnish or regular maintenance, these gentle methods are perfect for keeping your sterling silver necklace looking its best:

Silver Polishing Cloth Method

The simplest and safest method for regular cleaning:

1. Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth (these have special cleaning agents embedded in the fabric).
2. Gently rub the silver parts of your necklace with the cloth.
3. Work in back-and-forth motions rather than circular to avoid highlighting fine scratches.
4. Continue until the cloth no longer shows black residue.

Mild Soap Solution Method

Perfect for a slightly deeper clean:

1. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water.
2. Add a few drops of mild washing-up liquid (avoid anything harsh or antibacterial).
3. Soak your necklace for 3-5 minutes.
4. Gently brush with a soft-bristled brush (a baby toothbrush works perfectly).
5. Pay special attention to crevices and chain links.
6. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
7. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth, then air dry completely before storing.

Important: If your necklace contains gemstones, pearls, or other materials besides silver, check if they can be safely cleaned with water before using this method.

Deep Cleaning for Stubborn Tarnish

When your sterling silver necklace has developed more significant tarnish, these methods can help restore its shine:

Baking Soda and Aluminium Foil Method

This gentle chemical reaction works wonders for heavily tarnished pieces:

1. Line a bowl with aluminium foil, shiny side up.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of table salt.
3. Pour in enough boiling water to cover your necklace.
4. Place your silver necklace in the solution, ensuring it touches the foil.
5. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes (you'll notice a slight sulphur smell – that's the tarnish being removed!).
6. Remove with tongs, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
7. Dry completely with a soft cloth.

Silver Polish Method

For very stubborn tarnish:

1. Purchase a quality silver polish cream or paste (available at most supermarkets and hardware shops).
2. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth.
3. Gently rub the tarnished areas.
4. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.

Note: Only use commercial silver polish on plain silver pieces. Avoid using it on oxidised or antiqued silver as it will remove the intentional darkened areas.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Sterling Silver

To keep your sterling silver necklace in top condition, avoid these common cleaning mistakes:

• Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, and ammonia can damage silver permanently.
• Abrasive Materials: Paper towels, coarse cloths, or stiff brushes can scratch the surface.
• Toothpaste: Despite popular advice, toothpaste is too abrasive for silver and can cause tiny scratches.
• Excessive Rubbing: Aggressive polishing can wear down the silver over time, especially on plated pieces.
• Ultrasonic Cleaners: These can damage certain gemstones and loosen settings.

If your necklace has gemstones, pearls, or other decorative elements, always research specific cleaning methods for those materials first. When in doubt, the mild soap method or a professional cleaning is safest.

Preventing Tarnish Before It Starts

The best way to keep your sterling silver necklace looking beautiful is to prevent tarnish from forming in the first place:

• Wear It Often: Believe it or not, the natural oils on your skin can help keep silver shiny when worn regularly.
• Apply Products First: Put on perfume, hairspray, lotion, and makeup before wearing your silver jewellery.
• Remove Before Swimming: Take off your necklace before swimming in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean.
• Avoid During Cleaning: Remove when using household cleaners or doing dishes.
• Wipe After Wearing: Give your necklace a quick wipe with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and moisture.
• Consider Anti-Tarnish Products: Anti-tarnish strips placed in your jewellery box can help slow tarnishing.

By incorporating these simple habits, you'll significantly reduce how often you need to clean your sterling silver jewellery.

Proper Storage: The Secret to Lasting Shine

How you store your sterling silver necklace when not wearing it makes a huge difference in preventing tarnish:

• Anti-tarnish Bags: Store in specially designed anti-tarnish pouches or bags.
• Air-tight Containers: Ziplock bags with the air squeezed out work well.
• Silica Gel Packets: Add these moisture absorbers to your storage container.
• Chalk Pieces: Placing a piece of chalk in your jewellery box helps absorb moisture.
• Separate Storage: Store silver pieces separately to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Avoid Cardboard: Don't store in cardboard boxes, which contain acids that can increase tarnishing.

Pro Tip: Every Ella & Eve piece comes with a beautiful gift box that's perfect for storage. Use it to keep your necklace protected when not being worn!

Special Cleaning Cases: Mixed Materials

Many beautiful necklaces combine sterling silver with other materials. Here's how to handle these special cases:

Silver Necklaces with Gemstones

For necklaces with gemstones, avoid soaking methods that might damage porous stones. Instead:

• Use a damp cloth with mild soap to clean the silver parts.
• Carefully work around the gemstones.
• Rinse by wiping with a clean, damp cloth.
• Dry thoroughly.

Silver and Gold Mixed Pieces

If you have a mixed metal piece, like those in our gold necklace collection:

• Use a polishing cloth designed for both metals.
• Clean each metal section separately with the appropriate side of the cloth.
• Avoid dips or solutions that might affect one metal differently than the other.

Oxidised or Antiqued Silver

Some silver pieces have intentionally darkened areas for contrast:

• Use only a soft cloth with mild soap and water.
• Avoid silver polish or dips that will remove the intentional oxidation.
• Pat dry gently rather than rubbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my sterling silver necklace?

Clean your necklace when you notice tarnish beginning to form. With proper wear and storage, this might be every few months. If you wear it daily, a quick polish with a silver cloth once a week helps maintain shine.

Can I use vinegar to clean my silver necklace?

While vinegar can clean silver, it's quite acidic and can damage gemstones or decorative elements. The baking soda and aluminium method is gentler and more effective for most pieces.

Is it normal for my skin to turn green from sterling silver?

This reaction is usually caused by the copper in sterling silver reacting with acids in your skin or environment. It's harmless and can be reduced by keeping your jewellery clean, dry, and free from lotions or perfumes.

Can I shower with my sterling silver necklace?

It's best to remove sterling silver before showering. Soaps, shampoos, and hot water can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage your necklace over time.

Discover Our Sterling Silver Collection

Now that you know how to keep your sterling silver looking its best, why not explore our stunning collection? At Ella & Eve, we offer beautifully crafted pieces that combine timeless elegance with modern style.

From delicate sterling silver necklaces to eye-catching earrings, elegant bracelets, and dainty anklets – each piece is designed to bring joy for years to come.

We also offer gorgeous gold necklaces, gold bracelets, gold earrings, and gold anklets if you're looking to mix metals in your collection.

Every Ella & Eve piece comes with a complimentary gift box and bag – perfect for proper storage or for presenting a special gift to someone you love.

Special offer: Buy one piece of jewellery and get 50% off your second piece!