The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Tarnished Jewelry

Jewelry is a lovely, classic accessory that can make any outfit look better. But over time, jewelry can lose its shine and start to look old.

Tarnish is a layer of corrosion that forms on silver, gold, and copper, among other metals. The good news is that cleaning tarnished jewelry is easy and can be done at home if you have the right tools and know-how.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to clean fake jewelry, sterling silver, and gold jewelry that has turned black.

What causes tarnish on jewelry?

Jewelry can darken or get dirty (such as water, cream, or lotion) for a variety of reasons. But the most common reason is that the metal reacts with chemicals to tarnish or discolour over time when it is exposed to the elements in the air.

How to clean tarnished jewelry at home?

Before cleaning any type of jewelry, try to determine what material the piece was made from. Is this piece silver, pewter, stainless steel, copper, gold, or gold plated? Are the gemstones real or glass? Are the pearls plastic or real?
If you suspect that the jewelry is expensive, consult a professional before doing any cleaning other than a warm water rinse. Avoid any permanent damage to your jewelry.

What you’ll need when cleaning tarnished jewelry

Polishing cloth
Soft-bristled toothbrush
Soft cotton cloth
Baking soda
Distilled white vinegar or lemon juice
Commercial metal polish
Aluminum foil
Dishwashing liquid
Glass baking dish
Small glass bowl

How to clean tarnished silver jewelry?

Postpone the need for a deep cleaning by using a polishing cloth on silver-plated pieces to remove small stains after each wearing.

Use baking soda, aluminum foil, and hot waterPlace a piece of aluminum foil in a shallow glass baking dish.

Place the tarnished silver jewelry on the foil. If cleaning multiple pieces, do not allow them to touch.

Sprinkle the jewelry with dry baking soda (at least two tablespoons per piece) until the jewelry is covered.

Slowly add hot water to the plate (do not boil) until the jewelry is completely submerged.

Soak for 20 minutes or until water cools.

Remove debris, rinse, and dry with a soft cloth.

You can also use commercial silver polish to clean your tarnished jewelry. Silver polish is sold in paste or liquid form. If your jewelry is ornately carved with lots of nooks and crannies, opt for a liquid cleaner. It’s easier to remove than paste-based cleaners on sculpted areas. Follow label directions carefully when cleaning silverware.

How to clean tarnished gold jewelry?

Pour warm water into a glass bowl large enough to hold the gold coins.

Add a few drops of dish soap and jewelry.

Clean each piece of gold jewelry individually in a cleaning solution to prevent scratching other parts.

Let the jewelry soak for about 20 minutes.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub any areas that still have dirt (around carvings or stones).

Rinse with cold water and dry with a soft cloth.

How to clean tarnished copper jewelry?

In a small bowl, combine one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice with two tablespoons of baking soda. The mixture sizzles as the ingredients react! When the hissing stops, apply the paste to the copper jewelry. Let the piece sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse the paste off the copper with warm water, then dry with a soft cloth. If still tarnish, repeat these steps.

How to remove tarnish from fake jewelry?

Brass, copper, and nickel are all cheap metals that are often used to make fake jewelry. Even though these metals don’t lose their shine as quickly as silver or gold, they still can. Follow these steps to clean fake jewelry that has become dirty:

In a bowl, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water.

Soak the jewelry that has turned black for a few minutes in the solution.

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to scrub the jewelry gently.

Run clean water over the jewelry and dry it with a soft cloth.

If the tarnish is still visible, make a paste with baking soda and water, and use a soft cloth to rub it on the jewelry. Use a circular motion to rub the paste on the jewelry, then rinse and dry it.

Cleaning tarnished jewelry is a simple and easy process that can be done at home with the right tools and techniques.

Tips for preventing tarnish

Even though it’s easy to clean tarnished jewelry, it’s better to keep it from happening in the first place. Here are some ways to keep things from tarnishing:

Keep your jewelry in a cool, dry place that is out of the sun and away from water.

Don’t wear your jewelry when you’re swimming, taking a shower, or washing the dishes.

Before you put on your jewelry, you should use lotion, perfume, and other products.

Use a soft cloth to remove dirt and oils from your jewelry every so often.

FAQs about cleaning tarnished jewelry

How do I clean heavily tarnished jewelry?

Cleaning severely tarnished jewelry may take longer. Steps:

Cleaning solution: Make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water. Commercial tarnish removers work too.

Apply the cleaning solution to the tarnished spots using a gentle cloth or toothbrush. Circularly massage.

Let the cleaning solution lie on the tarnished areas for a few minutes.

Rinse the jewelry well.

Dry jewelry with a soft cloth.

Repeat until the jewelry is clean: If the tarnish remains, continue the process.

Polish: Use a polishing cloth or silver polish to shine jewelry after cleaning.

Note: Aggressive cleaning can damage badly tarnished jewelry. A competent jeweler should clean precious or uncertain jewelry.

What is the easiest way to remove tarnish?

A tarnish remover solution is one of the easiest ways to get tarnish off of jewelry. Just put some of the solutions on a soft cloth and rub it gently on the parts of the jewelry that are tarnished. Rinse with water, then use a clean cloth to dry. Tarnish can also be taken off with a jewelry polishing cloth, which has a special polishing compound that helps take off the tarnish. You can also use a thick paste made of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the spots that are tarnished and rub them gently with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry the area.

Can I use toothpaste to remove the tarnish?

Toothpaste can be used to remove tarnish from some metals, including silver, but it is not recommended for use on delicate or porous stones or other jewelry materials.

Does salt remove tarnish?

Salt can be used to remove tarnish from silver, but it should be mixed with hot water and baking soda to create a solution.

Can I use coke to remove the tarnish?

As for coke, it contains phosphoric acid, which can be used to remove tarnish from some metals, but it is not recommended for use on delicate or porous stones or other jewelry materials. It is always best to research and follow specific cleaning instructions for each piece of jewelry and to use gentle, non-abrasive methods whenever possible.