How to Clean a Silver Necklace

Co-authored by Kennon Young

Last Updated: August 26, 2024 Fact Checked

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Cleaning a silver necklace at home is as simple as gathering a few simple items, such as a microfiber cloth and some dish soap or baking soda. However, while some jewelry can be easily cleaned at home, you should leave other pieces up to the professionals, such as antique silver, fragile necklaces, and necklaces with precious stones in them. When cleaning at home, you can start with the soap and baking soda to methods, then try other methods like the toothpaste method and the aluminum bath.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Soap and Water

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Use a cloth that doesn't scratch. A microfiber cloth or a jewelry-polishing cloth are ideal for polishing your necklace. These cloths won't scratch your jewelry like paper towels or even tissues can. You want something soft and lint-free for polishing.^{[1]
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- If you need to get into small areas, try a cotton swab.
If your silver necklace is only mildly tarnished, you can start by using a bit of dish soap. In a cup of warm water, add a few drops of the soap. Stir it up, then wet your cloth with the solution to start polishing your necklace.^{[2]
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Rub along the grain. You may think the ideal polishing motion is circular. However, that can actually scratch up your silver. A better idea is to rub back and forth, making sure to go along the grain of the metal, which is less likely to scratch it.^{[3]
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- With the chain, you may need to gently rub it between two fingers, using the cloth.
- Continue to move to clean sections of the cloth, so you're not adding tarnish back on to the necklace.
- You can also use a clean soft-bristled toothbrush for detailed areas, though try not to brush too hard.
In some cases, the person who made the necklace may have let certain parts of the jewelry darken to highlight details. If you have a piece like that, you need to avoid polishing those areas so you don't lose some of the beauty of your piece.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Other Polishes

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Try other polishes. If your jewelry is more tarnished, you may need to get actual jewelry polish to clean the necklace. Alternatively, you can make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it into the necklace as a polish.^{[5]
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- Another option is half a cup of lemon juice with a tablespoon of olive oil.^{[6]
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- You can also use toothpaste. The ingredient in the toothpaste that polishes the silver is hydrated silica, so look for that ingredient; tartar control toothpastes will have more of this ingredient. However, whatever you use on your teeth is likely fine for silver, though gel varieties likely won't work as well.^{[7]
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EXPERT TIP

Kennon Young
Master Gemologist Appraiser
Kennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.

Kennon Young
Master Gemologist Appraiser

Use a commercial silver cleaner for the best results. Over time, silver oxidizes, so you really need to clean it with a light acid in order to deoxidize that. Silver cleaners often contain a light sulfuric acid, which is very effective. However, those acids can be damaging to organic materials like bone or ivory that are often found in silver jewelry and flatware, so those pieces should probably be cleaned by a professional.
Put a small dab of the paste on the necklace. If you have precious or semi-precious stones on your necklace, this method may not be the best one, though you can try to avoid the stone. Just a pea-sized dab should be enough, and you can always add more later.^{[8]
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For this part, you can start out just using your fingers, if you'd like, though only do so if you're using a natural paste; grab a microfiber cloth if you're using professional silver polish. Rub the paste into the silver, including the chain if it's also tarnished. Basically, it's like your rubbing soap into the silver, but you're using a paste instead. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush (one you're not going to brush with!), but you can end up scratching it if you try to brush too hard.^{[9]
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Once the tarnish is mostly gone, run the necklace under water. Carefully wash off all the paste, as any left on will look funny. You can repeat the process, as well, if you didn't manage to get all the tarnish off.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying the Aluminum Bath Method

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Set up the bath. Start with an aluminum pie plate or a bowl with aluminum foil covering the inside. Add a tablespoon (15 milliliters) of salt to the plate. Next, add a tablespoon of either water softener powder OR baking soda.^{[11]
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- While some people use this method on necklaces with precious or semi-precious stones, it could cause damage, so it's better not to risk it if it is valuable. Similarly, it's best not to try this method on antique or fragile silver.
- This process will remove all the tarnish, including decorative oxidized areas (black areas put in place to create a design).
- You can also add 1/2 a cup (118 milliliters) of white vinegar at this point. Keep in mind, vinegar will cause the baking soda to react, so watch for overflow.^{[12]
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Next, pour in hot water. A cup (237 milliliters) or so will be enough. It should be close to boiling, but it doesn't need to be boiling. Stir the water, making sure the salt and baking soda are fully dissolved into it.^{[13]
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Once the solution is ready, put the necklace in the solution. It should be touching the aluminum, so that the tarnish will move from the silver to the aluminum. Let it soak for a couple of minutes. You can do a bit more if the necklace is especially tarnished.^{[14]
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Use tongs or a fork to take the necklace out. With a microfiber, polish any areas on the necklace that need a bit more work. Be gentle with more fragile areas. Dry the piece off, and put it away.^{[15]
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Join the Discussion...

Hacks for how to clean silver at home?

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WikiIbisDiver633

I was recently gifted a family heirloom from an aunt of mine. It’s this really old sterling silver necklace and it’s cute, but it’s kind of... Read More

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Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist

Start by making a paste with baking soda and hot water. Maintain a 3:1 proportion of baking soda to water. So, for example, you’d mix 9 ounces... Read More

1

WikiRiverLeaper642

Try lining a baking dish with aluminum foil and fill it with boiling water and a tablespoon of salt. If you set your silver in the water and move... Read More

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Tips

Avoid contact with chemicals like lotions, makeups, and perfumes, as those items can increase tarnishing. Don't spray or apply these items on your neck when you have your necklace on.^{[16]
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Warnings

Consider taking antique or fragile pieces to a professional cleaner who will be more experienced in the cleaning process.^{[17]
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