Your favourite silver necklace has gone a little dull or yellowish? Don’t worry. It isn’t fake and it isn’t ruined. Tarnish is a natural reaction between silver and the air, and it comes off easily with things you already have at home.
Here is exactly how to clean 925 sterling silver safely, and how to keep it sparkling for longer.
Why does sterling silver tarnish?
925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals (usually copper) to make it strong enough to wear. When silver meets sulphur in the air, it forms a thin dark layer called silver sulphide. That is tarnish.
Things that speed it up:
- Heat and humidity. A hot car, a steamy bathroom or a Durban summer all make tarnish form faster.
- Perfume, body lotion and hairspray. The chemicals react with silver.
- Chlorine and salt water. Pools and the sea are tough on silver.
- Rubber bands, wool and some cardboard. These contain sulphur.
The good news: tarnish sits on the surface, so it can be removed.
Method 1: Polishing cloth (best for light tarnish)
A silver polishing cloth is the safest everyday option, especially for dainty pieces.
- Hold the piece flat on your palm so you don’t bend fine chains.
- Rub gently with the polishing side of the cloth, using straight back-and-forth strokes (not circles).
- Buff with the clean side.
Use a fresh area of the cloth as it turns black. That black is the tarnish coming off.
Method 2: Warm water and mild dish soap (for everyday grime)
- Mix a few drops of mild, unscented dishwashing liquid in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water.
- Soak the jewellery for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Gently clean around clasps and settings with a very soft toothbrush.
- Rinse in clean water and pat completely dry with a soft cloth.
Drying properly matters. Water left in a clasp or chain link can cause new tarnish.
Method 3: Bicarb and foil (for heavier tarnish)
This is a gentle chemical trick that pulls tarnish off without scrubbing.
- Line a bowl with aluminium foil, shiny side up.
- Add 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Pour in about a cup of hot water from the kettle and stir.
- Place the silver in so it touches the foil. Leave for 2 to 5 minutes.
- Remove with a plastic spoon, rinse and dry well.
Skip this method for pieces with stones, pearls, glued settings or an oxidised (intentionally darkened) finish.
What NOT to use on sterling silver
- Toothpaste. It is abrasive and leaves tiny scratches on soft silver.
- Bleach or chlorine cleaners. They can permanently damage silver.
- Paper towels and tissues. Their fibres can scratch.
- Harsh scrubbing. Dainty chains and earring posts bend easily.
How to stop tarnish before it starts
Prevention is much easier than cleaning:
- Put your jewellery on last. After make-up, perfume and hairspray.
- Take it off before swimming, showering, gym and cleaning.
- Store each piece separately in a small zip bag. Squeeze the air out. Less air means less tarnish.
- Add an anti-tarnish strip to your jewellery box or bag.
- Keep it cool and dry. Never leave jewellery in a hot car or a sunny window.
- Wear it often. The natural oils in your skin actually help keep silver bright.
Every Brilliant Belle order comes gift-boxed with a care card, so you have these tips on hand.
Frequently asked questions
Does tarnish mean my jewellery is fake?
No. Real sterling silver tarnishes. In fact, tarnish is one sign that a piece contains real silver. Plated or stainless steel jewellery behaves differently.
How often should I clean my silver?
Give it a quick wipe with a polishing cloth whenever it looks dull, and a gentle soap wash every month or two if you wear it daily.
Can I use silver dip cleaner?
You can, but use it sparingly. Dips are strong and can strip oxidised details or damage stones. Rinse very well afterwards.
Can I clean silver earrings the same way?
Yes. Clean the posts and hooks too, and wipe them with a little rubbing alcohol before wearing if you have sensitive ears.
Keep your sparkle going
Looking for something new to wear? Browse our dainty sterling silver earrings, silver necklaces and silver bracelets. Each piece is real 925 sterling silver, gift-boxed and delivered across South Africa.
