Beauty
Have tarnished silver jewelry? Here’s the easiest way to clean it
I've been needing to do this – and it couldn't be easier!
Sasha Alonzo
03.24.22

Over time our jewelry starts to change color. Especially when it comes to silver. Then the question becomes, how do you make it look shiny and new again?

Madeline Della Mora has a method

More than 1 million people have watched her video on how to quickly clean silver jewelry with just three items.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

This method cleans both sterling silver and silver-plated items.

Three items needed

To clean your silver jewelry, you’ll need aluminum foil, baking soda, and boiling water.

Take some aluminum foil and place it at the bottom of a cup or pot. Della Mora uses the shiny side up.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

Then place your silver jewelry inside.

If you’re using a cup, you’ll want to toss in about a tablespoon of baking soda.

Figure two tablespoons if you’re using a bigger pot or go with what you feel is a good amount.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

Della Mora says she’s liberal with her baking soda and doesn’t use precise measurements.

Next, pour some boiling into your cup.

If you’re using the pot method, then you can toss your jewelry into the boiling pot of water that is lined with aluminum and has baking soda in it.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

Give it time

Let your jewelry sit in the boiling water for a few minutes.

Eventually, your water will start to smell weird.

“It stinks so much!” Della Mora found.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

“If the item is sterling silverplated it won’t be stamped 925. If the item is taking on more a brassy or orange coppery tone, it’s a sign that the plating has worn off. Not that it is tarnished,” Della Mora says.

Watch the color of the water change

In addition to the smell, the water will turn a greyish color.

Use a fork to swish your jewelry around a bit before using it to fish out your jewelry.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water or the jewelry that’s been warmed by the water.

Bust out a towel

Use a regular towel or a silver polishing cloth to dry off and shine up your jewelry.

There are a few steps you can take to prevent future tarnishing with your jewelry. You can store them in a jewelry dust bag or tiny zip-close plastic baggies.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

You can also add non-tarnishing tabs to your plastic bags. They are little pieces of paper that completely eliminate tarnishing for about six months when put in a sealed bag.

The paper tabs absorb all the oxygen in the bag. Silver tarnishes when exposed to oxygen.

“If it’s [your piece of jewelry] is constantly being worn, the tarnish won’t appear as dark but if you kind of leaves the bracelet out in the open for a month it will take on that tarnish tone,” Della Mora explains.

Madeline Della Mora - YouTube
Source:
Madeline Della Mora - YouTube

Some of her fans also had great tips of their own.

“Be careful not to scratch your jewelry with the fork! Otherwise, this works really nicely,” wrote one.

Be ready for your jewelry to shine like new once again. Watch the video below for the full step-by-step process.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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