How to Clean Sterling Silver, Gold-Plated, and Gold Vermeil Jewelry at Home

Jul 23, 2024

Written by Diana Lee

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for supporting STUDIYO Jewelry!

Oh, the dreaded tarnish! It happens to all of us. Whether it's sterling silver, gold-plated jewelry, or gold vermeil, tarnish is inevitable. But don’t worry—tarnish doesn't mean your jewelry is poor quality! It can result from various environmental factors and your body's unique chemistry. Here are some effective ways to refresh your jewelry and make it look like new!

The Soap and Water Method

If you notice your jewelry starting to look a little dingy, it's best to clean it as soon as possible. The longer it sits, the harder it will be to remove the tarnish.

Prepare a Bath: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.
Soak the Jewelry: Let your jewelry soak for about 5 minutes.
Gently Rub: Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently scrub away any dirt or grime. Avoid abrasive cleaning cloths when cleaning gold-plated or gold vermeil jewelry, as they can strip the gold off your jewelry.
Rinse and Dry: Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

Try this method before anything else as it is the most gentle on your jewelry.

For Tough Tarnish, Try the Foil Method

If the soap and water method doesn’t completely remove the tarnish, it might benefit from a little chemistry.

Line a Bowl with Foil: Place a piece of aluminum foil at the bottom of a bowl.
Add Ingredients: Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt to the bowl. (leave out the salt for gold plated brass!)
Add Hot Water: Pour in enough hot water to cover the jewelry. Use a wooden spoon or chopstick to mix the solution until completely dissolved to avoid any abrasives from scratching your jewelry.
Soak the Jewelry: Place your sterling silver, gold-plated, or gold vermeil jewelry in the bowl and let it soak for 1-2 minutes, but avoid mixing different metals. Make sure your piece touches the foil to trigger the chemical reaction. (I like to err on the side of caution and only leave it in for 1 minute)
Rinse and Dry: Rinse the jewelry well with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. A microfiber cloth like this is effective and will be gentle on your jewelry.

Some Important Tips on this method:

This method is generally safe to use on sterling silver, heavy gold-plated jewelry, and gold vermeil jewelry. However, I do not recommend using it on areas of your jewelry with stones or enamel.
⚠️ If you are unsure if your jewelry is gold plated brass or gold vermeil, I would leave out the salt for a gentler reaction. Adding salt to a thin gold plated brass piece can cause the underlying brass to corrode faster and turn purple. ⚠️
It's best to use this method sparingly and only if absolutely necessary to remove stubborn tarnish, as the chemical reaction involved can potentially wear down the gold layer over time.
Only clean one piece of jewelry at a time with the solution. You don't want cross contamination happening where tarnish is drawn from one piece and attached to the other. Make a new batch with new foil for each piece. You can reduce the amount of salt and baking soda for smaller pieces as long as the ratio is 1:1

What is This Voodoo and Why Does It Work?

The baking soda and foil combo creates an electrolytic solution that transfers the tarnish from your jewelry to the aluminum foil. The salt makes the water a better conductor for the reaction, and the hot water speeds up and initiates the process. (You can tell it's working when you see the tiny bubbles on your jewelry!) This method will still work without salt, just not as fast.

This method is a safe, non-toxic, and effective way to clean your jewelry because it removes tarnish without harming the underlying metal.

Preventing Tarnish

Now that your jewelry is nice and clean, how do we prevent it from tarnishing again?

Clean Your Jewelry Regularly:

Regular cleaning is essential to extend the life of your jewelry and keep it looking bright. Wipe down your jewelry with a microfiber cloth and use a little soap and water to remove oils or any chemical build up you get from perfumes or lotions. Do this often to catch tarnish in its early stages!

Dry Storage:

When not wearing your jewelry, keep it in an airtight container or bag. Moisture is the enemy when it comes to fighting tarnish. Pro tip: You know those silica gel packets that come in packaging? Don't throw those away! Stick them in areas where you store your jewelry! They help absorb excess moisture in the air, keeping your jewelry tarnish-free for longer!

Avoid Sweat:

Sweat contains moisture, salt, and acid—all of which can accelerate tarnishing. Be sure to remove your jewelry before working out, or clean it right after a sweaty day.

By following these tips and cleaning methods, you can keep your sterling silver, gold-plated, and gold vermeil jewelry looking beautiful and sparkling for years to come. Regular maintenance not only preserves the appearance of your pieces but also ensures their longevity, allowing you to enjoy them for many more occasions.

I hope this helps and happy cleaning!

<3 Yoyo

Blog