How to Clean Silver Jewellery and Prevent Tarnish

Honeycomb Prism Hoop Earrings in sterling silver by Lyastone

Your favourite silver earrings have turned dark or yellowish? Don't worry: that's tarnish, and it's completely normal. Sterling silver reacts with sulphur in the air, skin and everyday products, forming a thin dark layer on the surface. The good news is that tarnish is easy to prevent and, on plain silver, gentle to remove.

Here's how to clean silver jewellery safely at home, and how to keep it shining for longer.

What causes silver to tarnish?

Air and humidity: sulphur compounds in the air slowly darken silver, faster in humid weather.
Skin, sweat and products: perfume, lotion, sunscreen and hairspray speed up tarnishing.
Chlorine and salt water: pools, spas and the ocean are especially harsh.
Not wearing it: silver left out in the open often tarnishes faster than silver worn regularly.

Before you clean: check what your jewellery is made of

The right cleaning method depends on the material. Always check the product details first:

Plain 925 sterling silver: can be gently cleaned using the steps below.
Silver with gold or rhodium plating: clean only with a soft cloth or mild soapy water. Polishing or rubbing hard can wear away the plating.
Pieces with pearls, mother-of-pearl, turquoise or other soft stones: avoid soaking and chemicals; wipe gently instead. See how to care for pearl jewellery.

How to clean silver jewellery: step by step

For light tarnish and everyday cleaning

Fill a small bowl with warm water and a drop of mild dishwashing liquid.
Dip the piece briefly and clean gently with a very soft brush or your fingertips.
Rinse in clean water.
Pat completely dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Drying well is important, because moisture encourages new tarnish.

For darker tarnish on plain sterling silver

Use a silver polishing cloth, rubbing gently in straight, back-and-forth strokes rather than circles. Polishing cloths are the safest option for plain silver; avoid using them on plated pieces.

What to avoid

Toothpaste and baking soda pastes: they can be abrasive and leave fine scratches.
Harsh chemicals and bleach: can damage silver and stones.
"Dip" cleaners on plated or stone-set pieces: they can strip plating and harm porous stones.
Scrubbing hard: gentle is always better.

How to prevent silver from tarnishing

Last on, first off: put your jewellery on after perfume and lotion, and take it off before showering, swimming or exercising.
Wipe after wearing: a quick wipe with a soft cloth removes oils and moisture.
Store it airtight: keep pieces in a small zip-lock bag or a closed pouch, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip or a silica gel packet.
Store separately: so pieces don't scratch or tangle. A Travel Jewellery Roll keeps everything organised at home and away. Read how to travel with jewellery.
Wear it often: regular wear and gentle wiping help keep silver bright.

Our 925 sterling silver pieces

Pieces such as the Honeycomb Prism Hoop Earrings and the Sculpted Tide Hoop Earrings are made in 925 sterling silver. Each product page lists its exact materials and any plating, so you can choose the right care method. For a guide to buying silver earrings, see 925 sterling silver earrings: what to check before you buy.