Are your favourite silver earrings looking dull or tarnished? Follow this easy cleaning guide from Abbott Lyon to get them looking good as new again.
Clean Your Silver Earrings Easily
If you’re wondering how to clean silver earrings, the good news is you don’t need fancy tools or specialised detergents. These tips and tricks will get those silvers sparkling again. You can use this guide for the rest of your silver jewellery collection, too.
1. Start with a simple soap soak
Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a drop of mild dish soap. Put your silver earrings in the water and leave them to sit for about 5–10 minutes. This loosens any oils, makeup, or everyday build-up that’s been making your earrings look dull. It’s the easiest way to refresh your favourite pieces.
2. Polish with a Soft Cloth
Once your earrings have soaked, use a microfibre cloth to polish them gently. Move in small circles and avoid scrubbing too hard; silver loves a light touch. This polishing will help bring back that smooth, mirror-like shine.
3. Stubborn tarnish? Try baking soda
If your earrings have dulled over time, this will help get them back to their former glory:
- Create a paste using a little baking soda mixed with water.
- Dab the paste onto your earrings with your fingertips, polish gently, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
This easy at-home trick keeps silver jewellery looking luminous.
4. Some other easy at-home cleaning methods
If baking soda alone doesn’t clean your silver earrings, there are a few other ways you can clean your silver jewellery using items found in your kitchen.
Try the baking soda and foil method:
- Line a small bowl with aluminium foil (tinfoil), shiny side up.
- Place your earrings on the foil, making sure they are touching it.
- Pour boiling water and baking soda into the bowl. Use one tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water.
- Soak your earrings for 3–5 minutes.
- Use a pair of tweezers to remove your earrings from the hot water.
- Rinse with cool water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
If you don’t have foil, don’t worry; you can use a vinegar and baking soda soak instead. Note that you can only use this soak for non-gemstone items:
- In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 2 cups of warm water.
- Soak your earrings in the mixture for 2–3 hours.
- Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
This method takes a little longer but gives you great results.
5. Invest in an ultrasonic cleaner
If you wear a lot of silver jewellery, especially earrings with intricate designs and hard-to-clean details, treat yourself to an ultrasonic cleaner. These cleaners use tiny vibrations to deep-clean your jewellery.
Use a professional-grade, pH-neutral and non-toxic jewellery cleaning solution specially formulated for use in an ultrasonic cleaner. After a couple of minutes in an ultrasonic bath, your jewellery should start looking brighter. After cleaning, rinse and dry your earrings thoroughly.
6. Trust the professionals
For antique jewellery, family heirlooms and items with delicate gemstones, it’s worth getting them professionally cleaned. Jewellers know how to handle your treasured pieces and can also provide services like re-plating if needed.
7. Always dry thoroughly
Moisture causes silver to tarnish faster, so make sure your earrings are completely dry before storing them. Use a soft microfibre cloth or let them air-dry thoroughly.
8. Store carefully
Keep your silver earrings in a closed jewellery box or pouch when you’re not wearing them. Storing them away from humidity and sunlight helps preserve their bright, clean finish for longer.
Follow this advice on how to clean silver earrings whenever your treasured silver pieces are looking dull or lacklustre. These easy at-home tips will soon get them glowing again.