Simple Ways to Clean Tarnished Silver Jewelry at Home.

 Tarnishing is a common occurrence, especially if you frequently wear brass or silver jewelry. It occurs when the metal reacts with oxygen or other compounds present in the environment. As your jewelry comes into contact with dirt, cosmetics, and body oils, it can become discolored, dull, and may even develop scratches.

 Thankfully, restoring your silver jewelry to its former glory is a straightforward process that requires just a few simple steps.

 What You Need to Prepare Before Cleaning:

• Baking soda

• Aluminum foil

• Soft jewelry cloth

• A large bowl

• Hot water

 Instructions:

1. Line a large bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, ensuring it covers the bottom completely.
2. Place your silver jewelry on the foil, separating pieces if necessary.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the jewelry, using approximately 2-3 tablespoons.
4. Pour hot water into the bowl, ensuring that all the jewelry is submerged.
5. Allow the jewelry to soak for 15-20 minutes.
6. Remove the pieces from the bowl and rinse them thoroughly.
7. Dry the jewelry with a soft jewelry cloth and store them only after they are completely dry.

 Why is Silver Prone to Tarnishing?

 Similar to pure gold, pure silver is relatively soft and malleable, making it unsuitable for crafting jewelry or other items. To address this issue, jewelers and metalworkers developed an alloy known as sterling silver, comprising 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other metals. The addition of copper enhances the strength and durability of sterling silver, but it also makes it susceptible to tarnishing over time.

 What Causes Tarnishing in Sterling Silver Jewelry?

 Several factors can contribute to tarnishing in sterling silver jewelry, including exposure to humid air, salty environments, household chemicals, chlorine, and sweat.

 How to Prevent Tarnishing in Your Silver Jewelry:

• Store your silver jewelry in plastic bags to minimize exposure to oxygen. Remove air from the bag before sealing it.

• Keep your jewelry away from water by removing it before activities such as showering, washing dishes, or washing hands. Ensure your silver jewelry is thoroughly dried after washing.

• Avoid contact with chemicals by putting on your silver jewelry after applying perfume, hairspray, and other products. Remove jewelry before engaging in activities that involve exposure to chemicals.

• Clean your silver jewelry regularly using polishing cloths to maintain its luster and shine.

 Now that you know how to clean your silver jewelry pieces, it's equally important to understand how to care for your gold plated jewelry if you wear them as well.