Sterling silver earrings are like little treasures that add glamour to your ears, but over time, they can lose their sparkle if not properly cared. 

Sterling silver is beautiful, but it can tarnish over time. Tarnish is a blackened or grey sticky layer that forms on the surface of sterling silver jewellery due to a reaction with air and moisture. 

If you've ever wondered how to clean your sterling silver earrings and make them shine and look polished again, you're in the right place.

General Precautions to be taken care of

Here are some general Do’s and Don'ts when handling sterling silver jewellery: 

• Avoid over exposing your sterling silver earrings to extreme heat or moisture, this could result in deteriorating the quality of your earrings. 

• Also, avoid wearing your sterling silver jewellery to activities like bathing, swimming, sunbathing or even washing dishes as extreme humidity and moisture can blacken it. 

• Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth instead of paper towels when cleaning earrings, ensuring gentle handling during the cleaning process. 

• After you are done cleaning, make sure earrings are completely dry, free from any type of residue, moisture before you wear or store them.

• Store your sterling silver earrings in an airtight box or bag to protect them from natural sunlight and airborne moisture.  Store your earrings in a cool and dry place 

Materials needed for Cleaning

To embark on the journey of cleaning your sterling silver earrings, you would want to assemble the basic necessary and essential materials 

Gentle Cleaning Solutions:

First and foremost, opt for gentle cleaning solutions to pamper your earrings without causing any damage.

These solutions can either be commercially available non-abrasive cleaners or homemade portions especially designed for materials like silver and gold. 

Soft Microfiber Cloth:

In the world of jewellery care, a good quality microfiber cloth is often overlooked by many.

A delicate soft microfiber cloth is perfect for wiping away any dirt and tarnish without causing any damage to the surface for your sterling silver earrings and preventing them from any scratches. 

Soft Bristled Toothbrush:

A good quality microfiber cloth is definitely a necessity but sometimes it is not enough for every type of sterling silver jewellery as some have very intricate and complicated designs.

For intricate designs or hard-to-reach places, we need the help of a soft bristled toothbrush.

This brush navigates the nooks and corners of your jewellery with finesse, ensuring a thorough clean without any damage.

Mild Dish Soap:

Commercially sold products may not be available to everyone. In this situation, a mild dish soap comes in handy.

A mild dish soap proves to be a versatile option in general cleaning, offering a simple yet effective solution for regular maintenance. 

Now we know the basic things needed to clean your sterling silver earrings.

Methods to clean your sterling silver jewellery

Let’s take a look at different methods to clean your silver jewellery that is tarnishing or has gotten black already. 

Method I: Using mild dish soap

Cleaning and polishing your sterling silver earrings that have turned black with mild dish soap is easy and effective. 

Here are the steps involved:

1. You'll need mild dish soap, a soft microfiber cloth, and a small bowl.

2. Fill the bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Mix it gently to create a soapy solution.

3. Place your sterling silver earrings into the soapy water. Let them soak for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or tarnish.

4. Take a soft-bristle toothbrush and gently brush your earrings, especially focusing on intricate designs or detailed areas. This helps remove any stubborn grime.

5. After brushing, rinse your earrings under running water to remove the soapy residue. Ensure all soap is washed away.

6. Use a soft microfiber cloth to pat your earrings dry. Make sure to be gentle to avoid any scratches.

7. Take a moment to inspect your clean and sparkling earrings. If needed, repeat the process for any missed spots.

By following these simple steps, not only your sterling silver earrings will regain their shine but will also get sterlized and you'll be able to enjoy their beauty for a long time.

Method II: Using Baking Soda and Water Paste

Cleaning your sterling silver earrings by making a thick paste of baking soda and water is a simple and best homemade way to bring back their shine. 

Here are the steps involved:

1. You'll need baking soda, water, a soft micro fiber cloth, and a small bowl.

2. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water in the bowl until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.

3. Use your fingers or the soft cloth to apply the baking soda paste to your sterling silver earrings. Make sure to cover the entire surface.

4. With the soft cloth, gently rub the paste onto your earrings. If you can't get to deeper areas with the cloth, you can also use a brush. Focus on areas with tarnish or dirt, and buff the surface to bring back the shine.

5. Once you've rubbed the paste, rinse your earrings under running water to remove any remaining baking soda.

6. Use a soft, dry cloth to pat your earrings completely dry. Ensure there's no moisture left.

7. Take a close look at your sparkling earrings. The baking soda paste should have removed tarnish, leaving them looking as good as new.

By following these straightforward steps, you can easily clean your sterling silver earrings using a baking soda and water paste, giving them a fresh and radiant appearance.

Method III: Using Lemon and Salt Soak

Cleaning your dirty sterling silver earrings with a lemon and salt soak is a natural and easy way to restore their sparkle.

Here are the simple steps to follow:

1. You'll need a lemon, table salt, a small bowl, and a soft cloth.

2. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the lemon to extract its juice into the small bowl.

3. Sprinkle a small amount of table salt into the lemon juice. Mix it gently to dissolve the salt.

4. Drop your sterling silver earrings into the lemon and salt solution. Ensure they are fully submerged.

5. Allow your earrings to soak in the solution for about 5-10 minutes. The natural acids in the lemon will work to break down tarnish.

6. If there are stubborn spots, you can use a soft toothbrush to gently brush the earrings.

7. After soaking, remove the earrings and rinse them under running water to remove any lemon and salt residue.

8. Use a soft, dry cloth to pat your earrings completely dry. Make sure there's no moisture left.

9. Examine your earrings and admire their renewed shine. The lemon and salt soak should have removed tarnish, leaving them looking fresh and bright.

By following these easy steps, you can naturally clean your sterling silver earrings with a lemon and salt soak, keeping them looking beautiful and sparkling.

Method IV: Using commercially sold silver cleaners

Cleaning your sterling silver earrings with a commercial silver cleaner is a quick and straightforward process.

Here's a simple guide:

1. You'll need the commercial silver cleaner, a soft cloth, and a bowl of water.

2. Pick a silver cleaning product available at your local store. Read the instructions on the packaging carefully as each product may have slightly different application methods.

3. Use a soft cloth to apply the commercial cleaner to your sterling silver earrings. Make sure to cover the entire surface.

5. Gently rub the cleaner onto your earrings, focusing on areas with tarnish. Be careful not to use excessive force to avoid scratching.

6. Some cleaners may recommend leaving the product on for a specific amount of time. Follow the recommendations for optimal results.

7. After applying the cleaner, rinse your earrings under running water to remove any remaining product.

8. Use a soft, dry cloth to pat your earrings completely dry. Ensure there's no moisture left.

By following these easy steps and heeding the instructions on the commercial cleaner, you can quickly clean your sterling silver earrings and keep them looking polished and beautiful.

Buy quality 925 sterling silver earrings that you don't have to worry about constantly for tarnishing that also has cool options like sterling silver stud and drop earrings here.

Considering Polishing and Buffing Techniques:

A simple way to take care of your gold and silver earrings is to polish them regularly, maybe every few months, but not too often. 

Store your cleaning cloth in a dry place, so it's ready when you plan to use it at the right time. When polishing, move the cloth up and down, not in circles, and be gentle – your earrings need care. 

For cleaning silver, it's best to use cloth like the Foraineam cloth. If you enjoy mixing silver with your gold, consider getting the Pack of Two Connoisseur Ultrasoft Polish Cloths. That way, you're all set for keeping both types of jewellery shining bright. 

If you forgetfully wear sterling silver jewellery to the shower, learn whether you can wear sterling silver jewellery to the shower safely here.

Conclusion: 

You can use any of the above methods and successfully clean your sterling silver earrings. But the effectiveness can vary from method-to-method depending on your silver quality.

So, if you can’t polish your sterling silver earrings clean straight away with a method, try a new method. It will all work out and your sterling silver earrings will shine again like when it were young.

FAQs

What is the best cleaner for tarnished sterling silver?

To clean tarnished sterling silver, create a paste using baking soda and water, gently rub it on the silver, then rinse and dry. Alternatively, use a silver polishing cloth or a commercial silver cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals, and always follow care instructions for specific silver items.

Does toothpaste clean silver?

Toothpaste can be used to clean silver. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth or toothbrush, gently scrub the silver, then rinse and dry thoroughly. However, avoid using toothpaste with abrasive additives, as they may scratch the silver. Always test on a small area first.

Does Coke clean silver?

Yes, Coke can clean silver due to its acidic nature. Soak the silver item in Coke for a few hours, then scrub with a soft brush, rinse, and dry. However, this method may not be suitable for all types of silver, and excessive use should be avoided.