How to Get Rid of Jewelry Tarnish

Tarnish on jewelry is caused by oxidation that is similar to rust. Unfortunately, it can often make your jewelry look dingy and cheap. And since tarnish is naturally caused by the chemicals in the air, it can be quite impossible for you to prevent it from happening. To get rid of jewelry tarnish, you can either resort to the use of some common household items or make use of commercial products available in the market these days. If you’re the thrifty type, here are some brilliant ways to help you remedy jewelry tarnish in a cost-effective manner.

Getting Rid of Jewelry Tarnish with Baking Soda

 

Baking soda is an amazing tarnish remover that can help shine and clean your jewelry. You can also try this method to clean your silverware. Here’s how:

 

1. Take a dish and line it with an aluminum foil. If you’re cleaning your silverware, use a basin that is large enough to accommodate the items. You can also use an aluminum pan as your basin.
2. Lay the tarnished items on top of the aluminum foil.
3. Boil a quart of water in a saucepan.
4. Slowly add about ¼ cup of baking soda. Just make sure not to make it fizz.
5. Take the mixture and add it on the dish with your jewelry/silverware on it.
6. Keep your items immersed until the tarnish has completely vanished. For more stubborn stains, allow your items to soak longer.

 

When working on specific areas, you don’t need to soak your items in water and baking soda. Instead, get a cotton pad, dab it with a paste made with water and baking soda, and then buff the tarnish off the jewelry.

 

Getting Rid of Jewelry Tarnish with Vinegar

 

Vinegar is more acidic than baking soda, albeit smelly. This means that it can tackle stubborn tarnishes that refuse to go away. Don’t be too particular on its unappealing smell as it can be totally rinsed off with warm water.

 

1. In a shallower dish, mix ¼ cup of vinegar with a teaspoon of salt.
2. Place the jewelry into the mixture until the tarnish is completely removed.
3. Rinse your items thoroughly under running water. Make sure to rinse it well enough otherwise you will end up with a slightly greenish tinge on them

 

Getting Rid of Jewelry Tarnish with Lemon Juice

 

Like vinegar, lemon is also acidic that can help remove jewelry tarnish. Just squeeze the lemon in a shallow dish and place your jewelry in the squeezed lemon juice. Immerse it long enough to completely remove the tarnish. Once you are satisfied with the results, rinse it well with warm water and allow it to dry.

If all else fails and if you have the money, you can always bring it to the jewelry shop. The shop can clean the tarnishes off without damaging your items.

 

How to Prevent Jewelry Tarnish from Happening

 

As the old adage goes, “Prevention is better than cure”. Earrings, circlets, chokers, rings, and watches can all make you look rich and glamorous. Unfortunately all of these fashion accessories, no matter how expensive they are, can also turn grimy and old. To make them last longer and maintain its beautiful appearance at all time, you need to clean and store them properly. You can store some chalk along with your jewelry whilst replacing it each month. If you’re storing your jewelry with no-tarnish strips, make sure to replace the strips every two months. If you are attending a cocktail party and you want to show off your jewelry, make sure to wipe it with soft, clean cloth before storing in a tightly sealed plastic bag back again.

When removing tarnish, keep in mind that some chemicals can thin metal and can ruin your jewelry. This is why you need to be very careful not to damage your material and keep your jewelry look new. Make sure to pretest any treatment solution first in an inconspicuous part before treating the item with it.