Keeping silver jewellery clean is often just as hard as untangling necklaces, matching earrings and locating a butterfly fastener in the carpet.
As any accessory lover will know, it’s one thing keeping your box of precious jewels tidy in a drawer or on a stand, let alone making sure they’re tarnish-free.
Over time, jewellery – whether it’s chains, earrings, bracelets or rings – can wear down and become discoloured as a result of the metals reacting with moisture, acids and oils in the air.
How a piece of jewellery tarnishes completely depends on its composition (think gold, metal, tungsten) and its environment, so before you splurge on your must-have accessories this season, it’s crucial to learn how to keep them in top condition.
We spoke to Marisa Hordern, Missoma founder and creative director, to find out her top tips for keeping silver jewellery clean.
A number of factors can cause silver chains to become tarnished including perfumes and body lotions but also sweat, exposure to air and even sunlight. Over time, any sterling silver jewellery exposed to air will tarnish.
Tarnishing is a reaction to moisture and sulphur in the air causing a thin dark layer to form on the surface. Silver tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution. But remember that chemicals like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion and bleach can speed up the tarnishing process.
Missoma plate all its Sterling silver jewellery with Rhodium as it acts like an anti-tarnish.
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You can clean it using warm water, washing up liquid and a small bowl.
If your chain has any stones in it – such as pearls – please be careful as they are porous and should not be put in water. Always check what you're about to clean.
This is a hotly debated topic in jewellery, and it can be tempting to clean a chain with toothpaste or baking soda if you don’t have access to proper silver cleaner.
In my experience, pieces are best cleaned with the specially-formulated solution, as extra chemicals from the toothpaste or baking soda could cause further damage. So, if you can help it, keep the toothpaste and baking soda for teeth brushing and baking!
If jewellery has turned black, the quickest way to clean it is using a silver dip.
Place your jewellery in the silver dip for 10-20 seconds, remove it and wash it with water then leave to dry.
You can follow this up by cleaning it with a soft polishing cloth. Don’t leave it in the dip too long though and always follow the instructions on the packet.
Always play by the ‘last on, first off’ rule.
When you’re not wearing the chains, store them away somewhere which isn't in direct sunlight. The biggest thing to remember is to avoid washing in them, or indeed swimming. Also, try to remember not to spray your jewellery with your perfumes, or let it come into contact with skincare (eg moisturisers) and any other beauty products as it'll help them stay shiny for longer.
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When you remove your jewellery for the day, quickly wipe over it with a reusable cotton pad or a soft microfibre cloth. This will help to remove any excess oils and keep it in tip-top shape to put back on the next day.
Once a month for extra-shiny pieces that will always look gleaming.
I set a reminder in my calendar or phone and use it as my down time; self-care for my jewellery.
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