How to clean jewellery?

[CarrotOfPeace]

Hi sorry I wasn't sure where was best to post this.

I have inherited some old jewellery and am wondering how best to clean it. It is all silver with various stones. Just that 925 silver nothing fancy. What's the best way of cleaning it as it's all a bit tarnished and dirty.

Ultrasonic cleaner?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Ultrasonic-ultrasonic-Eyeglasses-Stainless/dp/B0CHRY4Z5L/ref=asc_df_B0CHRY4Z5L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=676187874159&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18132732649831564653&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045255&hvtargid=pla-2303708915964&psc=1&mcid=7fe64d5f737e3365b5ad4e397d97148a&gad_source=1

Soapy water an an old tooth brush and then shine it up with a jewellery cloth.

Yes this - use an old (hard) toothbrush and fairy liquid. I make jewellery and it’s a quick n dirty way of cleaning it.

Thank you very much. Glad the solution is so simple!

This works a treat on tarnished silver. Line a dish/container with tin foil. Chuck in some bicarbonate. Tsp or more. Pour in boiling water and then throw the jewellery in for 5m. Rinse and dry. It uses electrolyte action and is non abrasive.

This works really well

Be careful if you go the ultrasonic route. I lost two diamonds out of an expensive bracelet putting it in one of those. washing up liquid & foil methods are both safe & effective.

I once lost a small diamond from a set necklace and managed to find it and reset it . It was the first time I had tried this - and my heart was in my mouth when I took the necklace out and saw the hole! I almost cried and thought I’d never be able to find the bloody stone.

And if you are worried about stones being loose - pop the piece into a cup or mug (one piece at a time), cover the top (I use a tea towel and my hand) and give it a good rattle around. If anything is loose it will come out!

I use a specialised silver cleaner like one of these.
https://thesilvercleaningcompany.co.uk/

I also have settings checked by a jeweler periodically - it's heartbreaking to come home, look at your ring, and see an empty space where the stone was. Also expensive to replace.

I have some silver earrings which are very difficult to clean, so I took them to the jeweler to have them steam-cleaned.

I did the tinfoil and bicarb one on a Pandora ring and it tarnished the silver. Be careful if you don't know how robust the jewellery is

Yep, made a silver bracelet go black, I wouldn't use that method.

For larger pieces I use a silver polish cloth (you can buy them but I often get freebies when buying silver).

Thank you!

Really washing up liquid is safest. Once you get it clean it really helps to store silver in one of those anti tarnish jewelry storers or just in one of the resell plastic bags with a couple of those little black pieces of paper( is it paper?) that often comes in the packaging when you buy it.
There are lots on Amazon eg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/cobee-Protecter-Protection-Resistant-Silverware/dp/B0CCDPW5ZY/ref=sr_1_90_sspa?crid=1O528P0MCH21T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T2pSTWndyng3fyD4gNKb7D40P-id7JtT59EXFenLMJ6PQB8O9n4R4mA2hRqBp1XGlkwSEo3Zg8qG39f1VmQD7GT99R4L-Z-a552QO_7U0WL7Fvmh62b1FESVTO1-23oNRyPeUw-ZoqJlkN2ZLEJtBOBDozOlgSLt8nyxrOonZA4F2U4AvXHEaNmOLWUTByAJX05A4XF3lS4BpTYUMb6_I8cbYZE7_5Ra__I3yHcqedBE8bJ9N-dxzzm0zHvqkMjc67OQdO-hMnl2A72GKNbK28r78QbsVFedUMUxOEbzW50.Q3KMMSyV5nERWkQAYSI_0T8nPu9_BTR3s_qrwe67WaA&dib_tag=se&keywords=anti%2Btarnish%2Bsilver%2Bjewellery%2Bstorage&qid=1709807400&sprefix=anti%2Btarnish%2Bsilver%2Bjewellery%2Bstorage%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-90-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9idGY&th=1

I bought some silver in Bali - they recommended toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Also store it in tissue paper.

Toothpaste on a toothbrush removes tarnish dead easily.
Give it a good scrub, leave item covered in toothpaste for five mins or so, rinse off. Good for cleaning without removing any metal (as cape cod et al do)

I've lost stones using one of those too

Exactly what I was coming to say :) I clean up all my silver jewellery like this, if it’s not been cleaned for a long time you might need to do it more than once, and give it a rub over afterwards with kitchen towel.

I’ve had good luck using a soft toothbrush and washing-up liquid, then rinsing and drying with a cloth. For extra stubborn grime, I looked into more technical methods and came across ozone-based cleaning, which is actually used in tech industries.

This process, like the one described here www.modutek.com/wafer-processing-equipment/ozone-cleaning-process/, breaks down organic residues really effectively without harsh chemicals.

You should never put stones in these things

Good quality silver won’t tarnish

I've always used foil/bicarb/boiling water for silver jewellery and never had an issue. I dont leave it in long though, just until it stops fizzing