Asked on Nov 21, 2017

I need a way to clean silver jewelry to remove the black oxidation.

Mrsredsie
by Mrsredsie

This was originally a shiney heart from Tiffanys in NYC. All silver jewelry does this on me unless the content is .625! Please help! How do I clean this silver jewelry?

  20 answers
  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 21, 2017

    Plain white toothpaste without whitening or anything in it and a tooth brush.

    • See 3 previous
    • Michele Wright-Applegate Michele Wright-Applegate on Nov 25, 2017

      Look on pintrest.Can't remember the recipe Use the solution that uses foil.works great!






  • You have a lot of acid in your system, happens to a lot of people. Toothpaste, not gel, works well.

  • Use a silver polishing cloth.

  • Gerri Zlonis-lehmann Gerri Zlonis-lehmann on Nov 21, 2017

    A piece of wool cloth will work too

  • Amanda Amanda on Nov 21, 2017

    Hello. I use a polishing cloth made for jewelry. It will take all of the tarnish right off.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 21, 2017

    I am so glad it worked for you. I found that works much better than silver polish as you can get it off with no residual left in cracks and crevices. It definitely looks much better!

  • Cindy Cindy on Nov 21, 2017

    I make my own cleaner. I mix one tablespoon of each: salt, baking soda and dish detergent. You will also need a cup of water and a small piece of aluminum foil. Heat the water in the microwave for 1 - 2 minutes. Place the foil in the bottom of a cereal bowl. Put the salt, b soda and dish soap in the bowl on top of foil. Then pour the hot water in and mix. Put the jewelry in and let it set for 5 or 10 mins. Then rinse in cool water and dry with a soft cloth. Discard the solution and the job is done.

  • Juanita Oot Juanita Oot on Nov 21, 2017

    I put foil in a shallow dish put jewelry in and cover with plane white vinegar for about five minutes, rince ,dry, done.

  • William William on Nov 21, 2017

    Glad the toothpaste worked. I had no doubt it would.


    I sell a lot of silver on Ebay. Jewelry, silverware, serving sets. Silver polish and dips tend to remove some of the metal. The foil method doesn't work that great and still leaves a grey film that still needs to be removed AND it also removes some of the metal. I use white toothpaste (not gel)and a damp toothbrush. For large items I use a damp cloth. Also works on copper, brass, gold, porcelain, ceramics, sneakers, plastics, etc. For my sales I needed one product for cleaning everything.

  • Roberta Taylor Roberta Taylor on Nov 22, 2017

    Very good advice. Is it difficult to find “plain” toothpaste tho?

    • See 2 previous
    • Carole Carole on Nov 26, 2017

      Mr Metal is the best metal cleaner around! Try it I promise you'll love it!

  • Kar11696955 Kar11696955 on Nov 22, 2017

    When your shine returns, put a piece of chalk in your jewelry box, it will retain its beauty. I agree with cleaning with toothpaste, my birthstone is opal, a delicate stone, and a soft bristle toothbrush are my best tested.

  • Jessica Ortega Jessica Ortega on Nov 22, 2017

    James Avery sells a cleaning cloth that cleaned my jewelry so nice taking all the black stains.

    and guess what? It was only $3.50

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 22, 2017

    Are you sure they are sterling? I would take it to a good named jeweler and see if perhaps it is not pure sterling. I have never heard of sterling turning pink. Could it be silver plate and it is wearing off? Perhaps the pink tint is the underlying metal coming through.

    • See 4 previous
    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 24, 2017

      Yes, people say that it does relieve arthritis pain, as does magnetic jewelry. It does sound like the bracelet was silver plate and not sterling. I don't know about if it will relieve arthritis or not, but it is worth a try. I make bracelets with magnetic stones to wear for myself and it does seem to help some. I have had the stiffness in my fingers for over twenty years. I don't know if it helps, but it hasn't gotten worse in the five years I have worn them, I just wish they would help with the pain cold brings on when I am digging in the chest freezer for things that always seem to be at the bottom when I need them.

  • Carmen Vera Carmen Vera on Nov 26, 2017

    silver si cleaned with "bicarbonato " and water . A glass of water and two spoons of bicarbonato . put jewerly it half an hour . After celan with a towel

  • Cynthia Isslieb Cynthia Isslieb on Nov 26, 2017

    I agree the jewelry cloth is the best. I have also used Tarn X. You can also buy ultra sonic cleaner which works well too.


  • Jacquie Trundy Jacquie Trundy on Nov 26, 2017

    Buy a cloth made for silver. Works for me.

  • Mary Wilson Mary Wilson on Nov 26, 2017

    I had a jeweler tell me to use fluoride toothpaste and a tooth brush. Thats all I have used for 30 years it works great. I have the same problem even with sterling silver.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Oct 02, 2022

    These are many ways to clean your silver, try one of these:

    No more tarnishing with aluminum

    Boil 4 cups of water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and some aluminum foil. Place silverware in for 10 seconds then remove with kitchen tongs.

    Ketchup isn’t just for eating

    Tarnished silver can be polished with ketchup using a paper towel – for silver that has crevices, use a toothbrush.

    Kill two birds with one stone

    When using Windex to clean your windows, spray some on a rag and use it to scrub your silver.

    Brush your silver with toothpaste

    Use circular motions to brush non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste onto silver. Leave on for five minutes before washing off with water.

    Use soda for tarnished silver

    Fill a plastic bowl with lemon-lime soda and place slightly tarnished silver in it for one hour. Rinse and dry with a paper towel.