Bringing Silver Jewelry Back to Life!

During my recent move, I rediscovered several boxes of jewelry I had made years ago.The designs still held up, but the shine? Not so much. All of the sterling silver pieces were very tarnished.

Many think  when they see dark, dull, dirty looking metal that it is ruined but many times it has just tarnished. The good news? You don’t need any fancy products to bring it back to life. A simple paste made from baking soda and water can restore your silver’s shine in just minutes!

Here is all you need:

tarnish sterling silver bracelet
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Soft cloth or toothbrush
  • Warm water for rinsing
  • Towel for drying

1. Start with the Tarnished Piece
Here’s what the jewelry looked like before—dull and darkened by tarnish. Tarnish happens when silver reacts with sulfur in the air, creating a layer of silver sulfide. It’s totally normal, especially if your jewelry hasn’t been worn in a while.

2. Make a Paste
Mix a small amount of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. You want it to be spreadable—not runny.

tarnished bracelet next to baking soda paste

3. Gently Rub It In
Using your fingers or a soft cloth (I prefer using my hands for better control), apply the paste to the silver and rub gently. You can also use a soft toothbrush to get into crevices. Check out the in-progress photo of the piece covered in paste—it looks a little messy but it’s doing the work!

4. Rinse and Dry
Once you’ve polished every surface, rinse the jewelry thoroughly with warm water. Dry it with a soft towel—and just like that, you’ll see your silver’s shine restored. Clean, bright, and ready to wear again.

Cleaned and Shiny Sterling Silver Bracelet

Pro Tips for Keeping Silver Shiny:

Wear It Often
Believe it or not, wearing your silver jewelry actually helps prevent tarnish. The natural oils in your skin create a barrier that keeps silver looking shiny. So don’t save your favorites for special occasions—wear them!

Store Smart
When you're not wearing your silver, store it in a small ziplock bag with the air pressed out, or in a container with a non-tarnish strip. This reduces exposure to air and moisture, which are the main culprits behind tarnish.

Baking soda is an affordable, non-toxic way to clean sterling silver at home. With just a few minutes of care, you can keep your jewelry sparkling and ready to wear. And remember: the more you wear it, the better it looks!

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