The Budget Fashionista

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I wonder if you would have any suggestions on how to clean a silver necklace. I have tried jewelry cleaner (mild coconut based cleaner) that also works on costume jewelry, a polishing cloth and silver cream cleaner to no avail.

Answer: First make sure your necklace is in fact made from silver metal and not steel, pewter or another metal. If it’s in fact silver, there’s many methods that you can use to clean your necklace (try all of these at your own risk).

From the Berkeley Parent’s Network

Take a large pot (not non-stick), and line the inside with aluminum foil. Put in 8 cups of water, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup salt, and 1/4 cup liquid dish soap, and stir it a little. Place your sterling silver jewelry into the solution. Bring the to a simmer for a few minutes. Then turn off the burner and let it sit for another couple of minutes. Then using a colander or strainer, pour out the solution. Rinse with cold water. Count your items as you place them on a towel to dry. Make sure you’ve account for all your jewelry before you throw away the aluminum.

I’ve also heard that boiling the necklace in salt water and then using some plain white toothpaste and a toothbrush to polish a silver necklace also works well.

Overstock.com