Care Guide: How to Keep Your Silver Jewellery Shining During the Festive Rush

The festive season is magical: endless parties, traditional ceremonies, rich fabrics, and dazzling jewellery. While your Kicky and Perky silver pieces are designed for shine, the festive rush—with increased exposure to perfumes, hairspray, sweat, and moisture—can accelerate tarnishing.

Don't let your favourite pieces lose their sparkle! Keeping your sterling silver maintenance routine simple and effective ensures your jewellery looks as brilliant on the last day of the season as it did on the first. Here is your ultimate, easy-to-follow guide on how to clean silver jewellery at home and keep your shine intact.

1. The Golden Rule: Wear Last, Take Off First

The easiest way to prevent silver tarnishing is to manage exposure to chemicals and moisture.

• Apply Everything First: Always apply your makeup, perfume, lotion, and hairspray before putting on your Silver Earrings. The chemicals in these products are silver's biggest enemy!

• Keep it Dry: Never wear silver jewellery while bathing, swimming, or doing dishes. Chlorine and saltwater are highly corrosive to sterling silver.

• Post-Party Wipe: After a long night, your skin's natural oils and sweat transfer to your jewellery. Before putting away your Silver Rings or Silver Pendants, give each piece a quick, gentle wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth. This simple step goes a long way in maintain silver shine.

2. Simple Cleaning: How to Clean Silver at Home

When a simple wipe isn't enough, you can easily restore your jewellery's brilliance using household items.

The Baking Soda & Foil Method (Best for Heavy Tarnish)

This method uses a chemical reaction (ion exchange) to lift heavy tarnish safely. This is ideal for how to clean silver that has turned quite dark.

• Prep the Bath: Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up.

• Add Ingredients: Place your silver jewellery on the foil. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt over the pieces.

• Activate: Pour enough hot (not boiling) water to completely submerge the jewellery. You will see bubbles and a slight sulphur smell—this is the tarnish lifting!

• Rinse and Dry: Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse the jewellery thoroughly under cool water and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Do not air dry.

The Mild Soap Solution (Best for Daily Grime)

For light cleaning of rings or chains—a quick way to learn how to clean silver ornaments at home.

• Mix a few drops of mild, phosphate-free dish soap with warm water.

• Soak your silver pieces for 5 minutes.

• Gently scrub intricate areas (like around gemstone settings) using a soft baby toothbrush.

• Rinse well and dry completely.

⚠️ A Note on Gemstones: Never soak pieces that contain pearls, coral, or emeralds, as the water and chemicals can damage soft stones. Only wipe these gently—especially any delicate pieces from our Silver Bracelet Collection.

3. Smart Storage: The Key to Preventing Future Tarnish

The way you store silver jewellery is critical, especially during the humid or busy months. There are a few simple ways to create a protective environment:

• The Air Barrier: Tarnish is caused by oxidation (reaction with Sulphur in the air). Store silver in an airtight environment, such as a zip-top plastic bag with all the air pressed out. This is essential for protecting your layered Silver Chains and Necklaces.

• The Anti-Tarnish Strip: Place an anti-tarnish strip (available online) or even a small piece of chalk inside the bag to absorb moisture and Sulphur compounds. There are products specifically designed for this purpose.

• Separate Spaces: Never store silver with other metals like gold or costume jewellery. Different metals can scratch silver and react with each other, speeding up oxidation.

Keep Your Kicky and Perky Pieces Perfect

Your Kicky and Perky silver is an investment in timeless style. By dedicating just a few minutes after each festive event to cleaning and proper storage, you ensure your cherished festive jewellery care routine pays off. A little effort goes a long way in preserving the brilliant shine of your sterling silver for all the celebrations to come!

Need a new piece to add to your gleaming collection? Shop Our Sparkling Silver Collections Here!