DIY Network

Caring for Silver Jewelry From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-105

Jackie's solution made this sterling piece gleam. Check out Jackie's other tips for making the most of your silver treasures.

Host Jackie Guerra offers tips for keeping silver sparkling.

• The easiest way to prevent silver from tarnishing between wearings is to keep the jewelry in cloth pouches.. A simple plastic bag used for storing food will also work. This type with the seal lock is the best. The point is to keep all the air and light off of silver.

• The easiest way to remove tarnish is with a clean silver cloth. You can pick one up at any jewelry store. Rub the cloth against the silver, don’t pull, especially on chains, which could break them. (Silver is very pliable.)

• Jackie's silver solution: make your own cleaner by putting 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of salt in an aluminum pan – make sure it’s aluminum, that’s what makes this work --- add hot water, mix it up and drop in your tarnished silver. A "magical" chemical removes the tarnish. Then, rinse and wipe dry.

• Soft cotton t-shirts and flannel work well for cleaning silver. BUT avoid other materials ? especially tissue. Believe it or not, tissue can scratch your silver.

• Finally, avoid swimming in chlorine while wearing your silver.