How to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry: 4 Simple Cleaning Methods

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Stainless steel jewelry is classic, fabulous, and chic. Not so much if it's super tarnished, though. If you want your jewelry to look brand new once again, there are a ton of simple solutions you can try. No expensive trip to the jeweler necessary!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Baking Soda

PDF download Download Article
  1. This method will remove tarnish from your jewelry and can also help you polish it as well. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of baking soda and 1 ⁄ 2 tablespoon (7.4 mL) of water in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients together with a spoon until the substance forms a paste. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Submerge a toothbrush in the baking soda paste and gently scrub down each piece of jewelry. Try to work the toothbrush into the crevices of the jewelry to make sure you remove all the tarnish, dust, and grime. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Run warm water from the faucet over the jewelry to rinse off the baking soda. After that, wipe down each piece with a clean cloth to dry the jewelry. [3]
    • Wait for your jewelry to fully dry before putting it away in storage. To keep the jewelry protected when you store it, keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Try a jewelry holder made out of a soft material. [4]
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Dish Soap

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    This method is great for removing grime like grease from your jewelry in addition to removing tarnish. Combine 1-3 drops of dish soap with hot water. You don't need an exact measurement for the amount of water you use. Just make sure it will be enough to fully submerge the jewelry. [5]
    • Any standard dish soap will do.
  2. [6] Choose a soft cloth that won't scratch or damage your jewelry in the cleaning process. Then, dampen the cloth with the solution. [7]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Clean off any tarnish, dirt, or dust. Use gentle motions to avoid scratching or damaging your jewelry. [8]
  4. Once you're done scrubbing your jewelry, wash off the cleaning solution with warm water. Then, use a cloth to dry off the jewelry. [9]
    • Once the jewelry is dry, store it away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. [10]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

White Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Try out white vinegar to restore the shine in your jewelry in addition to removing any tarnish. Pour 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar into a spray bottle. [11]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Opt for a cloth made of soft material so that it won't scratch the stainless steel. Then, spray the solution on the cloth until it's damp and gently scrub the jewelry. [12] This will clean off any tarnish, dust, or dirt. [13]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Combine 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar in a bowl. Next, place the jewelry in the solution. Fully submerge each piece and allow them to soak for up to 5 minutes. [14]
  4. To do so, gently rub the jewelry with a clean cloth. Avoid putting the jewelry back in storage until it is fully dry. [15]
    • Store your sparkling clean jewelry in a dry, cool place out of direct sunlight. [16]
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Toothpaste

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    This is a terrific means to polish and remove tarnish from your jewelry with an ingredient you surely have at home. First, wet a cloth with water. After it's fully damp, dab a small amount of toothpaste on the cloth. Use plain toothpaste for this method. [17]
    • Avoid toothpaste with any whitening products in the ingredients, as these can be too hard on your jewelry and damage it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Use gentle motions to scrub the surface without leaving any scratches. This will remove any tarnish and grime, and will also help you restore your jewelry's shine. [18]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Tarnish from Stainless Steel Jewelry
    Do this to wash off the remaining toothpaste. Make sure to rinse off any crevices to make sure you remove all of the toothpaste. [19]
  4. Make sure no water remains before storing your jewelry. Once it's dry, store it out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry location. [20]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You’ll Need

      Baking Soda

      • Baking soda
      • Hot water
      • Mixing bowl
      • Toothbrush
      • A cloth

      Dish Soap

      • Dish soap
      • Hot water
      • A cloth

      White Vinegar

      • White vinegar
      • Warm water
      • A cloth
      • A mixing bowl (optional)

      Toothpaste

      • Plain toothpaste
      • Toothbrush
      • Warm water

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Remove Rust from Metal
      How to
      Remove a Dent from a Stainless Steel Refrigerator
      How to
      Clean Sterling Silver
      A Guide to Cleaning Silver with Baking Soda
      How to
      Clean & Polish Silver with Baking Soda & Aluminum
      How to
      Polish Gold the Right Way
      How to
      Clean Stainless Steel Cutlery
      How to
      Remove Stains from Stainless Steel
      How to
      Clean Silver
      How to
      Polish Metal
      How to
      Wash a Pipe or Bong with Alcohol and Salt
      How to
      Remove Odor from Metal
      How to
      Clean Oxidized Aluminum
      How to
      Polish Stainless Steel
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      2. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      3. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      4. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/how-clean-your-sterling-silver-gold-jewelry-home-t128503
      5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/
      6. ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/
      8. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/
      9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/
      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/how-clean-your-sterling-silver-gold-jewelry-home-t128503
      2. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      3. ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      5. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      6. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      7. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/how-clean-your-sterling-silver-gold-jewelry-home-t128503
      8. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      9. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      10. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/
      11. ↑ https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-jewelry/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,597 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement