Knowing how to clean a chain necklace is crucial for maintaining its luster and preserving its beauty. Whether you’ve been wondering about methods to clean your cherished piece without causing damage, or simply want to restore its initial sparkle, we’ve got you covered.
- It’s easy to overlook the need for cleaning your chain necklace, especially if you wear it frequently or if it has been stored away and out of sight.
- You may be surprised to see just how tarnished and lackluster your favorite items can become over time.
Fortunately, cleaning most chain necklace types is straightforward. Below, we provide some simple home-based methods to restore their shine.
Various Methods to Clean a Chain Necklace
- Silvermate (for shiny silver only, avoid black oxidized or acid-washed products)
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Water and dishwashing liquid
- Lemon and salt bath
- Regular toothpaste
- Window cleaner
Silvermate (Recommended for Shiny Silver Only)
Our top recommendation for rejuvenating silver, especially if it’s been stored for a while, is Silvermate. Available on Amazon for roughly $40, this product does wonders.
Soap & Water Method
This technique is highly effective for cleaning silver, stainless steel, gold-plated, and gold-filled chain necklaces.
- Soak your chain for a few minutes in a solution of hot water and Marseille soap, then softly rub it with a soft cloth.
- To tackle intricate links, use a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab.
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water and dry.
Baking Soda Method
This versatile approach works well on all types of chains, including silver, stainless steel, gold-plated, gold-filled, and costume jewelry pieces.
- Baking soda, distinct from baking powder, is an effective cleaner for both silver and gold chains.
- This method serves as an excellent alternative.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a little warm water in a bowl to form a paste.
- Use a soft toothbrush to scrub your chain necklaces.
White Vinegar Method
White vinegar works exceptionally well on silver big link chains but is not suitable for gold-plated or gold-filled chains due to its acidity, which can harm the plating.
- Soak the chain in a bowl of white vinegar for a few hours.
- After soaking, rinse and gently dry the jewelry.
Lemon Juice Method
Lemon juice can work wonders; simply use a soft cloth soaked in lemon juice to wipe your jewelry. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid using lemon juice for gold-plated, gold-filled, or plated chains as its acidity can damage the finish.
- If the chain is heavily soiled, boiling it in water may help.
- After the water cools, clean the chain using your fingers or a soft brush.
- Dry it on a clean towel when done.
Water and Dishwashing Liquid Method
- Combine warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl. Soak the chain for a few minutes.
- Massage the chain gently with your fingers to clean it.
- Rinse with clean water and place it on a towel to dry.
Lemon and Salt Bath
- Squeeze a lemon into a bowl, add three tablespoons of salt and hot water, and immerse the necklace for five minutes.
- Remove and rub gently with a soft cloth.
- Ideal for cleaning silver chains.
Regular Toothpaste
- Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to a dish and use a dishwashing sponge to rub it into the silver.
- Rinse with warm water.
Window Cleaner
Spray window cleaner onto a soft cloth and rub it onto the silver chain necklace.
A “jewelry cleaning/polishing” cloth can be a great tool to have on hand for maintaining your chain necklaces.
These cloths are available from silver-selling stores, cobblers, or online retailers.
- While not included in this experiment, we believe most people may not have these at home.
- However, after trying other methods, using a silver cleaning cloth can provide an extra level of shine.
- Even after using the baking soda and aluminum method, a silver cleaning cloth can enhance the finish further.
