How to Clean & Care for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry (The RSNY Guide)
Sterling silver is beautiful, timeless, and — if you treat it right — nearly indestructible. Tarnish isn’t damage; it’s a natural reaction between silver and the air, and it’s fully reversible at home.

Why Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Silver is alloyed with copper, which reacts with sulfur in the air — humidity, pollution, even foods like eggs. Speed it up: perfume/lotion on jewelry, chlorine, and humid rooms.
How to Prevent Tarnish
- Wear it — your skin’s oils keep it polished
- Store it right — airtight bag, separate pieces, outside the bathroom
- Beauty products first — then jewelry
3 Easy Cleaning Methods
1. Gentle soap wash (everyday): warm water + mild dish soap, soft toothbrush, rinse, pat dry.
2. Baking soda paste (moderate): 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, rub gently with a soft cloth, rinse and dry.
3. Foil & baking soda trick (stubborn tarnish): line a bowl with aluminum foil, add 1 tablespoon baking soda + a pinch of salt, pour in hot water, drop your silver in so it touches the foil. Wait 2–3 minutes — tarnish transfers to the foil. Rinse and admire. (Best on smooth pieces.)
What NOT to Do
- Never use toothpaste — too abrasive
- Never use polishing dips on stones
- Never let silver touch chlorine
- Don’t scrub plated areas aggressively
Every RSNY piece uses hypoallergenic sterling silver and copper alloy with high-quality plating. Browse our collection.
