Chemicals & Water
Strong chemicals, sulfur, sweat & perspiration, chlorine, and harsh sunlight can tarnish and corrode the shine in your silver.
Don't shower with your jewelry on, but if you forget to take it off, make sure to dry it with a clean towel after.
Take your silver off when going in the pool or chlorinated water. Chlorine is a harsh chemical, so if you forget to remove your silver jewelry, rinse and clean it afterward. The heat in a hot tub can accelerate the chemical reaction.
Sulfur in natural hot springs will antique your silver, so if you love the "dark oxidized" look, great! If not, take silver and copper off.
Chemicals in lotions and perfumes can also cause your jewelry to tarnish. Apply them first, let them dry, and then put your jewelry on.
Storage
Air exposure can tarnish your silver. so it's best not to leave it in an open jewelry chest. Store it in individual bags. Avoid putting pieces in the same bag, this can create tangling, scratching and tarnishing.
Silica gel packets provide anti-tarnish protection; save them for your jewelry box.
Take Your Jewelry Off
Preventative care is significantly easier than dealing with damaged or tarnished jewelry. Remove jewelry during the following times:
- When doing dishes, laundry, and when using cleaning supplies.
- When exercising, at the gym, or playing contact sports
- When showering or bathing
- Swimming, hot tubs, or saunas
- When lying in the sun
- When applying lotion, makeup, hair products, perfume, etc.
- When preparing food or cooking
- Outside tasks (gardening, mowing, etc.)
Polishing
Sterling Silver can be cared for using a simple polishing or microfiber cloth. Use long up-and-down strokes with different parts of the cloth to avoid spreading tarnish. Do not use a circular motion and be sure to avoid polishing any part of the jewelry that is intentionally oxidized.
