Can I clean silver jewelry with toothpaste or baking soda?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

It is better not to. Toothpaste and baking soda are abrasive, so they scratch silver and can rub through plating, and they can leave residue around stones. The safest home method for diamond jewelry is warm water, a little mild dish soap and a very soft brush. For heavy tarnish on plain silver, use a proper silver cloth.

What the sources say

Fact Jewelers Mutual, whose staff include GIA-trained gemmologists, says baking soda is abrasive and could scratch softer stones and metals, that an old toothbrush can carry toothpaste residue that scratches jewelry, and that the best homemade cleaner is a few drops of dish detergent in warm water, applied with a new, baby-size, soft toothbrush.

Fact GIA's care guidance for diamond jewelry is to clean it with warm water and mild soap and a soft brush, and to avoid harsh chemicals. IGI says to use a soft brush only and never sharp or hard objects to remove debris.

Why abrasives are a problem on silver

Our advice Silver is soft. A gritty paste removes tarnish by rubbing off a layer of metal, and it leaves tiny scratches that make the surface look dull, and then it tarnishes again faster. On rhodium-plated or other plated silver, abrasives can wear the plating through, leading to dark patches. Around stones, grit can lodge in the setting.

A safer routine

1. Mix warm (not hot) water with a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl.
2. Soak for a few minutes, then brush gently with a new, soft toothbrush, especially under the stone and inside the band.
3. Rinse in a clean bowl of lukewarm water, not under a running tap over an open drain.
4. Dry with a soft lint-free cloth, taking care not to snag prongs.
5. For light tarnish on plain silver, use a silver polishing cloth with light pressure.

When to see a jeweller

• Heavy tarnish or black patches.
• Plated pieces that look patchy.
• Stones that move.
• Pieces with other gemstones, antique pieces or oxidised finishes.

Uncertain Some trade guides describe a foil-and-baking-soda bath for tarnished solid silver. It is a chemical reaction rather than scrubbing, but it is not suitable for plated or stone-set pieces, and we do not recommend it as a routine.

It depends Which method suits you depends on the piece. For stone-set rings, mild soap and water is almost always the safest first step.

Related reading: Does 925 Sterling Silver Tarnish? Causes and Fixes · Caring for 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry with Lab Grown Diamond Settings

Sources

• Jewelers Mutual, Using a homemade jewelry cleaner? Avoid these 3
• GIA, Diamond care and cleaning
• IGI, Never do this with your jewelry

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.