How to clean a tarnished silver chain

It is very common for silver chains to tarnish and lose their sparkle slightly over time. Sometimes it can happen out of the blue too, if your silver jewellery has been exposed to some sort of chemical such as chlorine, perfume or ingredients found in moisturising creams.

One of a kind ‘Heart of Gold’ necklace in silver from Narratorium

Larger pieces of silver jewellery can be brought back to life with silver polishing cream and a cloth, but this won’t work so well on a chain. The best way to restore your silver chain is actually to use something called a silver dip, such as the one from brand Talk Town. Here's the full process from start to finish:

What You'll Need:

• Talk Town silver dip (or another reputable brand)

• Shallow bowl or dish with warm water

• Washing up liquid (mild and gentle)

• Soft-bristled toothbrush

• Some kitchen roll

• Microfibre cloth or soft, lint-free cloth

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Set up the shallow bowl with some warm soap water with your kitchen roll to hand. Open up the Talk Town silver dip ready to be used.

Step 2: Follow the Talk Town Dip Instructions

Read and follow the specific instructions on your Talk Town silver dip bottle. Most dips will recommend submerging your silver for a very short period, typically a few minutes. Observe your chain closely - tarnish should begin to lift.

For heavily tarnished chains, extend the dipping time according to the product instructions, but monitor the piece closely to avoid over-cleaning.

Step 3: Rinse and Scrub

Once the tarnish is lifted, remove your chain from the dip and place it straight into the warm soapy water. If there are any stubborn spots, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a gentle touch and a small amount of dish soap to remove them. And then gently give the chain a little brush all over.

Step 4: Dry and Shine

Once you have finished washing your chain in the soapy water, place it on some kitchen roll to dry off. Once dry use a soft, lint-free cloth (microfibre is ideal) to gently dry your chain completely. Buffing the silver with the cloth will bring back its shine.

One of a kind necklace in silver inspired by the Japanese Zen symbol Enso, from Narratorium

some Additional Tips:

• For everyday maintenance, you can wash your silver chain with mild dish soap and warm water. Dry thoroughly after washing.

• Store your silver jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent tarnishing.

• Consider investing in a silver polishing cloth (impregnated with polishing compound) for regular buffing and maintenance.

Happy cleaning!

Emma x