How do I clean my jewellery at home?

April 8, 2026

After more than a decade working with solid gold and sterling silver, I've learned that the best jewellery care is simple, consistent, and only takes a couple of minutes. Cleaning your jewellery at home is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your pieces looking as beautiful as the day you first wore them. And yet it's something most people either never do, or do too infrequently. I've seen what a difference regular, simple care makes and the good news is - It couldn't be easier!

Here's everything you need to know about cleaning your solid gold and sterling silver jewellery at home - safely, effectively, and without spending a penny on specialist equipment. It's exactly what I do - and what I recommend to everyone who buys a piece of MUKA jewellery.

What You'll Need

For the vast majority of cleaning jobs on solid gold and sterling silver jewellery, you only need three things:

Method 1 - For Regular Maintenance

Warm Water & Mild Soap

The simplest and most effective everyday cleaning method for both solid gold and sterling silver. All you need is a bowl of warm (not hot) water, a few drops of mild washing-up liquid, and a soft toothbrush or cloth.

Fill a small bowl with warm water and add 2–3 drops of mild washing-up liquid.
Place your jewellery in the bowl and leave to soak for 5–10 minutes.
Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush - paying attention to any settings, grooves, or textured areas where dirt and grime can get build up.
Rinse thoroughly under warm water.
Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and leave to air dry completely before storing.

This method is safe for solid gold and sterling silver worn regularly. Do this once a week or fortnight and you'll rarely need anything more.

Method 2 - For Tarnished Silver

A Jewellery Polishing Cloth

If your sterling silver has developed a dull or darkened appearance (known as tarnish) then a specialist jewellery polishing cloth is the quickest and safest way to restore its shine. These are inexpensive, reusable, and available here from MUKA.

Make sure the piece is dry before you begin.
Using the polishing cloth, gently rub the surface of the silver in smooth, back-and-forth strokes - not circular ones, which can create micro-scratches.
You'll notice the cloth darkening as it lifts the tarnish, this is completely normal.
Continue until the shine is restored, then buff gently with the clean side of the cloth.

A polishing cloth is particularly good for pieces with a smooth finish but it can be difficult to get into any recessed areas of texture using a cloth, that's where the next method comes in.

Method 3 - Deep Clean

Liquid Jewellery Cleaner

For pieces that have a thicker layer of tarnish or are textured / have lots of hard to reach areas, a jewellery cleaning solution is a miracle worker!

Follow the instructions on your chosen cleaner - most involve soaking the piece briefly then gently scrubbing with the included brush.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove all traces of the cleaner.
Dry completely with a soft cloth before storing.

Always make sure the cleaner is suitable for your specific metal. Avoid multi-purpose cleaners that aren't designed specifically for precious metals as they can cause more harm than good and be don't put any jewellery with gemstones into the cleaner unless the cleaner is suitable for that particular gemstone. Pearls and opals for example, should never be put into jewellery cleaner as this will damage them.

Gold vs Silver - Any Difference in Care?

Solid Gold

Solid gold is the lower-maintenance of the two. It doesn't tarnish, and warm soapy water is usually all you'll ever need. Clean regularly to remove the natural buildup of skin oils, lotions and daily grime, and your gold will keep its warm glow indefinitely.

Avoid harsh chemicals, chlorine (swimming pools), and abrasive materials. Other than that, gold is remarkably forgiving.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver requires a little more attention because it naturally tarnishes over time - this is a normal chemical reaction, not a sign of poor quality. Regular cleaning with warm soapy water slows tarnishing, while a polishing cloth quickly reverses it when it does appear.

Store silver in an airtight pouch or bag when not wearing it - this dramatically slows the tarnishing process by limiting contact with air moisture.

The Do's & Don'ts of Cleaning Jewellery at Home

✓ Do

Use warm water and mild washing-up liquid
Use a soft toothbrush for detailed areas
Dry completely before storing
Use a polishing cloth on tarnished silver
Store silver in an airtight bag or pouch
Remove jewellery before bed, exercise and swimming
Never place gemstones into cleaning solution without checking if it is suitable

✕ Don't

Use toothpaste - it's too abrasive
Use bleach or household cleaning products
Wear jewellery in chlorinated water
Apply perfume or hairspray directly onto pieces
Store pieces loose together where they can scratch
Use boiling water - warm is always safer, especially where gemstones are involved.

The most common reason jewellery loses its sparkle isn't damage, it's simply a buildup of the everyday things. Lotion, soap residue, skin oils. A gentle clean once a week and it looks brand new.

How Often Should You Clean Your Jewellery?

For pieces you wear every day - rings, earrings, a favourite necklace, a quick clean with warm soapy water once a week is ideal. It takes less than five minutes and makes a huge difference to how the piece looks and feels.

For pieces worn occasionally, clean them before you wear them and again before putting them away. If you're storing sterling silver for a longer period, give it a clean first, dry it thoroughly, and pop it in an airtight bag. It'll come out looking just as good as when it went in.

Common Jewellery Cleaning Questions

Can I wear my MUKA jewellery in the shower?

Yes! All MUKA pieces are absolutely fine to wear in the shower.

Can I use toothpaste to clean silver jewellery?

I'd recommend avoiding it. Toothpaste is abrasive enough to cause micro-scratches on silver surfaces, dulling the finish over time. A soft cloth and mild soap or a jewellery polishing cloth will always give better results without the risk.

My silver jewellery has gone completely black - can it be saved?

Almost certainly yes. Heavy tarnish can look alarming but it's purely surface-level. A specialist silver cleaning solution or a good polishing cloth will restore it in most cases. However, If you are worried you can send it in to me and I will professionally clean it for you. Just get in touch here.

How do I clean the textured hammered finish on my Muka rings?

Use a soft toothbrush with warm soapy water to work into the textured surface, then rinse and dry thoroughly. For deeper dirt and tarnish, a jewellery cleaning solution will work perfectly.

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