How to Clean a Rusty Chain

Jewelry that is rusted or oxidized will be dull, not as beautiful as when it was new. The reddish-brown, peeling rust layer often appears on fashion jewelry, while the oxidation layer that creates the translucent layer often occurs in silver jewelry. You can clean rusted or oxidized necklaces with something you already have around the house to make your necklace shiny again.

Table of Contents

Wash with vinegar

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Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar into a bowl. White vinegar is a natural cleaner that is acidic but not strong enough to damage the necklace. Pour some vinegar into a bowl or dish large enough to soak the necklace. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can buy white vinegar at most grocery stores.
Vinegar does not damage fashion jewelry but can damage any precious metal or gem.
Vinegar is very good at cleaning rust but not very effective with the oxidation layer.

Soak the necklace in vinegar. Make sure all parts of the chain are soaked in vinegar, especially the rusty parts. If necessary, add more vinegar to completely submerge. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Soak for about 8 hours. You need to give the vinegar time to loosen the rust on the chain. Leave the bowl of vinegar neatly in place overnight and check the next morning. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Careful: Do not place the bowl of vinegar directly in the sun so that the vinegar does not get hot.

Scrub the rust with a toothbrush. Remove the necklace from the vinegar and place on a towel. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the chain until clean. If the chain is heavily rusted, you need to soak for another 1-2 hours. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

A soft toothbrush will not scratch the chain.

Rinse the chain with cool water. Make sure to rinse off the vinegar so it doesn’t damage the chain parts. Concentrate on thoroughly washing areas that are heavily rusted. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Cool water is gentler on jewelry than warm water.

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Use a soft cloth to dry the chain. Be sure to wait for the necklace to dry completely before you put it on or store it, as it can rust again if it’s wet. Use a soft cloth so as not to scratch the jewelry. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Use dish soap

Mix 2 drops of dishwashing liquid in a cup of warm water (240 ml). Pour warm water into a small bowl and add a little mild dish soap. Try to find a colorless, fragrance-free soap to protect the surface of the necklace. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Tip: Dishwashing liquid is a gentle soap for jewelry and does not cause chemical reactions. This is the best method for a chain that is not too oxidized or for a plating line instead of a pure one.

Use your fingers to rub the chain in soapy water. Immerse the chain in water until completely submerged. Gently scrub the chain and the face of the chain to remove rust and dullness. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Scrub with your hands is gentler than using a cloth or sponge, which can scratch delicate jewelry.

Wash the chain with warm water. Make sure there is no soap left on the chain to avoid the formation of dark spots. Use warm water to wash off the faded parts. ^{[9] X Research Source}

When dish soap dries, it will create speckles on the chain.

Use baking soda and salt

Line foil in the lap of a small bowl. Leave the light side of the foil on top. Choose a bowl that can hold 1 cup (240 ml) of solution. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The foil creates an electrolytic reaction that removes oxidation and rust on the chain.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda and 1 tablespoon (15 g) of table salt in warm water. Heat 1 cup (240 ml) in the microwave until hot but not boiling. Pour water into a bowl lined with foil, then stir in the baking soda and salt until completely dissolved. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Baking soda is a natural cleaner and is mildly corrosive. It can clean tarnish on gold and silver surfaces as well as clean rust on steel or fashion jewelry.

Soak the necklace in the solution contained in the foil-wrapped bowl. Be careful when dropping the necklace into the bowl, as the water is still hot now. Make sure the chain reaches the bottom of the bowl so it makes contact with the foil. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Soak for about 2-10 minutes. Depending on the condition of the chain’s rust or tarnish, you may need to soak for a full 10 minutes. You can see small bubbles forming on the chain indicating that the chemical reaction is cleaning the rust. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If your chain doesn’t rust too much, you can take it out in 2-3 minutes.

Wash the chain with cold water. Use tongs to remove the chain from the hot water and rinse with cold water in the sink. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the salt and baking soda so they don’t stay on the chain for a long time. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Tip: You can pour a solution of baking soda and salt down the drain.

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Blot the chain dry with a clean cloth. Spread the necklace over the piece of fabric and fold it over to gently pat dry. Let the necklace dry for 1 hour before storing to prevent rust, or wear the necklace right away to enjoy its new shine. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Rust will appear on the chain when left in a humid environment.

Things you need

Wash with vinegar

Bowl
Distilled white vinegar
Soft brush or toothbrush
Soft cloth

Use dish soap

Small bowl
Dish soap
Soft cloth

Use baking soda and salt

Silver paper
Baking soda
Salt
Microwave oven
Soft cloth

Warning

Never wash jewelry with gems or pearls attached. Cleaning solutions can damage gems and pearls.

Steps

Wash with vinegar

Use dish soap

Use baking soda and salt

Things you need

Wash with vinegar

Use dish soap

Use baking soda and salt

Warning

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