- 1). Lay a towel or soft piece of fabric on a flat surface. Make sure the fabric you choose does not easily shed its fibers.
- 2). Make a paste from 1 tbs. of baking soda and 2 tsp. of water in a small container, glass, jar, or bowl.
- 3). Dip a toothbrush into the paste and rub it onto the sterling silver in a circular motion. Make sure you do not touch the opals with the solution, only the silver.
- 4). Take a soft, damp cotton cloth or microfiber towel and rub all of the baking soda paste off the sterling silver. Do not submerge the jewelry in water, and try not to get the opals wet.
- 5). Mix together a solution of one part nonabrasive jewelry cleaner with one part water in a small container. Use a soft cloth to rub this onto the silver in a circular motion, avoiding contact with the opals. You only need to do this if using baking soda doesn't work, or if you want to polish the silver more.
- 6). Lay the silver on the fabric-covered surface and let it air dry.
- 7). Take a piece of silk or a soft, cotton facial tissue and gently rub the opals in a circular motion. Do not use any water, cleaners, baking soda, or toothpaste to clean the opals.
- 8). Make a solution of two parts lukewarm water to one part mild hand soap. Dip a very soft toothbrush into the solution, such as a toddler or baby toothbrush, and gently rub the opals in a circular motion. Do this in the event that you cannot sufficiently clean your opals with a tissue or silk.
- 9). Wipe the opals clean of the soapy solution with a moist facial tissue. Lay the jewelry on the fabric-covered surface to air dry.
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