How to Care for Silver
For routine care, a quick wash in soapy water can be a sufficient way to keep silver shiny. Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing soap in warm water and gently wash silver pieces. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. In between cleanings, store silver in a cool, dry place to prevent excess tarnish.
How to Clean Silver
You can clean tarnished silver (even heavily tarnished pieces) with a simple homemade solution, and you likely already have all the ingredients that you need. Cleaning silver with a combination of aluminum foil, baking soda, and salt typically does the trick for both small and large silver pieces. Try these easy techniques to clean tarnished silver and watch grime wash away before your eyes.
What You Need
Aluminum foilPan or pot Boiling waterBaking sodaKosher saltSoft cloth
How to Clean Small Silver Items
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Line a pot or roasting pan with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil covers the entire surface.
Step 2: Add Water
Fill the pan with boiling water.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda and Kosher Salt
Add 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt to the water and stir. You should see bubbles form.
Step 4: Mix and Add Silver
Mix the solution, then carefully place silver pieces into the pan, ensuring the pieces don’t ram into one another or the sides of the pan.
Step 5: Let Cool and Dry
Let sit for up to five minutes and cool. Once cool, remove and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
How to Clean Large Silver Items
What You Need
Aluminum foilBoiling waterBaking sodaSaltSoft cloth
Step 1: Line Sink
Line your sink with foil. Again, make sure to cover the entire surface, including the edges.
Step 2: Add Water
Pour boiling water into the sink. Use enough water so your pieces will be fully submerged.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda and Water
Add one cup baking soda and one cup salt to the water. Stir the mixture. Bubbles will form.
Step 4: Add Silver and Soak
Place silver pieces in the solution. Allow silver pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Dry Silver
Remove items when cool and dry them off with a soft cloth. Your silver pieces should now be shinier and free of tarnish. They’re all set to use or display proudly, and you’ll never be left wondering how to clean silver again!
More Ways to Clean Silver
There are many home remedies for cleaning silver. As with any new cleaning method, you should test these techniques on an inconspicuous spot first before diving in.
1. Clean Silver with Vinegar
For a more vigorous silver polishing, incorporate the cleaning power of vinegar, too. This method works especially well for cleaning silverware. After lining your pan or sink with foil, add one tablespoon baking soda and one tablespoon kosher salt to the aluminum-lined dish. Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar into the dish and the mixture will begin to bubble. Add one to two cups boiling water (you’ll need enough liquid to completely submerge your silver pieces). Place pieces into the dish in a single layer. Soak lightly tarnished pieces for 30 seconds or up to three minutes for more heavily tarnished pieces. Remove items with tongs, dry, and buff.
2. Polish Silver with Ketchup
For extra sheen, try cleaning silver with ketchup. The condiment can be used as a paste to polish tarnished metals including brass and silver.
3. Remove Water Spots from Silver with Lemon
Lemon is an effective natural cleaner that can be used on silver, too. Remove water spots from silverware by dipping a microfiber cloth in a bit of concentrated lemon juice and polish away. When storing, keep silver in a dry, cool spot and give delicate pieces some space so they aren’t prone to running into one another.
4. Restore Shine with Toothpaste
Cleaning silver with toothpaste can produce sparkling results. Dilute toothpaste with a little water, polish the silver with a soft cloth, and rinse. Don’t use toothpaste on silver-plated items, as it can corrode the finish.
How to Clean Silver-Plated and Antique Silver Items
Knowing how to clean silver-plated items, such as silver necklaces, rings, and other jewelry, can be a little tricky. Because these pieces only have silver plated over the surface of another metal, vigorous cleaning or submerging items in a liquid solution, along with regular wear and tear, can cause flaking. Test methods in an inconspicuous spot before proceeding with a deep clean. And if your silver jewelry has gemstones or other embellishments, simply use a few drops of mild soap or even baby shampoo mixed into water to wipe down before storing. Use cotton swabs or a soft bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies. If you use a brush, use a light hand so you don’t unintentionally scratch the surface. For antique silver or pieces with a high value (whether real dollars or sentimental), you may want to consult with an antique dealer, jeweler, or professional restoration company before cleaning silver. A pro can give you pointers specific to your piece and the best advice for how to clean your silver.
How to Polish Silver
While the natural silver cleaning methods outlined above will help restore shine, you’ll also find plenty of commercial silver polish products online and in stores. Be sure to choose a cleaner that’s specifically intended to clean sterling silver or silver-plated items. Some are formulated for specialty applications, while others are more general purpose. Always read the instructions before using silver polish products and follow all instructions carefully. Knowing how to clean sterling silver, silver antiques, and silver jewelry isn’t something that takes hours to learn. Routine care, preventative maintenance, a simple silver cleaning method, and a little polishing will help keep your silver pieces shining for years to come.
