How to Clean Silver

Guide Note

Cleaning silver will involve polish, a soft cloth, and a little hard work. Once you master the proper technique you'll truly be satisfied with the shine your silver takes on, reminding you why you enjoy using it, or wearing it, in the first place.

Table of Contents

Cleaning Silver Tips

  1. Use a well-known cleaner that isn't too abrasive for your special pieces.
  2. Don't clean wearing rubber gloves, and don't leave it to dry on a rubber mat, both of which can corrode silver.
  3. Polish in straight lines, not circles, and don't rub too hard.
  4. For an eco-friendly way to polish, try boiling silver with baking soda and tinfoil.
    • Be aware that this method might be too abrasive for delicate pieces.
  5. Store silver in acid-free tissue paper or cotton muslin to avoid tarnishing.

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Ximena del Campo)
(Creative Commons photo by Ximena del Campo)
  • Silver is often passed down through generations and brought out for special occasions, like Thanksgiving dinner or an important dinner party. Many also prefer silver jewelry to gold or platinum, though it requires a bit more diligence to keep silver rings and bracelets looking lustrous. Quick to tarnish, silver can start to look dirty and even black if left untreated. Every so often, you'll need to take the time and elbow grease to restore its shine and patina.1
  • Keep reading to learn the best methods for cleaning and polishing.

What You'll Need

  • You have a wide choice in terms of what cleaning products to use.
(Creative Commons photo by Kirsten)
(Creative Commons photo by Kirsten)

Basic Cleaning Products

  1. Clean initially after use with a gentle dishsoap.2
  2. A popular paste cleaner like Goddard's is recommended for its nonabrasive qualities.1
  3. Hagerty's Silversmith Spray Polish is another popular cleaner.
  4. For more resistant stains or tarnish, Wenol is a favorite.1
  5. You will also want a polishing cloth and/or a natural bristle brush to use with whatever product you choose.

Household Items

  1. Baking soda and tinfoil can clean silver,3 but may be too abrasive for some items.4
  2. Toothpaste (in paste form, not gel) can work, but may be damaging, so be careful.4

Use Proper Polishing Technique

  • To truly return silver's luster you'll need to polish it using the proper technique.
(Creative Commons photo by Jonny Hunter)
(Creative Commons photo by Jonny Hunter)

Silverware and Silver Serving Pieces

  1. Use paste and a soft rag to gently rub and polish your pieces.1
  2. You may want to moisten your cloth or sponge with the polish instead of putting polish directly on your silver.4
  3. Rub gently, don't scrub, and polish in straight lines instead of circles.4
  4. You might also use a natural bristle brush to get out stains or into hard-to-reach areas.1
  5. Products like Wenol are for more difficult-to-remove tarnish, though it's best to use them sparingly.1
  6. After polishing, rinse your silver in warm water and dry with a soft cloth.4
  7. Rinse thoroughly because silver polish doesn't taste good!2
  8. Be sure to dry each piece completely, as water will leave marks.4

Silver Jewelry

  1. Rinse jewelry in warm water and dry5 before using a polishing cloth, or a dip such as Goddard's.6
  2. Use a paste for jewelry with deeper stains or tarnish, or if there are hard-to-reach places.6

Alternative Methods

  • To save money and to avoid potentially toxic cleaners, you might try these methods using items you likely have in your kitchen.
  1. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a small square of foil to water in a pot large enough to hold your silver. Then boil for a few minutes, or until silver starts to look clean.7
  2. Or use white toothpaste (not gel) to clean silver with a cloth or sponge (not a toothbrush).4
  3. Once polished, simply rinse in warm water or with a damp cloth and dry using a soft towel.4

Tips to Keep Silver Clean

  • Once you've put in the necessary efforts to polish your silver, you'll want to use these tips to keep it clean.
(Photo by Paul Birnstihl)
(Photo by Paul Birnstihl)
  1. Clean silver right after use to reduce tarnish later.4
  2. Rubber can corrode silver, so don't use rubber gloves when washing and don't leave pieces to dry on a rubber mat.4
  3. Try to avoid contact with salt, which will corrode silver.1
  4. Onions and vinegar may also damage your pieces.4
  5. Steel can mark silver, so do not store the two together.1
  6. Some experts say it is all right to put silver in the dishwasher, but recommend washing knives by hand so blades remain intact.1
  7. Keep unused items wrapped in acid-free paper, or unbleached cotton, inside a plastic bag.8
  8. Try not to serve eggs, as the sulfur in them will damage silver.8
  9. Avoid wearing silver jewelry in swimming pools or hot tubs because of the damaging properties of chlorine.5
  10. And consider having highly valuable pieces professionally cleaned.4

Conclusion

  • With a little diligence, your pieces will be sparkling yet again, ready for use at your next special occasion. If you store them properly you may not need to polish as often, either. Whether you are wearing a family heirloom or serving on one, take good care of your silver so you can keep passing it down.

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References for How to Clean Silver

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 eHow Video: How to Clean and Polish Silver (Time: 1:07)
  3. ↑ Lifehacker: Polish Silver with Baking Soda and Foil (July 23, 2007)
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Real Simple: How to Clean Silver Jewelry (August 2002)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Real Simple: A Guide to Polishing (November 2002)
  7. ↑ Instructables: Eco Silver Polishing
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Real Simple: How to Polish Silver (November 2002)

Cleaning Products



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