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. Caring for your silver isn't difficult - but it can be time consuming and require attention to detail. While tarnishing will happen, regular silver cleanings can help slow down that process. Be especially careful with antique silver jewelry or flatware - certain methods can damage the silver during cleaning.

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.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed

Keep reading to learn the best methods for how to clean and polish silver.

• You have a wide choice in terms of what cleaning products to use. Some products you may already have around the house - others you may need to purchase.

(Creative Commons photo by Kirsten)

1. Clean initially after use with a gentle dishsoap.eHow Video: How to Clean and Polish Silver (Time: 1:07)

2. A popular paste cleaner like Goddard's is recommended for its nonabrasive qualities.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed

3. Hagerty's Silversmith Spray Polish is another popular cleaner.

4. For more resistant stains or tarnish, Wenol is a favorite.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed

5. You will also want a polishing cloth and/or a natural bristle brush to use with whatever product you choose.

1. Baking soda and tinfoil can clean silver,Lifehacker: Polish Silver with Baking Soda and Foil (July 23, 2007) but may be too abrasive for some items.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver

2. Toothpaste (in paste form, not gel) can work, but may be damaging, so be careful.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver

• To truly return silver's luster you'll need to polish it using the proper technique.

1. Use paste and a soft rag to gently rub and polish your pieces.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
2. You may want to moisten your cloth or sponge with the polish instead of putting polish directly on your silver.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
3. Rub gently, don't scrub, and polish in straight lines instead of circles.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
4. You might also use a natural bristle brush to get out stains or into hard-to-reach areas.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
   • But don't use a nylon bristle brush, which isn't gentle enough for silver.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
5. Products like Wenol are for more difficult-to-remove tarnish, though it's best to use them sparingly.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
6. After polishing, rinse your silver in warm water and dry with a soft cloth.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
7. Rinse thoroughly because silver polish doesn't taste good!eHow Video: How to Clean and Polish Silver (Time: 1:07)
8. Be sure to dry each piece completely, as water will leave marks.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver

1. Rinse jewelry in warm water and dryReal Simple: How to Clean Silver Jewelry (August 2002) before using a polishing cloth, or a dip such as Goddard's.Real Simple: A Guide to Polishing (November 2002)

2. Use a paste for jewelry with deeper stains or tarnish, or if there are hard-to-reach places.Real Simple: A Guide to Polishing (November 2002)

• 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.Instructables: Eco Silver Polishing
2. Or use white toothpaste (not gel) to clean silver with a cloth or sponge (not a toothbrush).WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
   • Skip the toothpaste on your jewelryReal Simple: How to Clean Silver Jewelry (August 2002) because it's too harsh for these items.Real Simple: A Guide to Polishing (November 2002)
   • If using toothpaste to clean, be sure to be very gentle and stop polishing if you see any damage.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
3. Once polished, simply rinse in warm water or with a damp cloth and dry using a soft towel.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver

• 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)

1. Clean silver right after use to reduce tarnish later.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
2. Rubber can corrode silver, so don't use rubber gloves when washing and don't leave pieces to dry on a rubber mat.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
3. Try to avoid contact with salt, which will corrode silver.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
4. Onions and vinegar may also damage your pieces.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver
5. Steel can mark silver, so do not store the two together.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
6. Some experts say it is all right to put silver in the dishwasher, but recommend washing knives by hand so blades remain intact.Martha Stewart: Polishing Silver with Ed
   • To be on the safe side skip the dishwasherWikiHow: How to Clean Silver and wash everything by hand.eHow Video: How to Clean and Polish Silver (Time: 1:07)
7. Keep unused items wrapped in acid-free paper, or unbleached cotton, inside a plastic bag.Real Simple: How to Polish Silver (November 2002)
8. Try not to serve eggs, as the sulfur in them will damage silver.Real Simple: How to Polish Silver (November 2002)
9. Avoid wearing silver jewelry in swimming pools or hot tubs because of the damaging properties of chlorine.Real Simple: How to Clean Silver Jewelry (August 2002)
10. And consider having highly valuable pieces professionally cleaned.WikiHow: How to Clean Silver

• 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.

• Goddard's

• Hagerty's

• Wenol

• Silver Storage at Amazon.com

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