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By Jennifer Beck Goldblatt , Lindsey Mather , and Yelena Moroz Alpert
Your cherished silver heirlooms can appear bright and shiny, or dark and dull. Luckily the steps for how to clean silver are easy—and rewarding. It’s a task most people can do at home with only a few simple supplies, similar to those you would use to clean copper. After all, the heirloom teapot your grandmother gave you, the vintage candlesticks you picked up at the flea market, or your silver flatware for special occasions all deserve to look their best. This is especially true for when they’re front and center in your home or during your next big gathering, which is why it is so important to take care of them properly.
Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to put any silver pieces into the dishwasher, especially cutlery. Pete He, chief scientist at Dirty Labs doesn’t recommend washing silver or silver-plated utensils in the dishwasher. “The high temperatures and detergents can damage or tarnish the silver,” he says. “We recommend caring for precious metals by hand washing them and using a silver cleaner to clean them."
Steve Nelson, owner of Nelson & Nelson Antiques, in New York City, echoes this. “Why take the chance?” Many knife handles contain pitch, which connects the handle to the blade. It can soften with the heat of the dishwasher, causing the handle to twist. If this happens, a silversmith will be needed to restore the item.
We’ve compiled expert hacks for dealing with everything from discoloration on household items to silver-plated flatware to sterling silver jewelry with gemstones. Plus, the best ways to store silver that will keep it from tarnishing.
Try cleaning your small silver items with a mixture of common pantry items and aluminum foil.
There are dozens of DIY methods for cleaning silver using common pantry and household items. The cleaning method may vary depending on which piece you’re trying to restore. Experts swear by the white vinegar, salt, baking soda, and aluminum foil method. That’s because it’s a bit of a science experiment. When the ingredients are combined, tarnish (silver sulfide) is released from silver cutlery (or jewelry) and becomes aluminum sulfide on the foil.
Find a deep glass dish or bowl. Do not use stainless steel, which causes a chemical reaction that will result in black marks as you clean silver.
Line the container with aluminum foil, shiny side up, and place the silverware, necklaces, or other tarnished silver jewelry pieces on the bottom. Do not let them touch.
Pour boiling water into the container. You probably need 1 to 2 cups of hot water, the items should be submerged. Add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one tablespoon of salt.
Allow the silver items to sit in the baking soda water for at least 10 minutes; check that the silver touches the shiny side of the aluminum foil to activate the chemical reaction.
Alternatively, place silver items in a bowl with one cup of white vinegar and about four tablespoons of baking soda, and cover with warm water. Let sit for at least two hours.
Remove silver pieces and place them on a paper towel. Use a microfiber cloth to buff and dry the items.
Clean sterling silver immediately after use.
There are different techniques that will help you learn how to clean silver at home. Most importantly, clean sterling silver after use, as you would with any delicate tableware. This isn’t the time to leave your dinner party dishes until the next morning. Gently hand-wash your silver with unscented phosphate-free dish detergent soon after it leaves the table.
While washing, do not allow silver to come into contact with a stainless steel or metal sink, which can cause scratching, Herman says. Always be sure to line your sink with a plastic basin or a soft, clean cloth or towel.
Although adding ketchup (it’s the citric acid) to tarnished silver may work, professionals agree it is best to stick to more tried-and-true techniques. “We know inexpensive products like silver polish work well, so why risk damaging your items with other methods?” says Nelson.
If you’re not sure how to polish silver, follow the instructions on the label. Weiman Silver Polish and Cleaner, for instance, only requires that you rub the polish in with a soft cloth, rinse with warm water, and then buff away to prevent water spots. This product works great on heirloom pieces with crevices, which may not lend themselves to the baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil method.
If you do prefer to clean silver at home without a product, try this DIY method. To add shine and luster to your silver items, you can make a paste using cornstarch and water. “Create a thick paste and apply it to your silver, gently rubbing it in using a soft cloth,” says Prerna Jain, owner Ministry Of Cleaning in Melbourne, Australia. “The mild abrasive properties of cornstarch help polish the silver.” Rinse off the paste, dry the silver thoroughly, and buff it with a clean cloth for added shine.
Pure silver is too soft to use when crafting silverware, necklaces, and the like, so artisans use copper to make it more durable. But, over time, the copper can oxidize with sulfur and other environmental elements causing a chemical reaction that makes sterling silver discolor or tarnish. The longer a piece is exposed to these elements, the more tarnish will accumulate, making it more difficult to clean. This doesn’t hurt the piece, but many people prefer the aesthetics of a nice, shiny piece of silver.
You can bring your tarnished pieces back to life.
Whether it’s antique silver, a newer item, or even silver-plated jewelry, hand-polishing is the best way to go when it comes to dealing with heavy tarnish. Using quick chemical dips or a machine can dull or seriously damage the finish, says Jeanne Sloane, deputy chairman at Christie’s in New York City. No need for elbow grease here—you’ll want a light touch when working with sterling silver items to prevent scratches.
First, put on a pair of cotton gloves, as fingerprints can make tarnishing worse. Rub a thin layer of a low-abrasive, low-ammonia liquid or paste polish, like 3M’s Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, onto the piece with a dry cloth, cotton balls, or the sponge that comes with the product. Avoid paper towels, which can be abrasive. Instead of a circular motion, rub the item with small up-and-down strokes. Rinse off all traces of the polish with warm water, making sure there’s nothing left in the crevices, then dry the piece with a soft cotton cloth. Don’t leave it to air-dry, as that can leave unsightly watermarks.
Be careful if using a toothbrush, Nelson warns, as it can scratch the surface, causing major damage. A toothbrush can come in handy, however, if you’re trying to remove the polish residue that can sometimes become stuck in the crevices of more intricate designs. Nelson suggests lightly brushing the area in one direction with a bit of warm water until the polish is removed, then drying with a soft cloth.
Black marks that are difficult to remove from sterling silver tableware can be a sign that salt from the air or food has corroded the item. Resist the urge to rub harder to clean the item, which can damage it. Instead, look for a reputable silversmith who has the tools and know-how to deal with more substantial issues.
Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily want to overdo it when it comes to polishing sterling silver items. “More ornate and patterned pieces usually look best with a little darkness in the background,” Nelson says as a caution to DIY’ers. “The contrast makes the pattern more defined, which often looks nice.”
For a small bit of tarnish—if a piece only has a slight yellow discoloration or you’re just trying to give something a little luster—Nelson says gently buffing it with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a bit of dish soap is all you need to do. You can use a microfiber cloth if you like, but any soft, clean cloth will work, he says.
You can even use toothpaste to remove tarnish. Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids in Tennessee, says to rub in “regular white toothpaste” with your fingers or a soft cloth. “Let it dry and use a soft clean toothbrush and a rag to remove it,” he says. “Make sure all tools you use are soft, so definitely stay away from steel pads or hard-bristle brushes.”
Air is the enemy of silver, so storage is key in keeping your pieces tarnish free.
To prevent oxidation, proper storage is the way to go. The main culprit for tarnished silver is exposure to air, so wrap your silver in cloth and place it in a sealable plastic bag until you need it next. Cover flatware individually and arrange each piece side-by-side, says Jeffrey Herman, the owner of Herman Silver Restoration & Conservation in West Warwick, Rhode Island. For best results, use a treated flannel, like Pacific Silvercloth, or unbuffered acid-free tissue paper (felt or cotton fabric will also work). Avoid plastic wrap or rubber bands, which can cause discoloration that can be hard to remove.
Nelson is a fan of anti-tarnish sterling silver storage bags, such as the ones made by Hagerty. He suggests cleaning silver items by placing them in the bags and storing them inside a cabinet to help reduce air contact as much as possible. If you do this, your silver pieces should have a nice luster when you’re ready to take them out again.
Your home’s proximity to water, humidity, and other environmental elements can all lead to tarnished silver pieces. If you’d like an extra layer of protection, consider the above methods along with anti-tarnish strips. These inexpensive pieces of paper can be easily tucked into storage bags, jewelry boxes, and more to help absorb sulfides and other pollutants that cause sterling silver to tarnish.
Be aware that while salt does help with cleaning cast iron pots and pans, it can easily damage sterling silver. The longer salt and silver are in contact, the greater chance there is to have a corrosive reaction, which can permanently damage your item. If you’re serving a heavily salted dish or using a sterling silver salt shaker, it’s important to clean each piece thoroughly soon after use.
Although experts agree that cleaning silver is something that most people can do well at home, sometimes, it’s best to seek professional help. Keep in mind that while citric acid can be effective in dealing with oxidation and tarnish, it can damage opaque gemstones on your sterling silver jewelry. When in doubt, it is best to check with jewelers who know how to handle silver necklaces, rings, and earrings with soft stones, like opals, to ensure the item is restored without damage.
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