You can easily keep your silver looking great by using the right materials at home. Many silver items like jewelry, coins, candlesticks, lamps, antiques, and dining sets including serveware, dinnerware, silverware, and drinkware may need cleaning.
Most silver items are made from sterling silver, which is a mix of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals like copper. This mix makes the silver stronger and more durable, but it also makes it tarnish more easily. Because of this, some silver items may need frequent cleaning. Learning to clean your silver at home will make it easier and more convenient to keep your silver looking good.
While many silver items at home can be cleaned with baking soda, some should not be. Rare silver antiques, for example, should not be cleaned with baking soda unless you consult an expert first. These pieces could be very valuable, and cleaning them might lower their value. These collectibles develop unique discolorations, known as a patina, over time. This patina is highly valued by some collectors because it shows the piece’s authenticity and age. It’s best to ask a professional who specializes in the type of silver antique you have before cleaning.
Cleaning Silver With Baking Soda
Materials
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Soft cloth
- Large container to hold silver item
Option #1
To clean silver with baking soda, first gather your materials: baking soda, hot water, a soft cloth, and a large container. Mix the baking soda with hot water in the container. Soak the silver in this mixture until the tarnish disappears. Then, take out the silver, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a soft cloth.
Option #2
To clean large silver items that can’t be soaked, you’ll need baking soda, hot water, and a soft cloth. First, mix baking soda with water to make a paste. Then, put the paste on a soft cloth and gently wipe the silver to remove tarnish. After that, rinse the silver with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Cleaning Silver With Baking Soda And Vinegar
Materials
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Hot water
- Soft cloth
- Large container to hold silver item
Steps
To clean silver with baking soda and vinegar, gather your ingredients: baking soda, vinegar, optional salt, hot water, a soft cloth, and a large container. Mix the baking soda and hot water in the container, then soak the silver in it. Adding salt can boost the effectiveness, but it’s not necessary. Next, add vinegar to enhance the cleaning reaction. Once the tarnish is gone, remove the silver, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a soft cloth.
Cleaning Silver With Baking Soda And Aluminum Foil
Materials
- Baking soda
- Aluminum foil
- Hot water
- Soft cloth
- Large container to hold silver item
Steps
To clean silver with baking soda and aluminum foil, first gather your supplies: baking soda, aluminum foil, hot water, a soft cloth, and a large container. Line the container with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water and baking soda. Soak the silver in this mixture until all the tarnish is removed. Afterwards, remove the silver, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a soft cloth.
FAQs
How often should you clean silver?
The rate at which your silver tarnishes depends on various factors, such as how you store it and what it’s exposed to. Storing your silver in anti-tarnish cloth will slow down tarnishing, meaning you won’t need to clean it as often. Silver tarnishes quickly when exposed to sulfur, so avoid contact with rubber bands and other rubber products. Proper storage and care can reduce the frequency of cleaning your silver.
How do you know if silver needs to be cleaned?
Silver tarnish occurs when oxidation forms on the metal’s surface, giving it a dull, dark gray or black look. Tarnish is easy to spot, so you can clean it as soon as you see it. Some silver decor items may look better with a patina, so these don’t need frequent cleaning. However, items like silver dining sets should be cleaned before and after each use to keep them tarnish-free.
Can you damage silver by cleaning it at home?
You can damage silver by cleaning it with strong chemical cleaners. These cleaners, often sold as silver polish or silver cleaner, are good at removing tarnish but their harsh ingredients can dull the shiny surface. Avoid scrubbing silver with abrasive tools like wire brushes or steel wool, as these can scratch and damage the silver. Silver-plated items should be cleaned very gently because strong cleaners can strip away the silver plating.