Want to learn how to clean silver? Silverware is a beautiful addition to any home, however over time it can lose its shine and look a little dull. Cleaning silver in the following way will help to remove the yellow to brown silver sulfide tarnish that naturally builds up as time goes by.
How to clean silver
If your silver is missing its shine, buff it up using a polish specifically designed for silver and a cotton ball or cotton polishing pad to revive its shine. Follow this by rinsing the silver polish off with water and dry with a soft clean cloth.
How to clean tarnished silver
- If your silver is tarnished with a yellow or brown tinge start the cleaning process by washing it in warm soapy water to remove any grease and dirt, using phosphate-free detergent.
- Next remove any non-silver attachments and place the silver in a large pot lined with aluminum foil, shiny side up.
- Mix up a solution of two pints boiling water to a quarter cup of baking soda and two teaspoons of salt, then pour it over the silver.
- Wait for 10 seconds while the chemical reaction removes the silver sulfide from the silver. If the silver is very tarnished you can keep it in the solution for upto 5 minutes.
- Remove the silver from the solution using tongs, rinse with cold water and use a soft clean cloth to dry and buff the silver until it is shining.
- If the silverware has holes in it, thoroughly rinse out the hollows and dry them, as any leftover solution may eventually corrode the silver.
- You can follow by using a little silver polish and a cotton polishing pad to buff and add extra sparkle to your silver.
- Cleaning valuable silver and heirlooms
If you have very valuable silver, we recommend consulting an expert to clean your silver to avoid the risk of damaging it with abrasive cleaners.
Care guides for cleaning silver and storing it
- Never put silver in the dishwasher. The high temperature could warp the silver and other items could scratch it.
- Use acid-free tissue or paper towels to wrap your silver ready for storage. Never use plastic wrap as it discolours silver.
-
8 rules for organised, clutter-free corner cupboards in a small kitchen – endorsed by kitchen expertsProfessional organisers explain how to make the most of corner cabinets in a small kitchen
-
Of the 50 pillows I've tested, the Tempur Cloud is the most expensive. I slept on it for two weeks to see if it's worth the £149 investmentI put the Tempur Cloud SmartCool Pillow to the test to see if it's worth the high price tag
-
These are the 3 living room colours out of style in 2025- and the new shades replacing themDon't redecorate your living room without checking what colours we're saying goodbye to this year
