Seven Effective Tricks to Clean Silver at Home

Today we're going to give you some tricks to clean silver at home. You won't just prevent tarnishing but will also save a lot of money while restoring their original shine. We recommend cleaning them lightly once a month.

Some home tricks can be effective to clean silver, especially old objects, which darken over time due to exposure to dust and other environmental agents.

Currently, there are decorative elements in silver that hardly tarnish because they’re made in a rhodium galvanizing process. And although this material does not oxidize, it does undergo a reaction with hydrogen sulfide, which makes it more opaque.

Luckily, in addition to having the possibility of polishing them with the glitters that are sold in the market, you can also improve their appearance with some homemade tricks. Do you want to learn them?

Basic silver care

Before putting into practice our tips to clean silver at home, we want to highlight some basic care to prevent its deterioration. Firstly, you shouldn’t pile up your jewelry or silver objects, as this can cause scratches or imperfections.

Also, try to clean and dry them well after each use (especially if they are crockery or cutlery). Furthermore, use mild soaps and cotton cloth. Avoid all abrasive sponges.

In addition, jewelry, containers, and crockery should be kept away from possible concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. For example, you shouldn’t leave fruit in silver trays or dishes, as its decomposition can deteriorate the item in this way.

How to clean silver at home: 7 tricks that can help

Have you found it impossible to remove that opaque aspect in your silver objects? Then try one of the tricks that we’ll share below to clean silver at home, without having to send them to a jewelry store or spend money on polishes.

Keep in mind that they come from popular culture and, because of this, there isn’t any evidence to prove their effectiveness. However, as they are safe methods to apply, it won’t be a problem to try them out since they won’t harm your silverware.

1. Saltwater

You can use a simple saltwater solution can to clean smaller items like chains and other jewelry.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp salt (10 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

What should you do?

• Firstly, combine the salt with one cup of boiling water and allow your silver items to soak overnight.
• Secondly, in the morning, discard the liquid and polish the metal with a dry cloth.

2. Baking soda and vinegar

The combination of baking soda and white vinegar is one of the most practical cleaning mixtures to polish all kinds of things around the home. Their properties remove the tarnish that covers silver items and leaves them clean and shining just like new.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp baking soda (10 g)
• ¼ c. white vinegar (62 ml)

What should you do?

• Firstly, slowly pour the baking soda into the vinegar (it will start to fizz).
• Once the baking soda is completely dissolved, dip the silver in and scrub it with a clean cloth.
• Finally, finish by polishing it with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat the process if necessary.

3. Toothpaste

This is one of the many alternative uses for toothpaste. It makes a great polish for silver and other metal objects.

Ingredients

• Toothpaste (as needed)
• Hot water
• Mild soap

What should you do?

• Firstly, wash the object to be polished in hot water with mild soap and rub it with a liberal amount of toothpaste.
• Then, after polishing for 5 minutes, rinse and dry well with an absorbent cloth.

4. Cream of tartar

Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) is also excellent for cleaning silver, but it’s not very well known. It can work wonders for removing dust, as it removes the dust, removes the opaqueness, and will leave the metal with an incredible shine.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp cream of tartar (15 g)
• A tsp of salt (5 g)
• 1 liter of water (2 pints)

What should you do?

• Combine the cream of tartar, salt, and water in a saucepan.
• Then, mix everything well and set over medium-low heat.
• Once boiling, add the silver and let it sit in the boiling mixture for 5 minutes.
• Afterward, take out the metal and let it cool before polishing with a dry cloth.

5. Aluminum foil

Ingredients

• Aluminum foil (as needed)
• Hot water
• 1 tbsp salt (10 g)

Directions

• Firstly, take a large sheet of aluminum foil and use it to line the inside of a large bowl.
• Secondly, fill the bowl with hot water and add the salt.
• Then, submerge your silver items and let them soak for 10 minutes.
• Finally, dry and polish them with a soft cloth to leave them shining like new.

6. Banana peel

In this case, you’ll use the inner part of the banana peel, which is what’ll help you remove dirt from metal objects.

You just have to take a fresh banana peel and use it to polish your silver. Use it to polish whatever object you’d like. You may need to repeat the process several times with a few different banana peels.

7. Lemon with salt

This citrus has many uses around the home. It’s great for cleaning and restoring silver.

Ingredients

• One lemon or lime
• A tsp of salt (5 g)

What should you do?

• Cut the lime in half, dip it in the salt and use it to polish the surface of the metal.
• Let it work for a few minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.

Be careful with your hands and your silver objects

We advise you to use gloves when applying these homemade tricks to clean silver at home, in order to protect your hands and not scratch the objects with your nails, or if you wear any rings.

Also, locate yourself in a place with good ventilation and good lighting to avoid odors and vapors (for example, when using vinegar with baking soda) and work well.

Also, remember that when you polish the objects, place them on a cloth or a soft surface so that they don’t get bumped or scratched. Finally, try to repeat the cleaning at least once a month so that your silverware shines all the time.