How to Clean Tarnished Silver at Home

tarnished silver cover

Silver has this unfortunate habit to tarnish.
We all don’t like to see it become black or loses it’s bright color. 
Today we will explore together some DIY ways to clean your silver stuff at home as:
-silverware
-jewelry
-flatware
-tea set etc…
Are you ready to begin? So… Let’s go!

Cleaning tips for silver

Before we begin, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Consider having your valuable jewelry or other silver items appraised by a professional. That might not be the first thing you want to try your hand at.
  • Silver flatware and other silver items should not be washed in the dishwasher. It’s tempting, but it usually makes the tarnish worse—this is one occasion when hand washing is recommended.
  • Abrasive items, such as bristle brushes (and certainly no scouring pads!) should be avoided.
  • Bleach or chlorine are abrasive cleaners to avoid.
  • Take note of the gems. There may be some procedures that aren’t recommended if your silver is studded with gemstones.
  • Keep them away from recipes that call for lemon juice in particular.
  • The majority of these techniques entail the use of bowls. If at all possible, use glass bowls (with the exception of dealing with hot water).
  • We don’t want to react chemically with other metals, such as stainless steel.
  • A couple of gentle cleaning cloths are required for each approach (microfiber, or 100 percent cotton flannel). Make sure you have at least one!
    And, because it’s not an intuitive rule, it’s worth repeating: use store-bought silver cleaners sparingly (if at all), especially if you’re dealing with old silver.

Rinse a cloth with warm water after it has been dampened. To protect your hands from the polish, put on the nitrile gloves.

Use the amount of silver polish specified on the package to apply to the sponge. Using straight, steady strokes, wipe the inside of the tarnished silver teapot and pitcher.

Rinse the sponge with water and wring it out as the tarnish transfers and collects. As needed, apply more polish until the tarnish is completely gone.

To remove any traces of polish residue, thoroughly rinse the teapot and pitcher with warm water.

With a soft towel, dry the teapot and pitcher inside and out and polish them to a sheen.

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How to clean silver at home

Without further ado, here are some of our favorite do-it-yourself hacks.

1. Dish soap

Roll up your sleeves if your silver forks are only slightly tarnished. This straightforward strategy may be all you want.

You’ll need the following items:

  • Soap for dishes (Yep, think something classic, like Dawn)
    A huge basin or a sink
  • 2 sanitizing cloths (microfiber, or even just old 100 percent cotton shirts)
  • a bath in warm water

In a basin (or bowl) of warm water, combine a few drops of dish soap. Dip one delicate cloth into the mixture and carefully massage the tarnish away from your silver until it shines. Rinse with cold water, then dry and buff with the second soft cloth until it shines brightly.

2. Cornstarch

Look no farther if you’re seeking for a simple spot treatment.

You’ll need the following items:

Water with corn starch
Soft cleaning cloth and a bowl (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)

To make a thick paste, use 2 parts water and 1 part cornstarch.
Apply the paste all over your silver with a gentle, damp towel, focusing on the tarnished areas.
Allow for complete drying (about 15 minutes).
Rub off the dry paste with your damp towel, then buff the surface with your dry cloth to make it all bright and polished.

3. Cream of tartar

Use the same directions as before, except instead of cornstarch, use cream of tartar. In this scenario, 3 parts water and 1 part cream of tartar might be used.

4. Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal has grown very popular, and it’s easy to see why: it’s really adaptable. It’s possible that it’ll make your silver shine even brighter than your teeth in this situation.

You’ll need the following items:

  • Water Activated Charcoal
    A bowl made of glass (or other nonmetallic material).
  • a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
    In a glass bowl, combine 1 part activated charcoal and 1 part water to make a paste.
  • Then gently massage the tarnished silver with a delicate cloth dipped in your new solution until you see results. After that, just rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth.

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5. Soda with lemon and lime

This is the simplest approach, however it is not the quickest.
The majority of this is simply letting it sit.
Do not use this procedure if you have gemstones (especially opaque ones like pearls), as citric acid is harsh on them.

You’ll need the following items:

  • Soda with lemon and lime
  • a large basin or bowl
  • a plush towel
    Fill the dish or basin with lemon-lime soda.
  • Then, in the bowl or basin, place your silver.
    Wait for an hour. Simply rise your silver and dry it with a soft cloth… that’s all there is to it.

6. Lemon juice and dry milk bath

Citric acid is a superfood. The sort found in lemons contains a natural chelating agent, which traps (and eliminates) heavy metal ions. It’s especially good at eliminating oxidation from silver. Simply grab some dry milk and give it a shot. If you have opaque gemstones, don’t utilize this procedure.

You’ll need the following items:

2 tblsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup instant powdered milk
3 quarts water
1 big mixing bowl
In a mixing dish, combine all components (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel). Soak your silver in water for at least an hour. Rinse with cold water and dry with a soft microfiber or cotton flannel cloth when you get up in the morning. Simply double (or double!) the amount of silver if you have larger pieces.

7. Lemon juice and olive oil

tarnish silver flatware

Although it may appear that you’re making a simple dressing, the grime-fighting properties of lemon juice make this combination quite powerful.

You’ll need the following items:

a quarter-cup of lemon juice

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large glass bowl (or other suitable surface)

2 sanitizing cloths (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)

Combine the olive oil and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Using one of the cleaning cloths, wet it with the mixture.
Start polishing the silver after wringing it out.
When you’re finished, rinse with cold water and dry with the other soft cleaning cloth.

8. Ketchup

Okay, that’s OK. I’m sure you’re thinking something along those lines. This one makes me feel a little icky. That may be true, but it is also effective, and it smells a lot better than store-bought silver cleaners. The acid in tomatoes reacts with the oxidation on the tarnished silver, making it work.

You’ll need the following items:

Ketchup
a huge tray or plate (nonmetal is best)
a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
a stale toothbrush (optional)
Pour ketchup onto a plate first. Using an old toothbrush or your hands, saturate the silver with ketchup and massage it all over it. Allow for a 10-minute rest period. Simply rinsing the silverware with warm water and buffing it with a soft rag is all that is required.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0shVdF4MX0

9. Window cleaner

It’s time for another quickie. The number one adversary of filth is the window cleaner. However, this approach should not be used on antique silver or jewelry with diamonds since it may be too harsh.

You’ll need the following items:

Window washer (you can even DIY it)
a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
Simply hold your silver in your hand and spray it like a window. Instead of using a paper towel, use a soft cleaning cloth to rub it clean.

10. Toothpaste

Before we begin, it’s important to remember that the sort of toothpaste you use makes a significant effect. When using tartar-control components, use something simple (think plain and solid-colored) (something with hydrated silica). This works because the same substances that operate against tartar also work against silver. Before you start, spot test a little section of the silver, and don’t make this a habit because it’s a little more abrasive.

You’ll need the following items:

White toothpaste in its most basic form
Water
2 sanitizing cloths (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
Using your soft cleaning cloth, dab a small amount of toothpaste on it. Rub it on the tarnished silver until it disappears. Finally, rinse with warm water and dry with the soft cloth you used earlier.

11. Baking soda alone

If you have a lot of buildup, this is the easiest way to get rid of it.
You’ll need the following items:

a quarter cup of baking soda
warm water (1/2 cup)
a big glass bowl
a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
Toothbrush
Using baking soda and warm water, make a thick paste. With your damp cloth, gently apply it to the tarnished areas. Allow for 3 minutes of resting time before gently rubbing with a soft towel. Because baking soda is slightly abrasive, the emphasis is on gently. If the piece of silver has small details, use a toothbrush (again, gently). Clean your silver with cold water and a gentle towel before buffing it dry.

12 Vinegar and Baking Soda

Who’d have guessed that your children’s science project might also be used to clean Grandma’s silver? Try this if the baking soda isn’t enough. You may easily double or quadruple this recipe if necessary.

You’ll need the following items:

4 tbsp. bicarbonate of soda
1 cup apple cider vinegar
a big glass bowl
a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
Reminisce about your elementary school days while you combine the baking soda and vinegar. After that, carefully set your silver in the basin. Allow 1 hour for it to soak in the mixture. After rinsing with cold water, pat dry with a soft cotton cloth.

13. Hand sanitizer

Finally, we’ll discuss a further unusual silver cleaning method we discovered: hand sanitizer. If you have any of this priceless bounty on hand, it’s a simple, quick treatment that could help you get rid of any residual infections. Note: This procedure should not be used on jewelry with encrusted jewels since the sanitizer may be too harsh!

You’ll need the following items:

Hand sanitizer is a product that is used to disinfect the hands.
a gentle cleaning cloth (microfiber or 100 percent cotton flannel)
Using a delicate cleaning cloth and one squirt of hand sanitizer, carefully rub your silver. As you massage in circular motions, you’ll see that the tarnish and discoloration will vanish right before your eyes. Your silver is clean and gleaming once more!

Conclusion:

While these ways are simple, it’s a lot easier to simply maintain silver bright. Here are a few simple reminders.

If it’s jewelry, just wear it all the time. The oils in your skin will keep your silver gleaming. Consider dressing up as necessary maintenance if you need an excuse to take out the family’s valuables.

How to Store Silver Properly

Humidity levels: Keeping silver bright requires keeping it in a regulated environment with humidity levels of around 50%. However, not everyone lives in an environment where they can manage this, so just keep it away from areas where it will be exposed to moist weather.

To keep your silver safe from the weather, keep it in soft, tight bags. Use undyed cotton cloth or acid-free tissue paper whenever possible. Even if it was given to you that way, DO NOT store it with newspaper or rubber bands.

Basic maintenance does not have to be difficult. Dust your silver with a soft cloth every now and then to keep it from tarnishing. And if you notice it starting to tarnish (which will vary depending on the piece and how pure the silver is—less sterling tarnishes faster), simply give it a simple cleaning with dish soap (we like Dawn).

We have taken a lot of time to bring you the most comprehensive article on “how to clean tarnish silver”.

We hope you’ve enjoyed and appreciated learning more about this topic.

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