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Writer's pictureJessica Foust

Cleaning Silver Stains

Updated: Jul 14, 2020

How to Properly Clean Silver Jewelry, Plates, and Cutlery, According to an Expert


Try these home remedies to restore shine and remove tarnish.


No matter how well you care for your silver jewelry, dishes, and cutlery, they will naturally tarnish over time. But since no one wants to host a dinner party with dingy place settings, it's important to learn how to clean silver quickly and efficiently a.k.a. before your guests show up at the door. While you can't necessarily prevent tarnish from air and light exposure, follow this silver cleaning guide to restore its original gleam. Good news: It doesn't take much effort to make your silver sparkle again, and you can follow the same methods for all objects, no matter how luxe.



How to Clean Silver


Sure, wiping your object with a microfiber cloth removes dust, but it fails to bring back the silver's shine. To get rid of tarnish and prevent it from coming back, use a targeted silver polish. If you're unsure of how to properly polish your silver, follow this step-by-step:

  1. Put a small amount of silver polish on a clean cloth, dampened if necessary.

  2. Rub the polish on your item in an up-and-down motion, not circular to avoid highlighting fine scratches.

  3. Turn the cloth frequently as you work, so tarnish isn't deposited back on your item.

  4. Rinse in warm water and buff with a clean, dry cloth to shine.

If You're Out of Polish, Try These Homemade Cleaners


Without a doubt, the targeted polish is the most effective way to keep your silver clean. But if you're in a pinch, you can turn to your pantry for homemade remedies. With a simple solution from the house cleaning experts at Innovative cleaning solutions, silver throughout the home will be shining soon.


The fast approach - How It’s Done

To polish your silver, all that’s needed is a cake pan, aluminum foil, baking soda, and water. To get started, line the cake pan with aluminum foil and fill the pan with water, adding one tablespoon of baking soda for every two cups of water. Once that’s set, put the silverware in the pan and heat it to 150 degrees, making sure all the silver is touching the foil. The rest will take care of itself. The stains will start to dissolve on their own and the silverware will look as good as new.


For a more hands-on approach:

For silver that is dull, filmy, or not yet discolored, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water and dip in a soft cloth. Rub the jewelry, then rinse in cool water and buff with a cloth until dry.

  • For heavier tarnish, mix a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Wet the silver and apply the cleaner with a soft, lint-free cloth (not paper towels). Work the paste into the crevices, turning the cloth as it gets gray. Rinse and buff dry.

How to Prevent Tarnish


Natural tarnish may be unavoidable, but there are some ways to make sure that your flatware, jewelry, and dishes don't lose their luster as quickly. Here are some tried-and-tested tips and tricks:

  • Store each piece of silver jewelry in its own anti-tarnish bag in a cool, dry spot.

  • Put a piece of chalk in an anti-tarnish bag to help remove moisture from the air.

  • Put jewelry on after perfume to prevent it from sticking to your silver.

  • Don't be afraid to wear your silver: Friction slows down tarnishing so the more you wear it, the more it'll shine.



Innovative Cleaning Solutions is a cleaning company that provides Housecleaning services. If you are in need of a clean and don't have the time, book your FREE Estimate now! For more information about Innovative cleaning Solutions visit our website.


#innovativecleaningsolutions #@InnavativecleanS


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