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How to clean silver plate cutlery


How to Clean Silver-Plated Items Easily and Naturally

This baking soda and water mixture restores shine

By

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann

Lauren Thomann is passionate about crafting and DIY home improvement, writing on both topics. While refurbishing her 1916 bungalow on her own, she shares lessons learned through her DIY and home improvement articles.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 07/12/22

Reviewed by

Amanda Rose Newton

Reviewed by Amanda Rose Newton

Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Jillian Dara

Fact checked by Jillian Dara

Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Project Overview

You can do things to slow silver from becoming tarnished and dull, but ultimately the item will need to be cleaned if you want it to look like new. There are many commercial products to clean silver and silver-plated items, but you also can clean silver naturally. Using common household items will save you money, and cleaning silver this way is much less labor-intensive.

Use the following steps to clean your silver naturally.

Tips

Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, often made with baking soda, that can double as a cleaning remedy for many things around the house, including silverware and jewelry. Other household items that you can use successfully to polish silver include vinegar, lemon juice, and ketchup. Each has weak acids that can get rid of tarnish.

Watch Now: How to Clean Silver Without Chemicals

Equipment / Tools

Materials

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  1. Assess the Silver Item

    Before you clean silver, evaluate the basic characteristics of the item. Is it solid silver or silver plate? Is it old? How much is it worth? If you inherited antique silver, check with a local antique dealer to determine its value. If you want to sell the item, the dealer can help you decide whether it's best to leave the item in as-is condition.

    Restoring silver is a hotly debated topic in the antique market. Some people think polishing causes damage and reduces the value, while others want the item to look as new as possible. Some leave only a portion of the tarnish intact to show character. 

    If you aren't planning on reselling the silver-plated object any time soon, then how you restore it is entirely up to your discretion.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  2. Gather Required Supplies

    You'll need roughly 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda for every gallon of water used. Pick a bucket or tub that is large enough for the silver to lay flat and be covered in the liquid.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  3. Line a Bucket With Aluminum Foil

    Place a few sheets of aluminum foil on the bottom of your container, and make sure that the shiny side is facing up. For this process to work, you'll need the silver to be directly touching the foil.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  4. Sprinkle Salt and Baking Soda on Foil

    Sprinkle equal parts salt and baking soda on top of the aluminum foil.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  5. Add Boiling Water

    Bring water to a boil, and carefully pour it into the container. Make sure the bucket you're using is deep enough to withstand the fizzing that occurs when the water hits the baking soda and salt. Boil enough water to cover the items you will be cleaning.

    Warning

    When pouring, stand back because the steam could potentially scald your skin, and the smell is not pleasant.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  6. Allow Silver to Soak

    Use tongs to add the silver into the container. In most instances, you'll notice the tarnish starts to dissolve immediately. If some tarnish is stubborn, add more salt, baking soda, or water. Ensure the aluminum foil is in direct contact with the silver item. 

    Some people let their silver sit for just a minute or two. Others leave it to soak for up to a half hour. You'll be able to tell how long your silver needs to soak based on how much tarnish is still left on the piece. To see if the silver is ready, carefully remove it from the hot mixture with tongs, and wipe with a soft rag. If there is still tarnish, place it back in the bucket for additional soaking.

    Tip

    Be aware that some darker spots might be the base metal showing through the silver plating. This is common on older pieces where the silver plating has been worn down over time by polishing.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  7. Rinse and Dry

    After removing the object from the bucket, rinse it thoroughly with clean water. The goal is to remove any leftover salt and baking soda residue that could speed up the tarnishing process in the future.

    Dry the piece with a soft rag. And make sure there is no moisture left, which could also cause the silver to tarnish again rather quickly.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Antique Silver. The British Antique Dealers' Association.

  2. Burns and Scalds. United Kingdom National Health Service.

How to Clean Silver Plate (Everyday & Deep Cleaning)

Photo: istockphoto.com

Silver plate platters, tea sets, and flatware—typically made of copper, brass, or nickel and topped with a thin layer of pure silver or a silver alloy through the process of electrolysis—add a touch of class to any table (at a far more reasonable price than solid silver). Yet silver plate can lose its luster through regular use, accumulating dirt and tarnish, a dingy film formed when traces of sulfur in the air chemically react with the silver surface to produce silver sulfide.

Because the silver plate coating is delicate, it requires uniquely gentle cleaning (unlike its solid sibling, which can actually stand up to mild abrasives like toothpaste). Read on to learn how to clean silver plate safely and easily after everyday use and periods of tarnish, and you can enjoy it on a daily basis—not just when company comes.

RELATED: 8 Things You Never See on the Dining Table Anymore

Photo: istockphoto.com

Everyday Cleaning

Use this procedure for cleaning silver plate to get rid of the dirt and grime that accumulates from regular use.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Acidfree liquid dish soap
– Rubber gloves
– Dish sponge
– Microfiber clot
– Sink stopper

STEP 1

Determine whether your silver-plated item is lacquered (sealed with a clear protective coating) or non-lacquered by pressing the tip of a fingernail into an inconspicuous location. If this leaves a small mark, it’s lacquered; if there’s no mark, it’s non-lacquered.

STEP 2

Insert a sink stopper into the drain of an empty sink. If cleaning a lacquered silver-plated item, run warm water from the tap until the sink is three-quarters of the way full. (Hot water can strip the lacquer.) If cleaning a non-lacquered item, run hot water from the tap.

STEP 3

Add to the water half teaspoon of acid-free liquid dish soap (check the ingredient list, avoiding soaps with “citric extracts” or citric acid, a common ingredient in citrus-scented dish soaps that can have a mild corrosive effect on silver plate). Using a gloved hand, stir the contents until the soap has completely dissolved.

STEP 4

Submerge the silver-plated item in the soap bath completely. Give the piece three to five minutes of dwell time to loosen dirt or grime, then remove it and place it on a clean surface.

STEP 5

While the item is still wet, gently rub its entire surface with a soft, dry cloth or dish sponge to slough off loosened dirt and grime. Steer clear of steel wool, polishing cloths, or other abrasive utensils, which can scratch silver plate.

STEP 6

Rinse the item under warm tap water to wash off lingering debris, then wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth. Now, don’t forget to polish to completely restore the metal’s luster! Jump to the last section to read how to shine your silver plate.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Deep Cleaning

Use this technique for how to clean silver plate at least once a year or whenever you notice the dark, shadowy film of tarnish form.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Aluminum foil
– Two-quart saucepan
– Baking soda
– Tongs
– Mircrofiber cloth

STEP 1

Line the base and sides of a large glass bowl with a sheet of aluminum foil (either the shiny or dull side can be facing up), then set the silver-plated item inside the bowl directly on top of the foil.

STEP 2

Boil four cups of plain water in a saucepan, then move the saucepan of water from the heat to an empty sink. Add a quarter cup of baking soda to the saucepan while the water inside is still hot. The water will bubble as the baking soda dissolves.

STEP 3

If cleaning non-lacquered silver plate, immediately pour all of the hot water and baking soda solution over the silver-plated item in the foil-lined glass bowl. If the item is lacquered, wait until the water is warm to the touch before pouring it over the silver-plated item (hot water can strip the lacquer). The baking soda will immediately begin to chemically react with the silver sulfide. You should start to see the dark film diminish within one minute and, depending on the degree of tarnish, disappear entirely within five to 10 minutes.

STEP 4

Remove the silver-plated item from the bowl using tongs, then rinse it under warm tap water to wash away any lingering film. Wipe the item down with a soft, dry cloth, and polish according to the next section before storing.

Photo: istockphoto. com

Polishing Silver Plate

Following either the regular or deep cleaning routines, use this procedure to restore sheen to silver plate.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Rubber gloves
– Silver polish (either paste- or cream-based)
– Microfiber cloth
– Anti-tarnish silver storage bag
– Anti-tarnish fabric lining

STEP 1

After donning gloves, squeeze a dot of silver polish onto a soft, clean, dry cloth. Gently rub the paste- or cream-based polish (e.g., Wright’s Silver Polish Cleaner, available for $5 on Amazon) over the entire surface of the clean silver-plated item using circular motions.

STEP 2

Rinse the item under warm tap water to wash away excess polish, then dry the item immediately with a clean soft cloth; air-drying can lead to unsightly water marks.

STEP 3

Store your cleaned and polished silver-plated items in an anti-tarnish silver storage bag (view example on Amazon) or a kitchen drawer covered with anti-tarnish fabric lining (view example on Amazon). These fabrics absorb sulfur present in the air, preventing the chemical reaction that causes tarnish.

How and how to clean a silver spoon and other silverware from blackness at home

Contents

Once upon a time, every wealthy family sought to replenish the arsenal of cutlery with silver spoons, forks and knives. "Eating from silver" was considered a sign of high social status, good taste and strong material well-being.

Now silver appliances are not so popular: they have been replaced by analogues made from less expensive and less demanding materials - for example, the same stainless steel. However, some owners still purchase silver status sets or inherit them. And miniature silver spoons, which are traditionally bought for babies “for the first tooth”, are in many homes.

It is believed that the silver spoon helps the baby's teeth to grow healthy. And this is not a superstition: silver is a natural antiseptic that is detrimental to bacteria. Including those causing caries.

Reasons for darkening of silverware

Silver cutlery (as well as jewelry) is never made from pure argentum. Silver is a soft metal, and spoons made of it will easily bend and deform. Therefore, ligatures (other metals) are added to it, which give silver better performance characteristics. The lower the sample, the higher the content of ligatures.

Silverware blackens mainly due to the reaction of ligatures to aggressive factors: high humidity, cleaning agents, certain substances in the composition of food.

However, silver itself is also not entirely inert. Its worst enemy is sulfur, which is found in our natural secretions, as well as some foods (for example, onions, garlic, eggs, and so on). The surface layer of silver reacts with sulfur and sulfide is formed - the very unaesthetic dark coating that I would like to get rid of.

See all silver teaspoons in the catalog SUNLIGHT

If you choose silverware not in an antique shop, pay attention to rhodium-plated spoons, forks and knives. They are covered with the thinnest layer of rhodium, which makes the silverware more brilliant and protects it from the appearance of black plaque.

How to clean silverware

It is not recommended to clean and wash silver cutlery (especially without rhodium plating) with ordinary dishwashing detergents: they can accelerate the processes of oxidation and sulfidation, that is, the formation of dark deposits.

In today's hardware stores, looking for cleaning products for silverware is almost pointless: no demand - no supply. You can try your luck in jewelry stores: they often sell all kinds of sprays and pastes for cleaning silver in any form. However, they are not cheap, and you definitely cannot find them in small towns (well, if you are not ready to wait for delivery from an online store by mail).

Do not be sad: cleaning silver from blackness at home is not such a technologically complicated process. And the necessary substances will surely be at your fingertips - in extreme cases, you will have to run to a pharmacy, an ordinary household store or a grocery store.

Nickel silver is often confused with silver - they really look very similar. Melchior was invented as a cheap substitute for silver. It is an alloy of copper and nickel and is widely used for cutlery, jewelry, coins, and medical instruments.

So, let's try to quickly and effectively clean silverware without the involvement of jewelry workshops and special tools.

Effective detergents

As mentioned above, in the case of silverware, you can not use ordinary detergents - they can leave unsightly dark stains. Do not use abrasives - they scratch delicate surfaces.

The matter is further complicated by the fact that silver appliances (especially antique ones) often have intricate decor. And this is not only about all kinds of curls, reliefs and recesses. Decorative blackening or gilding was often applied to table silver, metal was combined with ivory and valuable wood.

Nevertheless, in every home you can find effective and safe products for the care of silverware (including antiques).

If antique silver has a purely decorative function, it is not necessary to clean it: the noble patina further emphasizes the flair of antiquity and aristocracy. But if you use cutlery for food, it is better to get rid of dark plaque.

Water, baking soda and foil

This method is very simple and effective. Its only drawback is that it cannot be used for blackened silver, as well as cutlery with elements made of heat-sensitive organics (wood, ivory, and so on). Alloys with a low silver content can also suffer.

To clean silverware in this way:

Dry soda is not recommended for cleaning silver - it is an abrasive. Do not pick out the remnants of contamination with sharp metal objects (needle, nail, awl, screwdriver, and so on).

Starch or potato decoction

In this case, only natural ingredients are used. The simplest, but not very effective option is to pour the silver with the broth that remains after boiling the potatoes. You do not need to cool it: the hotter, the more effective.

The second way is to take starch as an assistant (ideally corn, but potato will do). We act like this:

You will not get rid of the old blackened layer in this way, but for regular care it is quite suitable.

Chalk polishing

This is an old-fashioned way: it was with chalk that the table silver of aristocrats was polished to a shine by hard-working maids. You can apply this time-tested method now.

It's simple: crush the chalk and rub it over the silver with a soft cloth. If desired, the chalk can be slightly moistened until a paste is obtained.

The main problem is to find pure chalk, which would not contain solid particles (sand and small pebbles). Otherwise, scratches may form on the silverware.

Soaking items in salt and water

If you want to clean a silver spoon that you use regularly, you can use a saturated salt water solution.

The solution is prepared in an elementary way: we take a container, pour hot water from the tap into it, dissolve table salt in it (more, the main thing is to dissolve), put silver and leave for about an hour.

View all sets of teaspoons in the catalog SUNLIGHT

If desired, silver in a saline solution can even be boiled: if there are no inserts and blackening on the devices, nothing will happen to it, and a slight blackening will safely disappear.

Laundry detergent

It is not worth rubbing silver with washing powder: who knows? However, it can also be used in another way, for example, in the form of gruel, with which the product should be rubbed.

The second option is boiling in water with powder. For the best effect, you can cover the bottom of the container with foil or wrap each spoon in it.

Do not use regular powders. It is better to take a detergent for washing baby clothes - it is less aggressive.

Toothpaste and tooth powder

Toothpaste and powder can be used for mechanical cleaning of silver: the chemical effect is minimal here. Just squeeze the paste onto a soft cloth and rub the product. It is not recommended to use pastes with a whitening effect - they contain abrasives, although they are soft.

Toothpowder is used in the same way, either dry or diluted with water to form a slurry.

Vinegar solution

In this case, we are no longer talking about mechanics, but about pure chemistry. Acetic acid is a powerful reagent that can cope with any darkening. But in its pure form, it is detrimental to the metal itself.

You will not find acetic acid (essence) in stores: they sell ordinary food vinegar (that is, its aqueous solution in a low concentration). In it, you can not only safely soak silver, but even boil it. You can dilute it with water in a ratio of 1: 1, but this is rather for your own peace of mind.

Lemon Juice Soak

Lemon juice is a pure acid, so it is also good at removing dirt. Take half a lemon and rub silver with it, wait 30-60 minutes and rinse off the juice. If possible, you can soak silver in pure lemon juice for the same period.

Much more democratic citric acid has a similar effect. The optimal concentration is one standard sachet per half liter of water. You can even boil.

How to polish silverware

In addition to removing dirt, it is customary to polish silver to a mirror finish. The most famous and affordable means for these purposes is the chalk already mentioned above.

Of the professional, but cheap and time-tested products, one can name the well-known GOI paste. After processing it, even shallow scratches leave the silver surface.

Polishing with a soft eraser

If you have schoolchildren or art lovers in the house, you will certainly find erasers. Simply erase the surfaces and the silverware will shine.

It is best to use classic soft pencil erasers made of rubber. However, in the absence of them, any others will do, the main thing is not too hard.

Polishing silver with lipstick

Any color of lipstick can theoretically be used to polish silver. It's simple: apply lipstick on the surface and rub it with a cloth with effort.

This method is best used in extreme cases. Firstly, the polishing effect is not so strong, and secondly, then you are tormented by picking out lipstick from the recesses.

Proper care of silver spoons and other silverware

If a silver spoon has darkened, it means that you have not spent enough time caring for your valuable cutlery. Above, we have listed the most effective ways to keep silver cutlery in order. It is enough to use them from time to time: once every few months or even a year, especially if you use silverware infrequently.

As part of regular maintenance, silver should simply be washed properly, and only then, if necessary, radically cleaned and polished.

And it is better to wash silverware as follows:

  1. In hot water, dissolve shavings of household or baby soap.
  2. Soak cutlery in the solution for about an hour.
  3. Carefully remove food residues with a soft sponge, rinse and dry.

How to store silverware

If you are the lucky owner of such valuable cutlery, you should take care of their proper storage. Main conditions: dryness, stable room temperature, protection from sunlight.

Silverware sets are usually sold in special boxes with a velvet backing, which are best used for permanent storage. In such cases, there are personal cells for each spoon-fork.

Silver should never be mixed up in a kitchen drawer with not so noble cutlery. If you do not have a special case or you use a silver spoon all the time, then at least store it separately, wrapped in a cloth.

Silver cutlery is best left for special occasions, and for ordinary meals, use something less pretentious and whimsical. The exception is a children's silver spoon.

Is it possible to wash silver spoons in the dishwasher - what the experts say

Unfortunately, classic silverware does not withstand the processing in the dishwasher: it creates too extreme conditions for delicate cutlery. So you have to wash it the old fashioned way, with handles. The exception is much more resistant and less capricious rhodium-plated devices.

Let the radiance of silverware, refined with our advice, cast radiant reflections throughout your life!

we clean silver spoons, forks and dishes with our own hands

Silver accessories tend to darken. It is especially unpleasant when you have a celebration planned, but there is no time to clean the appliances. It is clear that the spoons and forks themselves do not blacken, there must be a good reason for the loss of the original luster. It is advisable to understand this issue before cleaning silverware from blackness once again. After all, having found out what the problem is, you can prevent its undesirable consequences in the future.

Most often, the change in the color of the precious metal occurs due to its oxidation upon contact with other substances contained in products, household chemicals, rubber and gas. But also the reasons can be:

Council. Silver will no longer be a hassle if you follow simple rules for its use and storage. 9Ol000 , and for a fan, there is no better gift to be found, a silver soccer ball is a very symbolic gift for those who know a lot about this game, v..

Keychain Key

text_instock text_model 110075

The silver key beckons to open some mysterious door of Papa Carlo's closet. This silver keychain will look very organic and elegant. If you present such a silver keychain to a loved one, you will underline such people with this gesture.

You don't have to think from time to time about how to clean a silver spoon and how, if you treat your things with care, take care of them in a timely manner, thereby preventing their damage and contamination.

Silver is a soft material that can be scratched if handled incorrectly. To prevent this from happening, you should remember and follow the recommendations for the care of silver items:

Important! The above recommendations do not apply to silver knives (other than fish knives) that have stainless steel blades.

How to store silverware?

Council. An excellent solution would be to purchase a silverware set with a storage container.

How to use carefully?

You may be surprised, but there are cases when using dishes made of silver is highly discouraged:

How to clean silverware?

There are many ways to remove dark stains and bring back the original shine to your favorite items. Below are the various methods for cleaning silverware using home remedies:

Foil

This is a great option for serving utensils. Consider how to clean silver spoons at home. To do this, you need to prepare

The following steps are required:

  1. Fill a bowl with foil with water, boil.
  2. Add salt, baking soda and slowly pour in the vinegar. You can do without it, but the acid will greatly speed up the cleaning process.
  3. In the resulting solution, place the products. Spoons must be in contact with the foil, the action of which is to rid the devices of dullness and give a silver sheen.
  4. Boil the dishes for one minute.
  5. Remove the spoons from the saucepan. In order not to burn yourself and carefully remove valuable items, use special tongs.
  6. Polish cutlery with a soft cloth or cloth.

Soda

The most affordable way to restore shine is soda, which is always at hand for any housewife.

If it is necessary to process simple products, it is only necessary to combine the powder with water until a thick paste is formed , and apply the resulting mixture to the contamination. After 10 minutes, carefully remove everything and rub the thing with a cloth.

Some cookware requires special care. Consider how to clean silverware in a more gentle way? To do this, we will make a soda solution. Work steps:

  1. Boil a glass of water.
  2. Pour in 20 gr. soda, stir.
  3. Place pieces of foil on the bottom of the container.
  4. Immerse the instruments in the solution for 15 minutes.
  5. Carefully remove the spoons and dry with a cloth.

Vinegar

A brilliant effect can be achieved by preparing a solution of half a glass of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda. To clean silver forks and spoons, soak them in this composition, rinse after two to three hours, and dry thoroughly.

Starch

Cookware will shine like new when you make corn paste. What to do?

  1. Mix starch with water.
  2. Apply a layer of the mixture to the desired area using a damp cloth.
  3. Leave to dry completely.
  4. Wipe with gauze or a rough towel.

Laundry detergent

An excellent all-rounder for all occasions. You will need:

Work sequence:

  1. Place pieces of foil on the bottom of a container and cover with boiling water.
  2. Add detergent.
  3. Soak in this compound for one minute.
  4. Rinse the dishes.
  5. Air dry.

Toothpaste

Silverware can also be cleaned of blackness with a common hygiene product. With such gentle cleaning, you will not be able to damage anything. To get a positive result you need:

  1. Squeeze some of the paste onto a soft cloth or toothbrush.
  2. Apply a coat of product to a wet garment
  3. Rinse thoroughly when soiled.
  4. Wipe silver items dry.

Chalk

To give your dinnerware a new look, use the following method:

  1. Take two pieces of chalk.
  2. Grind it to a powder.
  3. Add water and move.
  4. Gently spread the resulting slurry on the dishes
  5. Clean the spoon well and wash with warm water.

Council. To keep the shine of the silver, put a couple of pieces of chalk next to the cutlery. It absorbs moisture well, preventing darkening.

Window cleaner

Window cleaner will help you with stains on spoons. Apply a little product to the sponge and wipe the problem areas. To add shine, leave the devices in the composition for a few minutes. Rinse well and dry.

Lemon juice

Silver spoons will sparkle with cleanliness when prepared with an acid-based cleaning balm. Procedure:

  1. Mix a spoonful of lemon juice and half a cup of powdered milk in a glass of water.
  2. Line the bottom of the pot with foil.
  3. Place spoons in a container and pour over the prepared product.
  4. Soak instruments overnight and rinse with water in the morning.
  5. Wipe with a clean cloth and enjoy the shine.

Important! When using acids and products with a strong odor, it is necessary to work in household gloves and in a well-ventilated area.

Hand Cleaner

Hand Sanitizer will clean dishes easily and without fuss. Wipe the spoons with a cloth soaked in the concentrate, and the shine will return again.

Eraser

Good cleaning properties are demonstrated by ordinary washing gum, which is enough to walk on the surface. The effect will be noticeable when you thoroughly rinse and dry your silver items.

Lipstick

In this case, the most common cosmetic lipstick is meant, gloss will not help here.

Learn more