Liam Carter
Silver is a metal that requires upkeep to maintain its shine. It tarnishes due to a reaction with various sulfides, such as H2S in the air, and also because of exposure to sulphur, cosmetics, hair spray, hand cream, oils from the skin, and certain foods. To clean silver, various methods can be used, including soaking in lemon-lime soda, using a mixture of ammonia and water, toothpaste, vinegar and baking soda, or hand sanitiser. While nail polish remover contains acetone, it will not tarnish silver, and people often use it to wash silver coins.
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What You'll Learn
Silver cleaning products
Silver is a beautiful metal that can add a touch of elegance to any home or outfit. However, it is also a metal that reacts with sulphur in the air, as well as with common items like perfumes, cosmetics, hair spray, hand cream, oils from the skin, and certain foods. This can cause silver items to tarnish and lose their shine over time. Luckily, there are plenty of silver cleaning products and methods available to help restore your silver's original lustre.
Commercial Silver Cleaners
If you're looking for a quick and easy solution, there are many commercial silver cleaning products available on the market. Websites like Amazon offer a wide range of options, with prices starting as low as $4.45 with a Subscribe and Save discount. These products are designed to effectively clean, polish, and protect your silver items from tarnish and wear. When using a commercial brand, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.
Homemade Silver Cleaning Solutions
For those who prefer a more natural or cost-effective approach, there are several homemade silver cleaning solutions you can try. Here are some of the most popular methods:
- Toothpaste: Squeeze a small amount of plain, non-gel, non-abrasive toothpaste onto a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Rub the toothpaste onto the silver item in circular motions, then leave it for about 5 minutes before rinsing with water.
- Lemon-lime soda: Soak your slightly tarnished silver items in a bowl of lemon-lime soda for about an hour. Then, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a paper towel or soft cloth.
- Ammonia and water: Mix one part clear ammonia with two parts warm water. Soak your silver items in this solution for about 10 minutes, then wipe them with a soft cloth and buff with a dry cotton cloth to polish the surface.
- Vinegar and baking soda: Place your silver items in a bowl and cover them with white distilled vinegar. Add baking soda to the bowl—approximately four tablespoons of baking soda for every cup of vinegar. Let the silver soak for about an hour, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth.
- Aluminium foil and laundry detergent: Line a bowl with aluminium foil and fill it with hot water. Add a tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent and stir well. Drop your silver items into the bowl and let them soak for a minute. Remove the silver with kitchen tongs, rinse with lukewarm water, and lay the items on a paper towel to dry.
- Ketchup: Squeeze a few drops of ketchup onto a paper towel and gently rub it onto the tarnished silver. For built-up tarnish, apply ketchup directly to the affected areas and leave it for about 15 minutes. Then, rub the silver with a microfiber cloth and rinse with water.
- Cornstarch and water: Combine three parts water with one part cornstarch to create a paste. Using a damp cloth, apply the paste to the tarnished areas of your silver items. Let the paste dry, then use a more abrasive cloth to rub it off.
It's important to remember that while these methods are effective, they may not be suitable for all types of silver items. Always spot-test a small portion of the silver before attempting any new cleaning method, and avoid over-cleaning or using harsh abrasives, as these can damage your silver.
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Natural cleaning methods
Silver items can react with sulphur in the air, as well as with perfumes, cosmetics, hair spray, hand cream, oils from the skin, and even some foods. This can cause the metal to tarnish and lose its shine. Luckily, there are several natural, inexpensive, and simple ways to remove tarnish and restore the shine of your silver items.
One method is to line a bowl with aluminium foil and fill it with hot water. Add a tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent and stir. Drop your silver items inside and let them soak for a minute. Take the silver out with kitchen tongs, rinse with lukewarm water, and lay them on a paper towel to dry.
Another method is to use a non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount onto a soft cloth or paper handkerchief and rub it onto the silver item in circular motions to polish and clean off the tarnish. Leave it for 5 minutes, then rinse with water.
A third method is to prepare a solution of one part clear ammonia and two parts warm water. Soak your silver items in the liquid for 10 minutes. Then, wipe them with a soft cloth and buff with a dry cotton cloth to polish the surface.
You can also use baking soda, water, and aluminium foil to polish silver. Combine half a box of baking soda with water and stir to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the silver item and wait for 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the level of tarnish. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Finally, a simple solution of soapy hot water and a microfiber cloth can be used to clean silver items that are not heavily tarnished but look dull and lacklustre.
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Toothpaste
Firstly, it is advised to spot test a small, inconspicuous area of the silver item before proceeding with the full cleaning. Apply a small amount of plain, solid-coloured tartar-control toothpaste with a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Avoid gel toothpaste as it is not abrasive enough to remove tarnish.
Next, rub the toothpaste onto the silver item in circular motions, focusing on any engravings or tough-to-reach spots. If the item is heavily tarnished, let the toothpaste sit for a minute or two. Then, rinse the toothpaste off with warm water, ensuring that all residue is removed, and dry the item with a clean cloth.
In addition to toothpaste, other household items can also be used to clean silver. These include lemon-lime soda, ammonia, vinegar, baking soda, hand sanitiser, aluminium foil, laundry detergent, ketchup, and soapy water.
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Ammonia and water
Ammonia is an effective method for cleaning silver items, including jewellery. It can be used to remove tarnish and brighten lustre. However, it must be handled with caution as it is a potent chemical that can be hazardous if mishandled. It is important to only use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and ensure that it does not spill.
To clean silver with ammonia, mix one cup of warm water with half a cup of clear ammonia in a bowl. Soak your silver items in the solution for 10 minutes. After removing the silver from the solution, gently dry it with a clean cloth. You can also use a window cleaner that contains ammonia. Spray the cleaner onto a non-abrasive, dry cloth and use it to buff your silver items.
It is important to note that ammonia should not be used on antique silverware or jewellery, as it may cause damage. Additionally, ammonia should not be used on pearls, gemstones, clarity-enhanced diamonds, or copper, as it can eat through the protective coating or resin on these materials.
As an alternative to ammonia, a simple and gentle cleaning solution can be made using dish soap and water. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with water until it becomes soapy. Use this solution to clean your silver items, removing any built-up tarnish. After cleaning, rinse the items with water and dry them with a soft cloth.
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Avoiding abrasion
Silver is a metal that reacts with sulphur in the air, causing it to tarnish and lose its shine. To avoid abrasion when cleaning silver, it is important to avoid harsh abrasive products like chlorine bleach.
One method to avoid abrasion is to use a soapy hot water solution. Mix a bit of dish soap with warm water and dip a microfiber cloth into it. You can then use the cloth to gently clean your silver items.
Another method is to use a non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount onto a soft cloth or paper handkerchief and rub it onto the silver item with circular motions. Leave it for 5 minutes, then rinse with water.
You can also use a cornstarch paste. Combine 3 parts water and 1 part cornstarch to create a paste. Apply the paste to the tarnished parts of the silver with a damp cloth. Let the paste dry, then use a more abrasive cloth to rub off the dried paste.
Additionally, an aluminium-soda bath can be used to clean larger silver items or multiple items at once. Line a large baking pan with aluminium foil, with the shiny side up. Fill the pan with water and add baking soda (1.5 tablespoons per gallon of water). Bring the water to a boil and put the silver items inside for 15 seconds. Remove the items and let them cool down on a paper towel.
By using these methods, you can effectively clean your silver items while avoiding abrasion.
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Frequently asked questions
No, nail polish remover contains acetone, which can tarnish silver.
Silver tarnish is the reaction of silver with various sulfides, such as H2S in the air. Water accelerates this because tap water generally contains a good amount of sulfides.
There are several ways to clean silver, including using toothpaste, lemon-lime soda, ammonia, vinegar, baking soda, and hand sanitizer.
Plain, solid-colored toothpastes with tartar-control ingredients work well since they contain the most hydrated silica, which helps polish. Avoid using gel toothpaste as it can be too abrasive and scratch the silver.
Wear nitrile gloves to prevent fingerprints, which can accelerate tarnish. Use a mild, citrus-free, and phosphate-free dish soap. Avoid using anything abrasive, such as paper towels, rough sponges, scouring pads, or steel wool.
