How to Clean Silver

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Try these remedies to make your jewelry, plates, and cutlery shine like new.

No matter how well you care for your silver jewelry, serving ware and cutlery, they will naturally tarnish over time. Although silver doesn't require the regular upkeep of more frequently-used household items like bedding and kitchenware, it still needs to be cleaned every so often to maintain its luster and keep heavy tarnish from making it look old and even more difficult to clean.

Your most-worn rings, necklaces and other jewelry pieces may only need a light polishing from time to time, but silver left on display or tucked inside boxes, cabinets and drawers that is used infrequently may require a more intensive clean.

It's a chemical reaction from exposure to sulphur in the air and light that causes silver to tarnish, however, jewelry pieces stay bright with regular friction and frequent wear.

Polishing, while necessary, is abrasive so no matter how delicate your hand, there's no need to go overboard with cleaning — anywhere from two to six times a year usually suffices in most cases.

Follow these steps on how to clean silver from Carolyn Forte, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, to make it sparkle. Although there are recommended go-to cleaning products that make for a more effective clean, we've also included a few homemade cleaning remedies with basic pantry finds, including dish soap and baking soda, for less expensive cleaning options or to use in a pinch when you find you're out of regular polish.

The easiest and most effective way to make silver sparkle is with a targeted silver polish like Good Housekeeping Seal star Weiman Silver Polish. Follow product directions or this step-by-step guide to polish silver properly:

Without a doubt, targeted polish (mentioned above) is the most effective way to clean silver. But if you're in a pinch, you can turn to your pantry for homemade remedies.

Natural discoloration is unavoidable, but there are some ways to make sure that your flatware, jewelry, and trays don't lose their luster as quickly. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to prevent tarnish:

Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.

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