If your silver has lost its shine, don’t worry: We’ve got expert tips on how to make tarnished silver shine again. With the right products and methods, your heirloom jewelry, vintage serving tray, or favorite silverware set can be restored.
Silver tarnishes because of a chemical reaction between the metal and sulfur compounds in the air. Moisture in the air can accelerate this reaction, so if your silver is stored somewhere humid, you may notice it tarnishes quickly. Oil and sweat from your hands can tarnish silver, as can lotions, perfumes, and even certain food items like eggs, mayonnaise, and onions (so don’t use a silver tray when you’re serving deviled eggs!). Because of this, it’s practically impossible to keep silver from tarnishing altogether.
The good news is that making your silver shine again isn’t complicated. According to experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, you can use silver polish, dish soap, or baking soda to remove tarnish. A little bit of time and the right supplies can have your pieces looking bright.
Ahead, experts share step-by-step guidance and tips on how to store silver so it doesn’t tarnish as quickly. If you’re looking for more tips on keeping your jewelry looking its best, read up on the best jewelry cleaners, according to our lab tests.
How to clean silver with polish
What You'll Need
- Silver Cleaner and Polish
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
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 the product directions or this step-by-step guide to polish silver properly:
- Put a small amount of silver polish on a clean cloth, dampened if necessary.
- Rub the polish on your item in an up-and-down motion, not circular to avoid highlighting fine scratches.
- Turn the cloth frequently as you work, so tarnish isn't deposited back on your item.
- Wash and rinse in warm water and buff with a clean, dry cloth to shine.
How to clean silver naturally with soap or baking soda
What You'll Need
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- Dish Soap or Baking Soda or whitening toothpaste
While Carolyn Forté, former executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab prefers a silver polish, we found some success with homemade remedies. If you're in a pinch, you can turn to your pantry for dish soap, baking soda or toothpaste.
- 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 item, then rinse in cool water and buff with a cloth until dry.
- For silver that is heavily tarnished, 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.
- For silver jewelry that is tarnished, apply a tiny dab of white paste toothpaste (not gel) on a soft cloth and very gently rub it on the silver. Rinse well with warm water and shine with a soft cloth.
How to store silver and prevent tarnish
Natural discoloration is unavoidable, but there are some ways to ensure your flatware, jewelry and trays don't lose their luster as quickly. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to prevent tarnish:
- Store each piece of silver jewelry in its own anti-tarnish bag in a cool, dry spot.
- Tuck a piece of chalk in an anti-tarnish bag to help absorb moisture from the air.
- Put jewelry on after spraying perfume to prevent your fragrance from landing on the silver.
- Don't be afraid to wear your silver: Friction slows down tarnishing, which means the more you wear it, the more it'll shine.
How often should you polish silver?
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 works in most cases.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
