How to take care of your silver

For routine care, a quick wash in soapy water can be a sufficient way to keep silver shiny. Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing soap in warm water and gently wash silver pieces. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. In between cleanings, store silver in a cool, dry place to prevent excess tarnish.

How to Clean Silver Naturally

You can clean tarnished silver (even heavily tarnished pieces) with a simple homemade solution and you likely already have all the ingredients that you need. Cleaning silver with a combination of aluminum foil, baking soda, and salt typically does the trick for both small and large silver pieces. Try these easy techniques to clean tarnished silver and watch grime wash away before your eyes.

What You'll Need

• Aluminum foil

• Pan or pot

• Boiling water

• Baking soda

• Kosher salt

• Soft cloth

How to Clean Small Silver Items:

Silverware and other small silver items are easy to clean in a foil-covered pot or pan using the following steps.

1. Line a pot or roasting pan with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil covers the entire surface.

2. Fill the pan with boiling water.

3. Add 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt to the water and stir. You should see bubbles form.

4. Mix the solution, then carefully place silver pieces into the pan, ensuring that the pieces don't ram into one another or the sides of the pan.

5. Let sit for up to 5 minutes.

6. Once cool, remove and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

How to Clean Large Silver Items:

Use your sink as a vessel for cleaning larger silver items, such as bulky trays, candlesticks, and serving dishes.

1. Line your sink with foil. Again, make sure to cover the entire surface, including the edges.

2. Pour boiling water into the sink. Use enough water so that your pieces will be fully submerged.

3. Add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt to the water. Stir the mixture. Bubbles will form.

4. Place silver pieces in the solution.

5. Allow pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.

6. Remove items when cool and dry them off with a soft cloth.

Your silver pieces should now be shinier and free of tarnish. They're all set to use or display proudly, and you'll never be left wondering how to clean silver again!

How to Clean Silver-Plated and Antique Silver Items

Knowing how to clean silver – plated items, such as silver necklaces, rings, and other jewelry, can be a little tricky. Because these pieces only have silver plated over the surface of another metal, vigorous cleaning or submerging items in a liquid solution, along with regular wear and tear, can cause flaking. Test methods in an inconspicuous spot before proceeding with a deep clean. And if your silver jewelry has gemstones or other embellishments, simply use a few drops of mild soap or even baby shampoo mixed into water to wipe down before storing. Use cotton swabs or a soft bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies. If you use a brush, use a light hand so you don't unintentionally scratch the surface.

How to Polish Silver

While the natural silver cleaning methods outlined above will help restore shine, you'll also find plenty of commercial silver polish products online and in stores. Be sure to choose a cleaner that's specifically intended to clean sterling silver or silver-plated items. Some are formulated for specialty applications, while others are more general purpose. Always read the instructions before using silver polish products and follow all instructions carefully.

Knowing how to clean sterling silver, silver antiques, and silver jewelry isn't something that takes hours to learn. Routine care, preventative maintenance, a simple silver cleaning method, and a little polishing will help keep your silver pieces shining for years to come.