Seven Tricks To Clean Silver At Home

Some types of silver almost never dull, because the metal is galvanized with a thin layer of rhodium. However, there are tricks to clean and keep silver clean at home!

However, many people also own antique silver. This gets darker over the years due to exposure to, for example, dust and other external influences.

Many people think that silver oxidizes. However, this is not the case. It reacts to hydrogen sulfide in the air, making it dull.

Tricks to clean silver at home

Fortunately, in that case you don’t have to spend a lot of money on polishes to make your silver shine again. Therefore, remember these tricks to clean your own silver at home and make it shine again.

1. Salt water

Salt water is the first in our list of tricks for cleaning silver at home. This simple solution can be used to clean smaller items such as  necklaces and other jewelry.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of salt;
• 1 cup of water.

Instructions

• Mix the salt with a cup of boiling water and then soak your silver in it overnight.
• The next morning, remove the silver from the water and buff it with a dry cloth.

2. Baking powder and vinegar

The combination of baking soda and vinegar is one of the most practical cleaning tips for all kinds of household items. You can think of cutlery and caked pans, for example.

The properties of this mixture can help remove the dull layer (which forms on silver over time). This will make it look like new again.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon baking powder;
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar.

Instructions

• Add slowly baking powder to the white wine vinegar (it will initially as foams).
• Once the baking soda has completely dissolved, dip the silver in it and wipe it clean with a cloth.
• Finally, finish by polishing the silver with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat this process one more time if necessary.

3. Toothpaste

This is one of many alternative ways to use toothpaste. Toothpaste is a great polish for silver and metal objects.

Ingredients

• Toothpaste;
• Hot water;
• Mild soap.

Instructions

• Wash the item you want to polish with some hot water and mild soap.
• Then rub the object with a generous amount of toothpaste.
• After brushing the item for five minutes, rinse it and dry it well with an absorbent cloth.

4. Tartar

Tartar, aka  cream or tartar , is another great product for cleaning silver. However, this product is not yet well known.

Tartar will help remove dullness and make your silver items shine again.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of tartar;
• 1 teaspoon salt;
• About 1 liter of water.

Instructions

• Mix the tartar with the salt and water in a saucepan.
• Mix the ingredients well and place the pan over medium heat.
• Put the silver you want to clean in the pan and let it cook in this mixture for about five minutes.
• After five minutes, remove the silver from the pan and let it cool for a while. Then polish it with a dry cloth.

5. Aluminum foil

Number 5 in our list of tricks for cleaning silver at home is using aluminum foil. It is therefore one of the most popular methods to remove the dull layer on silver. You will therefore see that your silver will look like new again after this.

Ingredients

• Aluminium foil;
• Hot water;
• 1 tablespoon of salt.

Instructions

• Take a large piece of aluminum foil and use it to line the inside of a large bowl.
• Fill the bowl with hot water and add the salt.
• Submerge your silverware in this and then let it soak for about ten minutes.
• Finally, dry the silverware and polish it with a soft cloth so that it will shine like new again.

6. Banana Peel

The insides of banana peels contain a compound that can help clean metal objects, such as silverware.

Ingredients

• 1 banana peel

Instructions

• Use the inside of a fresh banana peel to polish your silver.
• You may need to repeat this process several times with a few different banana peels.

7. Lemon

This citrus fruit can be used in several ways in and around the house. Plus, it’s one of the last on our list of tricks for cleaning and restoring silver at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon;
• 1 teaspoon salt.

Instructions

• Cut a lemon in half, dip it in some salt and use it to polish your silver.
• Let it do its job for a few minutes. Then rinse the silver with water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Finally, a few tips…

When you are cleaning, it is very important to protect your hands by wearing gloves as well as working in an area that is well ventilated.

During cleaning, certain gases can be released that are harmful to your health.

In conclusion, we state that it is best to prevent your silverware from becoming very dull. To this end, it is best to brush it a little once a month.