How To Clean Tarnished Silver Flatware

All silver will tarnish when it s exposed to air and light but restoring it to its original gleam is easy.

How to clean tarnished silver flatware. Sterling silver is used in the production of flatware as well as the less expensive silver plated silverware. Apply with a damp sponge then rinse and dry. The plating will erode and expose the metal beneath to harsh chemicals and everyday wear and tear much more quickly. Many of the cleaning methods that are acceptable and preferable to use to clean sterling silver items will damage the silver on plated items causing the material to rust and tarnish much faster. First line the bottom of your sink with aluminum foil with the shiny side up.

Next add in as much tarnished silver as will fit and sprinkle it all with about a cup or even a bit more of baking soda. Once your silver is satisfactorily clean rinse all remnants of baking soda or toothpaste off with warm water. You can help keep your freshly cleaned sterling silverware pristine by storing it properly. Make a thick paste with 1 4 cup baking soda and two tablespoons of water. Here s how to polish silver if the built up tarnish persists.

Aluminum foil glass dish or aluminum baking dish 1 cup boiling water 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon sea salt 1 2 cup white vinegar rag for polishing tongs to remove silverware from boiling water. Both types of silverware need regular cleaning. Failing to rinse your silverware thoroughly will leave it dull looking. Ideally sterling silver should be stored in a lined flatware chest. If the tarnish is still stubbornly hanging on pop the pieces back into the baking soda bath to give the tarnish more time to release.

Be sure to get all of the residue off. Follow these tried and tested ways to keep your silver jewelry flatware plates. Avoid exposing sterling silver to tarnish producing materials like wool rubber felt and latex. Next you ll need some really hot water. Then buff each piece of silver with a clean dry cloth.

Rinse and buff your silverware. Copper is mixed with the silver to toughen it for tableware. Give the piece three to five minutes of dwell time to loosen dirt or grime then remove it and place it on a clean surface. Using tongs remove the silver pieces every few minutes to check on their progress. How to clean tarnished silverware what you need materials.