How to Quick-Clean Sterling Silver and Silverplate

It isn’t difficult to clean the silver items you find at Legacies Upscale Resale; with hot water, baking soda and a little elbow grease, you can do it, believe it or not! There is no need to buy expensive cleaners or call in an expert unless the tarnish is severe.

Here’s how to restore the shine and remove tarnish from sterling silver and silver plate.

(Note: It’s a good idea to test this cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of your silverware to be sure it doesn’t cause any damage.)

1. Get ready

Gather up a soft cloth or sponge, a bowl or basin, hot water, baking soda and a clean, dry towel.

2. Make your magic solution

Fill the bowl or basin with hot water. The water should be hot, but not boiling (you can put your hand in). Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda and stir gently until it dissolves. The baking soda is a natural cleaning agent.

3. Give your silver a bath

Submerge the silverware or silver/silverplate items, ensuring each piece is fully dunked. Let the items soak for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

If the tarnish is heavy or stubborn, soak a bit longer.

4. Scrub

Taking your soft cloth or sponge in hand, carefully scrub the silver to remove any remaining tarnish or dirt. Pay extra attention to intricate patterns or hard-to-reach areas. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive lift the tarnish without damaging the silver.

5. Rinse and inspect

Rinse the silverware thoroughly under running water to remove any baking soda residue. Check each piece to ensure that all tarnish and dirt are gone. If any stubborn tarnish remains, repeat the process, or focus on pesky areas with a silver polishing cloth.

6. Dry and polish

Once your silver is super-clean, use a clean, dry towel to pat each piece dry. Make sure you get all the all moisture off—you don’t want water spots! This is not necessary, but for extra credit (and extra shine), polish the silver with a silver polishing cloth or a specialized silver polish. Follow the instructions on the product.

7. Store properly

Store your now-sparkling silverware in a cool, dry place. Anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets can absorb moisture to stop tarnish from coming back.

What not to do

• Never use abrasive materials like steel wool or harsh chemicals; they can scratch or damage your silver.
• If your silverware has delicate or ornate details, don’t be too rough when scrubbing. You don’t want to bend or distort the fancy patterns!
• If the tarnish is severe or the silverware has intricate designs difficult to clean, call the pros or use special silver cleaning products.

Regular cleaning (every few years unless you use your silver a lot) and proper storage can keep tarnish under control.