5 easy and inexpensive ways to clean silver pieces

Almost everyone has something silver at home. It is present in cutlery, jewelry, rings, cups, trays and even musical instruments, among other products.

Silver is a very beautiful and shiny metal that gives a feeling of clarity, purity and refinement. But any silver object needs some special attention in care and a periodic cleaning to maintain all its vitality and shine.

Over time, even the best quality silver can darken and its recesses will take on a dark color, like a grime, or stains that spread across the surface. This happens because of exposure to air, which carries dust, and moisture, which causes oxidation.

However, cleaning silver is simpler than it may seem, and if you store it carefully, you won’t have to worry about cleaning it for a long time.

Some specific products for cleaning silver are available in markets or specialized stores. But for those who want to clean without spending a lot, there are some homemade recipes that achieve results as good or better than special products. Make your silver look like new using these simple ingredients and tricks:

1. Toothpaste

Toothpaste is one of the oldest hacks that, despite being weird, really works. In its composition, the toothpaste often contains baking soda or other abrasive components, great for cleaning and to shine. Use the common white folders.

Step by step: Always use a soft sponge or brush. If you don’t have it, prefer to use a cloth, to avoid scratches on the pieces. Gently rub the silver pieces with the toothpaste. Then wash them with soap and water to remove any remnants and let them dry. You can also use a flannel or soft cloth to polish and make the silver even shinier.

2. Sodium bicarbonate

Baking soda is the perfect tool for cleaning silver objects. But be careful: do not use this method for very valuable pieces, as baking soda is very abrasive and can wear away the most superficial layer of silver, but nothing that will damage the piece. You can use this product in two ways:

Cleaning with bicarbonate and water: use bicarbonate paste mixed with water. Using sponge, brush or soft cloth, clean the entire surface of the object, wash and that’s it.

Boiling water bath with bicarbonate: for small pieces such as earrings, necklaces, barrettes, brooches, etc., mix a teaspoon of baking soda powder in a pan with half a liter of water, submerge the pieces and put it on the stove. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat and keep the pieces soaked in the solution for a few minutes. They come out clear without any effort. For a brighter effect, polish the pieces with flannel or a very soft cloth. Caution: Do not leave the parts in the solution for more than a few minutes. If too long, the silver can corrode and lose its natural luster. If you follow these instructions, everything will be perfect!

3. Salt

The simplest recipe made with the easiest ingredient to have on hand. Salt is also abrasive and recommended for various types of cleaning. To clean silver, you will only need a container and hot water.

Step by step: Leave the pieces to soak in a container with hot water and salt. After a while, the dark parts will naturally lighten. Then just rinse with water and dry well.

4. Aluminum foil

This tip is mainly for silver pieces with more details and crevices that are more difficult to access with sponges or cloths. Aluminum foil reacts with water and restores the full shine of the pieces.

Step by step: place the pieces in a container with boiling water and add pieces of aluminum foil. Let it boil for about twenty minutes or when the silver clears. Wait a few minutes until the pieces are clear, remove, wash with running water and dry well, polishing with a soft cloth if you want more shine.

5. Banana peel

This wonderful fruit is not just for eating! Banana peels also have many uses, including polishing silver and metal.

Step by step: Just rub the inside of the banana peel on the pieces to be polished and then polish it with a clean, soft cloth.

All these tips really work and are very simple to do. But never lose attention to the details like the time of action of each product. Even products sold in specialized stores can damage parts if used incorrectly.

how to conserve silver

There are also simple ways to protect your silver pieces so they last longer without the need for frequent cleaning. It is worth investing in these tips to keep your silver always clean, shiny and preserved, ready for use!

• Store in a dry place avoiding contact with cleaning products or other metals;
• Store jewelry or small pieces inside cloth or flannel bags, thus avoiding direct contact with moisture and dust;
• Avoid storing dirty parts or leaving them dirty for a long time. For dishes and cutlery, wash them after use and, if you can’t wash them right away, soak them in water to prevent the dirt from sticking even more;
• Do not clean or wash silver objects with a wire brush or sponges with high friction. Even a little, they can scratch the surface of the pieces;
• Store silverware wrapped in plastic wrap. Pack well leaving as little air as possible inside and without any pieces coming out. This will significantly reduce the amount of cleaning required. You can also use tightly closed (and squeaky clean!) plastic bags;
• Do not wash silver items in the dishwasher. Used products and washing dynamics can damage silver;
• Moisture is the biggest enemy of silver conservation, so always store the pieces completely dry and, if possible, with protection;
• Keep a soft flannel set aside exclusively for cleaning or polishing silver pieces.

With a little skill and care, your silver objects can last for a long time, with all their beauty. Take advantage of our tips to make them last longer and better!