How to Clean Silver With a Homemade Cleaning Solution

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.
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Updated on 08/08/22
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep
Emily Estep is a plant biologist and fact-checker focused on environmental sciences. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade.
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silver cleaning

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 - 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5

If you love the look of silver pieces but don't enjoy polishing them to keep them looking their best, there is a DIY cleaning method that doesn't require any elbow grease.

When tarnished silver, salt, baking soda, aluminum foil, and water are combined, a chemical reaction occurs known as ion exchange. During this process, the tarnish on the silver (silver sulfide) is released and becomes aluminum sulfide on the foil. If the silver is tarnished enough, you may see brown or yellowish tarnish flakes on the aluminum foil. The process can be used on sterling silver or silver-plated items.

How Often to Clean Silver

Silver should be cleaned at least once a year, though silver pieces may need to be cleaned more frequently depending on how often you use them and how they are stored. For silver pieces you use or wear daily, cleaning every other month is usually sufficient. Tarnish does not go away on its own and cleaning is easiest if the piece is only slightly dull or tarnished.

Before You Begin

Warning

While this cleaning method will remove tarnish, it can also harm your silver by loosening glued areas and removing so much of the patina that ornate patterns are lost. It is not recommended for use with fine silver or tarnished jewelry that is set with gemstones or pearls.

When the silver is added to the cleaning solution, the chemical reaction will create fumes (hydrogen sulfide) that smell like rotten eggs. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area. You will also be using boiling water so take precautions to prevent accidents.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 Aluminum or glass pan large enough to submerge the silver
  • 1 Tea kettle or pot for boiling water
  • 1 Stovetop
  • 1 Microfiber cloth
  • 1 Plastic or wooden tongs

Materials

  • 1 Aluminum foil
  • 1 Table salt
  • 1 Baking soda
  • 1 Boiling water

Instructions

1:14

Watch Now: How to Clean Silver Without Chemicals

How to Clean Silver with a Homemade Solution

materials for cleaning silver
The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  1. Line Pan or Dish

    Line the bottom of an aluminum pan or glass baking dish with aluminum foil. You can use a plastic tub but be sure that it will not be damaged by the boiling water.

    Tip

    If you select a pan that can be placed directly on the stovetop, you can create the cleaning solution, submerge the silver, and heat the water to boiling on the stovetop. This method works best for heavily tarnished items that need to stay in the heated solution for a longer period.

  2. Add the Silver

    Place your silver pieces on top of the aluminum foil. Make sure they are touching the aluminum foil but the pieces themselves should not touch each other.

    dropping silver pieces into the water
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

  3. Create the Cleaning Mixture

    Sprinkle two tablespoons of table salt and two tablespoons of baking soda into the container.

    adding baking soda to the basin of water
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

  4. Add the Boiling Water

    Pour enough boiling water into the pan to completely cover the silver.

    filling a container lined in foil with water

     The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  5. Soak the Silver

    After a few minutes, turn over the silver pieces using a wooden or plastic utensil (tongs work best) so that as many surfaces of the item touch the foil as possible.

    Allow the silver to soak for two to three minutes on each side. Soak as long as five minutes for heavily tarnished items. If the water cools down during this process, add more hot water and refresh the baking soda and salt.

    letting the silver soak
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

  6. Remove, Rinse, and Buff the Silver

    Remove the silver items, being careful not to drag them across the foil. Rinse them with fresh water and buff dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

    carefully removing silver items
    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

Tips to Keep Your Silver Clean Longer

  • Don't be afraid to use your silver jewelry and silverware—silver that's used more often tends to tarnish less.
  • Store all silver items in a cool, dry place. Higher humidity increases the likelihood of tarnishing.
  • When storing silver, keep it free from moisture by wrapping it in acid-free tissue or fabric that deters tarnish, such as unbleached cotton, silver cloth, or tarnish-resistant flannel.
  • Use chalk or silica bags in the storage area to help absorb moisture that can speed tarnish development.
  • For a quick polish, make a paste of baking soda and water. Dip a soft cloth in the paste and gently rub it on the silver. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as tarnish is transferred. Rinse well and dry the silver with a microfiber cloth.
Missing the Midas Touch? Keep Your Gold Jewelry Gleaming
Originally written by
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home. She's covered money-saving advice and tricks for numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among others. She is the owner of "My Frugal Home," a money-saving, frugal living how-to guide.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Finishing Techniques in Metalwork. Philadelphia Museum of Art