How to Clean Silver-Plated Items Easily and Naturally

Assess the Silver Item

Before you clean silver, evaluate the basic characteristics of the item. Is it solid silver or silver plate? Is it old? How much is it worth? If you inherited antique silver, check with a local antique dealer to determine its value. If you want to sell the item, the dealer can help you decide whether it's best to leave the item in as-is condition.

Restoring silver is a hotly debated topic in the antique market. Some people think polishing causes damage and reduces the value, while others want the item to look as new as possible. Some leave only a portion of the tarnish intact to show character. 

If you aren't planning on reselling the silver-plated object any time soon, then how you restore it is entirely up to your discretion.

Gather Required Supplies

You'll need roughly 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda for every gallon of water used. Pick a bucket or tub that is large enough for the silver to lay flat and be covered in the liquid.

Line a Bucket With Aluminum Foil

Place a few sheets of aluminum foil on the bottom of your container, and make sure that the shiny side is facing up. For this process to work, you'll need the silver to be directly touching the foil.

Sprinkle Salt and Baking Soda on Foil

Sprinkle equal parts salt and baking soda on top of the aluminum foil.

Add Boiling Water

Bring water to a boil, and carefully pour it into the container. Make sure the bucket you're using is deep enough to withstand the fizzing that occurs when the water hits the baking soda and salt. Boil enough water to cover the items you will be cleaning.

Allow Silver to Soak

Use tongs to add the silver into the container. In most instances, you'll notice the tarnish starts to dissolve immediately. If some tarnish is stubborn, add more salt, baking soda, or water. Ensure the aluminum foil is in direct contact with the silver item. 

Some people let their silver sit for just a minute or two. Others leave it to soak for up to a half hour. You'll be able to tell how long your silver needs to soak based on how much tarnish is still left on the piece. To see if the silver is ready, carefully remove it from the hot mixture with tongs, and wipe with a soft rag. If there is still tarnish, place it back in the bucket for additional soaking.

Rinse and Dry

After removing the object from the bucket, rinse it thoroughly with clean water. The goal is to remove any leftover salt and baking soda residue that could speed up the tarnishing process in the future.

Dry the piece with a soft rag. And make sure there is no moisture left, which could also cause the silver to tarnish again rather quickly.