Silver has long been cherished as a precious metal. Its soft luster brings a touch of elegance to ornaments, jewellery and high-value tableware. Silver is rather fragile when compared to some of the more commonly used metals such as steel, it can easily scratch and stain and is particularly susceptible to tarnishing.

Cleaning our silver pieces can seem a daunting task, especially those family heirlooms and items which are close to us. However fear not! You don’t have to be an expert to clean silver. Here are a few tips to put the sparkle back into your silver.

Removing Tarnish with Boiling Water & Baking Soda

Not recommended for items set with precious stones or any metal other than silver.  

1. Line the bottom of a heat-proof dish with aluminium foil (commonly found in supermarkets) shine side up.
2. Add 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tbsp. table salt and 1 gallon (4.5 ltr) of boiling water, stir well.
3. Immediately place the silver pieces in to the dish with hot water solution. Ensure the items are completely submerged and resting on the foil – the tarnish will start to disappear.
4. When the tarnish has been removed, carefully rinse the silver in warm water, dry and buff with a soft cloth.  

Jewellery

For items which cannot be submerged in boiling water, straight baking soda is best. Mix a tbsp. of backing soda with a small amount of water to make a thick paste. Gently rub the paste onto the silver. Rinse with warm water and polish dry with a soft cloth.

Toothpaste can also prove successful at removing tarnish from your more delicate silver items. Coat the silver with a small amount of toothpaste, add a few drops of cold water, use your hands to work the paste into a foam. An extra-soft toothbrush can be used for the stubborn tarnish in small crevices. Rinse under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.