Seven Steps to Clean Your Sterling Silver

No matter how new or beautiful your sterling silver jewelry or flatware is, over time it will become dull, dirty or tarnished from skin oils, dust, moisture and corrosion. Thankfully, there are some simple and effective cleaning techniques you can use to improve the look and luster of your favorite sterling silver pieces. Here’s how to properly clean and care for a sterling silver piece of jewelry and flatware set.

Sterling silver is a soft, malleable metal and can be easily scratched or damaged. Therefore, when cleaning silver jewelry, use polishes that are specifically formulated to remove tarnish from silver jewelry. Some companies provide polishing cloths, silver storage pouches, or both with the purchase of their jewelry. Also, avoid exposing your silver jewelry to harsh chemicals, bleach and chlorine, as these can damage the silver.

Another great way to clean your sterling silver jewelry is with Windex®. Yes, Windex®. You can either spray the Windex® directly on the item to be cleaned or on a soft-bristled toothbrush or soft cloth. Gently brush the item to clean and then rinse under lukewarm water and dry the item with a soft cloth. Use a silver polishing cloth once the item is completely dry to help restore the luster and shine.

To prevent your silver jewelry from tarnishing and scratching, store items in a jewelry pouch specifically designed for sterling silver jewelry or a separate compartment of your jewelry box.

A bit about tarnish

Sterling silver, and other metals, including copper, brass, and aluminum, require regular cleaning and tarnish removal. Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms over time from the metal’s exposure to hydrogen sulfide, normally present in the air. Tarnish can also develop after contact with wool, felt, or certain foods. This electrochemical process is called oxidation.

Tarnish usually forms as a dull grey or black coating over the silver. Interestingly, tarnish is self-limiting, which means it only affects the top few layers of the metal. The outer layers of tarnish actually seal and protect the underlying layers, which is why a good cleaning can restore silver to its shiny original state.

Before you start cleaning flatware

You want to clean your silver flatware, not damage it. To avoid doing so, use a non-abrasive silver cleaner that requires rinsing after use. Silver cleaners that require rinsing are usually less abrasive, so look for brands that state the cleaner is "non-abrasive."

Do not use chemical dips for cleaning sterling silver flatware, as they contain corrosive acids. Also, do not put your sterling silver flatware in the dishwasher.

For supplies, you’ll need a plastic dishpan, soft cotton dish towel, cotton balls, non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free hand dishwashing liquid, white vinegar and/or non-abrasive silver cleaner, silver polishing rouge cloth, and a dry artist’s horsehair paintbrush.

Steps to clean your sterling silver

1. First, place the flatware in the plastic dishpan. Add a teaspoon of non-lemon-scented, phosphate-free hand dishwashing liquid and fill the pan with warm water. Wash the flatware with a soft dish towel to remove oils, fingerprints, and debris.
2. Rinse the flatware with warm water and dry with the soft cotton towel.
3. Next, clean light tarnish by wiping the area lightly with a cotton ball moistened with white vinegar or non-abrasive cleaner. Dry the flatware with the towel.
4. To remove heavier tarnish, apply a small amount of non-abrasive silver cleaner to a soft cloth and rub the flatware gently from side to side, or up and down. Do not use circular motions, and do not apply an excess amount of cleaner to the silver—use only the amount needed to remove the tarnish.
5. Rinse the cleaner off the flatware, and wipe off any dried cleaner with the towel. To remove residual cleaner from nooks or patterns, use a dry artist's horsehair paintbrush.
6. Rinse the cleaned flatware with warm water and dry with a soft cotton towel.
7. Polish the sterling silver dinnerware with a silver polishing rouge cloth to restore the silver's shine and luster.