Ideally, you should restore your silver’s shine using special silver cleaning agents, silver polishes, or polishing cloths. Always make sure to use gentle cleaning products to avoid damaging your silver.
Silver is not only a unique material but also a staple in many households. Whether you own fine silverware, silver coins and candlesticks, or decorative silver jewelry, cleaning silver is something you’ll eventually need to address. In our blog article, you’ll learn how to care for silver gently, which products are best suited for tarnished silver, and what you should avoid.
Why Does Your Silver Tarnish?
Silver items can develop an unsightly discoloration over time, known as “tarnish.” This occurs because silver reacts with sulfur compounds in the air. Specifically, when silver comes into contact with hydrogen sulfide – which is present in our air – silver sulfide forms. This compound is exactly what causes the dark discolorations on the surface of silver.
By the way: Heating, proteins, and fruit acids can also trigger these discolorations.
Better Not: Cleaning with Aluminum Foil, Salt, or Citric Acid
There are numerous tips and tricks circulating online on how to clean your silver with simple household remedies. However, we advise against this. These cleaning methods are all too harsh for the delicate silver surface. Abrasive materials or improper cleaning techniques can lead to scratches or other damage to your silver. Instead of household remedies, we recommend gentler, specially developed cleaning products that make cleaning your silver easy and hassle-free.
Your Silver Has Tarnished – How to Bring Back the Shine
“Silver tarnishes when it’s not used,” as my father and founder of our silver workshop used to say. And he was right; using silver remains the best way to keep it gleaming. Alternatively, cleaning with specially designed polishes, soaps, and cloths is an excellent choice. Here’s a quick guide on how to restore your tarnished silver:
- Using a silver cleaning glove makes it quick and easy to clean large silver surfaces effortlessly.
- For smaller silver items, a handy silver polishing cloth may do the trick.
- Our Altonaer silver soap is particularly gentle on your silver and won’t wear down the silver layer.
- With a nourishing silver polish, simply apply it to your silver and polish with a soft cloth to effortlessly remove dark tarnish, making your silver shine like new.
Tip: Don’t discard your silver if it appears unsightly or damaged. We can help restore and preserve the value of your treasures. Find more information on this topic on our “Silver Restoration” page.
Cleaning Silver in the Dishwasher – What You Need to Know
In principle, there’s nothing wrong with cleaning your silverware in the dishwasher, even though many dishwasher detergents no longer have “silver protection.” Tip: A product that still offers this protection is Finish Infinity Shine.
However, be aware that the dishwasher cannot remove tarnished spots on your silver. Fork tines and spoons are often more affected by protein or acidic foods. In such cases, it helps to treat the silverware with a silver soap beforehand. We also believe a little patina adds character to silver, giving it its unique charm.
One last important note about older silver knives: these are often not dishwasher-safe, as the blades may come loose at high temperatures. If you want your knives to be dishwasher-safe, we’re happy to help in our workshop.
Good to Know: Preventing Silver Tarnish
The best cleaning is often the one that isn’t needed at all. That’s why it’s wise to take preventive measures to keep silver from tarnishing. Proper silver storage is essential. Here are some tips:
- Store your silver in a dry, dark place to prevent tarnish and oxidation.
- Protect silver from scratches and tarnish by covering it with a cutlery cover or using cutlery wraps.
- Store silver separately to prevent scratches and damage; drawer-mounted cutlery holders or cutlery cases are ideal.
- Clean silver thoroughly and gently after use to remove dirt and residues that may accelerate tarnishing.
Want to Clean Your Silver Teapot?
If you own a silver teapot, it’s essential to clean it regularly from the inside to remove the dark stains caused by black tea. For tips & tricks on how to do this effectively, check out our article “Cleaning Your Silver Teapot”.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About "Cleaning Tarnished Silver"
You can use baking soda to clean the inside of your silver teapot wonderfully and remove the dark tea stains. However, please do not use it to clean the exterior of your silver pieces – it could damage the delicate surfaces. It’s better to use silver cleaning products for this purpose.
Care for your silver by polishing it regularly, using special storage solutions, and cleaning it after use with a product like silver soap.
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