TIPS FOR POLISHING SILVER + MY FAVORITE SILVER CREAM

There are few things I dislike cleaning more than my silver pieces, but there really is nothing like the sparkle once I get it done! I’ve seen all kinds of ways to clean your silver over the years, and I’ll admit that I’ve even looked for shortcuts myself. Turns out, there are some crazy suggestions – ketchup, baking soda, toothpaste, even an aluminum foil method – all of which are super acidic and TERRIBLE for your silver pieces. Here are a few tips that I’ve used faithfully over the years that make my silver gleam and help me avoid having to polish frequently.

USE A SOFT CLOTH AND POLISH CREAM – There really is nothing better than a little elbow grease and a cream polish. I love Wright’s and have used it for years; it’s super gentle but gets every last bit of tarnish off my pieces and polishes to a beautiful sparkle. You can buy it here or find it at your grocery store.

SKIP THE ALUMINUM FOIL METHOD – I remember the first time I saw a reel on Instagram where a favorite blogger lined a tray with aluminum foil, placed her pieces inside and then sprinkled baking soda on top before pouring boiling water over. Her pieces looked incredible and it took less than five minutes for her to polish her entire collection of silver flatware! As it turns out, it’s highly abrasive and one of the quickest ways to wear down the silver plating on any piece.

USE A POLISH THAT SPECIFICALLY SAYS “FOR SILVER” – there are a ton of “metal polishes” out there, but unless it specifically says it’s safe for silver, I would pass.

USE HAND SANITIZER FOR SMALL TARNISH STAINS – Use a small cotton ball or pad or even a q-tip to rub a little hand sanitizer on a small tarnish spot when the rest of the piece is in pretty good shape already. Works in a pinch and keeps you from having to polish the whole piece! Be sure to rinse the piece with warm water after and dry with a clean, cotton cloth.

RUB GENTLY WITH CREAM POLISH, BUFF WITH A CLEAN CLOTH AND THEN WASH WITH WARM SOAPY WATER AND LET DRY COMPLETELY. Oils from your fingers will help speed up the tarnishing process, so I try not to touch the pieces too much once I’m done before I put them away.

HOW TO STORE SILVER – Keep your pieces in a cool place that won’t get too much humidity to help reduce the frequency with which you have to polish. I have a lot of pieces in my kitchen – trays, salt and pepper shakers, bowls – and I’m cooking constantly, so I tend to have to clean those pieces more often than candlesticks and smaller pieces that I store away in my hutch.