Asked on Dec 01, 2017

How to clean silver plated

Jose Rivera
by Jose Rivera
  8 answers
  • William William on Dec 02, 2017

    I sell a lot of silver/siverplate on Ebay. Jewelry, silverware, serving sets. Silver polish and dips tend to remove some of the metal. The foil method doesn't work that great and still leaves a grey film that still needs to be removed. I use white toothpaste (not gel)and a damp toothbrush. For large items I use a damp cloth. Also works on copper, brass, gold, porcelain, ceramics, sneakers, plastics, etc. For my sales I needed one product for cleaning everything.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 02, 2017

    plain white toothpaste

  • I've tried the foil method and I agree with William, it just doesn't work that well. I used a metal polish that is a cream and it worked the best of any other diy method.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Dec 02, 2017

    I use a jar of silver polish I’ve had forty years. It takes so little! I bought it in a jewelry store that sold silverware and punch bowls, as well as rings. Of course, I keep my silver plate covered in plastic, in boxes, until I need it. I used to have these sheets of foam paper with tissue on one side that were packed with the silver plate, but they gradually got torn and thrown out. I wish I knew what magic powers those sheets had. 😇

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Dec 02, 2017

    Because silver plate will wear off I use a gentle polisher that won't scratch like some DIY products. I'm 73 and still have some of my grandmother's silver that I keep polished. It's well over 100 years old. I only use Wright's Silver Cream. Beware of the liquid polish - it is very strong, and will take a layer of silver off.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Oct 02, 2022

    These are many ways to clean your silver, try one of these:

    No more tarnishing with aluminum

    Boil 4 cups of water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and some aluminum foil. Place silverware in for 10 seconds then remove with kitchen tongs.

    Ketchup isn’t just for eating

    Tarnished silver can be polished with ketchup using a paper towel – for silver that has crevices, use a toothbrush.

    Kill two birds with one stone

    When using Windex to clean your windows, spray some on a rag and use it to scrub your silver.

    Brush your silver with toothpaste

    Use circular motions to brush non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste onto silver. Leave on for five minutes before washing off with water.

    Use soda for tarnished silver

    Fill a plastic bowl with lemon-lime soda and place slightly tarnished silver in it for one hour. Rinse and dry with a paper towel.