7 Ways to Clean Silver Till It Shines

There are special polishes for cleaning silver that you can buy at the store. They’re suitable for high-quality jewelry because they eliminate the possibility of damaging it. If the jewelry is especially expensive, it’s better to have it cleaned by professionals. For simpler items, everyday home remedies can be used.

5-Minute Crafts is covering 7 ways to remove both simple and difficult stains from silver.

Things to remember

• Silver is a soft metal and it’s quite ductile. Abrasive harsh materials aren’t suitable for cleaning it, so be careful.

• If you need to add shine, use lemon juice.

• You can polish silver items with a piece of flannel, suede, or wool fabric.

• If you need to clean hard-to-reach areas, use a cotton swab or a soft toothbrush.

Method 1: soaking in baking soda and salt

What you’ll need:

• A dish or a washtub
• Aluminum foil
• Table salt, 2 tbsp
• Baking soda, 2 tbsp
• Hot water
• A soft rag

How to clean:

1. Take a dish or a washtub and place some aluminum foil on its bottom. Pour hot water into it.

2. Add salt and baking soda to the water. Then place your silver pieces right on the foil.

3. Let it soak for 2-3 minutes (and up to 5 minutes for heavy stains).

4. Carefully remove the items from the water and dry them with a soft rag.

Method 2: cleaning with toothpaste

What you’ll need:

• Toothpaste
• A toothbrush — but if the silver is too soft, it’s better to use a piece of fabric.

How to clean:

1. Moisten a toothbrush with warm water and apply toothpaste to its bristles.

2. Clean the surface of the silver item with light movements.

3. Rinse off the remaining toothpaste from the item under running water.

Method 3: soaking with aluminum foil and salt

What you’ll need:

• A piece of aluminum foil that’s large enough to wrap around your silver item

• Salt, 2 tbsp

• A glass of water

How to clean:

1. Mix the water and salt.

2. Wrap the silver in the aluminum foil and place it in a glass. Leave it overnight.

3. Take out the silver item and remove the foil. Rinse the item under running water.

Method 4: boiling with aluminum foil and baking soda

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda, 1 tbsp
• Aluminum foil
• Water
• A saucepan
• Thread

How to clean:

1. Pour water into the saucepan and start heating.

2. When the water boils, crumple a piece of aluminum foil and put it into the saucepan.

3. Add baking soda and stir well.

4. Tie a thread to the silver item and dip it into the boiling water. Wait a couple of minutes.

5. Take out the silver item. If the silver isn’t clear enough, repeat the previous step. Then rinse the item under running water.

Method 5: soaking in sour milk

What you’ll need:

• A deep bowl
• Sour milk
• A piece of soft fabric

How to clean:

1. Pour sour milk into a bowl so that the whole silver piece can be immersed in it.

2. Immerse the silver item in the milk and let it soak for 15 minutes.

3. Take out the silver item from the bowl and wipe it with a soft cloth, removing milk from its surface.

Method 6: cleaning with egg yolks

What you’ll need:

• 3 egg yolks
• A plate
• A spoon
• A piece of soft fabric

How to clean:

1. Boil 3 chicken eggs, remove the yolks, place them on the plate, and mash them thoroughly with a spoon.

2. Place the silver item in the mashed yolks. Leave it there for 6-8 hours.

3. Take out the silver item from the plate and wipe it with a piece of soft fabric, removing the yolk.

Method 7: soaking in sparkling water

What you’ll need:

• A glass
• Sparkling water

How to clean:

1. Pour enough sparkling water into the glass so that it covers the silver item completely.

2. Put the silver item in the glass and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

3. Take out the item. If the dirt hasn’t completely come off, keep it in the water for a bit longer.