Silver cleaner can remove tarnish and bring back the shine of sterling silver flatware and jewelry. Many commercial cleaners require soaking, but others are a quick and easy polishing solution. Choose a cleaner that is ammonia-free and scratch-resistant to protect your treasures. Also look for a silver cleaner that is safe to use on other metals, such as brass or copper, in case you have mixed metal pieces around your home.
A popular and effective DIY silver cleaner is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. This is a fast and affordable option that works well for most silver items, such as jewelry or small silver pieces. Just wrap your silver in aluminum foil, place it in a bucket or tub, and pour in the solution. Let it soak for 30 minutes or longer, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Another simple silver cleaner is a mixture of Windex and hydrogen peroxide. This is a great choice for removing dirt and bacterial build-up from silver jewellery, especially if it’s very tarnished. Soak the jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush and rinse it.
You can also use vodka as a soaking solution for silver. It won’t take out heavy tarnish, but it can be used to revive lightly tarnished jewellery. Simply soak your silver in the alcohol for a few minutes, then rub it with a soft cloth to clean and brighten it.