Sterling silver shouldn’t be in hiding; you should display it on your table, shelves, or bookshelves for everyone to see. Periodically cleaning and maintaining your silver antiques and pieces will help keep them looking beautiful. And doing this isn’t complicated. Here are simple ways to clean your sterling silver.
Mild Dish Soap and Water
Regularly care for your sterling silver pieces by washing them with mild dish soap and water. This process will keep your items sufficiently shiny without harming the silver. Add a few drops of gentle dishwashing soap to warm water, and gently wash the pieces with a soft cloth.
Use a dry, soft cloth to remove all excess moisture, and ensure the sterling silver is completely dry before you put it away. Leaving any water will speed up the tarnishing process. Store the silver pieces in a cool, dry area in between uses.
Cleaning Tarnished Silver
You can create a homemade solution from pantry items. Grab aluminum foil, salt, and baking soda to clean large and small sterling silver pieces. You’ll see the grime and the tarnish disappear right before your eyes.
Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil covers every corner. Fill the pan with boiling water, and add a quarter cup of baking soda with two teaspoons of kosher salt. Stir everything and watch the bubbles form. Place a few sterling silver pieces in the pan, and be careful not to overcrowd it. Finally, allow the items to sit in the water and cool down for five minutes before using a delicate cloth to dry them thoroughly.
Sterling Silver and the Dishwasher
It’s a myth that you can’t place your sterling silver in the dishwasher. It’s great to know you can utilize the machine after you bring out your sterling silver for a dinner party. Ensure you put the dishwasher on a delicate or normal cycle, and use a detergent free of phosphates, lemon, and other citrus ingredients.
Sterling silver isn’t too challenging to clean, but you must follow some simple rules, or you could end up with damaged pieces. Routine preventative care will help keep your sterling silver antiques and items lustrous for years to come.
