How to Remove Tarnish From a Silver Plate

Removing tarnish from a silver plate takes only a little effort and patience. Tarnish occurs when silver is exposed to the air and forms surface chemicals that tarnish its luster. Restore the shine with some gentle polishing.

Things You'll Need

• Silver polish
• Sponge
• Rag or paper towels
• Old toothbrush
• Rubber gloves
• Newspapers or other work surface protection
• Soap and water
• Large aluminum kettle
• Water
• 1/2 cup baking soda

Instructions

Cleaning with Polish

1. Protect your work-surface and your hands. Tarnish is produced by a chemical reaction and using commercial silver polish produces another one. Polishing silver leaves dark, washable marks on everything involved and some people find silver polish irritating to skin.

2. Apply a thin, even coat of polish with your sponge, and allow it to dry on the plate for about 15 minutes. Wipe it off with rags or paper towels. Repeat if necessary. If all the tarnish is gone, wash your plate in soapy water, then dry it.

3. Apply another thin coat of polish again, if you still have dark streaks or spots. Resist the temptation to apply polish thickly. It works only where it contacts the silver and accumulated polish can contribute to further tarnish. Repeat rubbing, washing and drying.

4. Use your old toothbrush to work polish into incised areas and ornate borders or trimmings if necessary. Rub gently--your brush will apply polish to creases, incised lines and ornate areas, not rub off all the tarnish. Rinse toothbrush while polish is drying and use it to remove dried polish. Avoid scrubbing hard, to keep from scratching silver.

Alternative for Severely Tarnished Silver

1. Bring some water to a boil in an aluminum kettle large enough to hold your plate. Remove kettle from heat, and slide plate gently into water. Add 1/4 cup baking soda. Water will froth and bubble.

2. Wait a few minutes until bubbles stop. Inspect plate and add a second 1/4 cup baking soda if you still see tarnish. Do not re-boil water--it is still hot enough. Wait until bubbles stop.

3. Pour off water and remove plate with rubber gloves. Usually, two treatments with soda are enough to remove stubborn, heavy tarnish. Rinse plate in soapy water and dry. Treat any remaining streaks or spots with silver polish, as above.

Tips & Warnings

• If your treasure is used strictly for display or is seldom used, consider purchasing specially-treated "silver cloth" to wrap it in when not on display. An old-fashioned housewife will tell you, of course, that the best tarnish prevention is frequent use. The routine washing and drying you give other serving-pieces will help keep tarnish at bay.

• Spots that remain after polishing or a soda bath may be caused by something other than conventional tarnish. On old silver-plated objects, remaining spots or streaks may be the result of over-energetic polishing in the past. Heavy rubbing may have damaged the silver surface itself. Marks on sterling silver may have other causes. In both cases, stop polishing and consult a professional to repair and avoid permanent damage.