How to Get Spots Off a Silver-Plated Item

Silver-plated items are valuable and beautiful. When these items are cared for properly, they will stay beautiful for years. What's more, regular use is even recommended because this will reduce the polishing necessary to keep tarnish at bay.
Silver naturally tarnishes as it is exposed to air. Tarnish can appear as either yellow, brownish or black spots. If your silver-plated items have tarnished, then it's time to clean up these items and place them in places where they will be used regularly to prevent future tarnish.

Things You'll Need

• Dish Detergent
• Soft Cloths
• Water
• Silver Polish
• Salt
• Baking Soda
• Aluminum Foil

Instructions

1. Wash your silver-plated items in warm water with dish detergent. Dry each item completely with a dry, soft cloth.

2. Apply a small amount of silver polish to the silver-plated item with the soft cloth. Work the polish into the metal by rubbing straight along the grain of the silver. Avoid rubbing in circular motions. Remove the polish by buffing the silver with another clean cloth.

3. Make a chemical dip to clean extreme tarnish build-up from silver-plated items.
   Place hot water into the kitchen sink. Add two tablespoons of both baking soda and salt to the hot water and stir to incorporate. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and place it on the bottom of the sink. Place the tarnished silver-plated items into the sink and allow them to sit for up to 5 minutes. Remove the items, rinse them completely and dry with a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not polish silver-plated items more than two times per year.

• Never place silver-plated items in a dishwasher. They should always be washed by hand.

Resources

• Silver Polish