How to Clean a Silver Goblet

Cleaning silver goblets can make them look like new. There are homemade silver cleaning solutions, as well as commercial products, from which to choose. Learn how to clean a silver goblet to look clean with a pretty, even patina.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda Aluminum foil Table salt Soft cotton cloths Silvermate

Instructions

1. Make a thick paste of water and baking soda. Rub it on with a soft cotton cloth, then rinse in lukewarm water and polish dry using a second soft cotton cloth. This method buffs away most tarnish stains and neutralizes acidic deposits on the surface.

2. Create your own electrolytic silver cleaner by placing a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of your sink. Add enough hot or boiling water to cover the goblet, plus 1 tbsp. each of baking soda and salt. Allow the silver to soak for up to 10 minutes. This method gets deep carved crevasses clean and shiny. Do not use this method on silver that has an oxidized or french gray finish.

3. Coat the silver goblet with a layer of toothpaste. Rinse by running the goblet under warm water, working the toothpaste into a foam and allowing it to dissolve tarnish away. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get into deep grooves.

Tips & Warnings

• Silvermate is the No. 1 recommended cleaner for silver. Goblets can develop an uneven patina on the inside, acidic drinks can affect the silver, and, on the outside, hand oils can stain the silver. Silvermate polishes and cleans at the same time. Towel dry your silver after each cleaning so that it develops a nice patina.

• Never store your silver goblet with stainless-steel dishes; the chemical reaction from the two metals can destroy your silver.