The Easiest Way to Polish Silver

Polish silver with white toothpaste.

Silver is a metal that holds its appearance for a short while, then begins to dull slightly when dust, body oils, food or other residue settles on the silver. Since this metal naturally holds an attractive shine and luster, the look of the silver will diminish when it is not taken care of properly. Actually, there is an easy way to polish silver that will restore the shine without requiring you to purchase expensive cleaning products.

Things You'll Need

• White non-gel toothpaste
• Soft cleaning cloths
• Baking soda
• Water
• Bowl
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Squeeze a dollop of white non-gel toothpaste onto your fingertips. Rub a thin layer of the toothpaste over the entire piece of silver. Let the toothpaste sit for 3 minutes.

2. Run the silver under warm water from a faucet.

3. Dry the silver with a soft cleaning cloth, wiping in small circles to restore shine.

4. Remove heavier buildup with a baking soda paste. Pour enough baking soda into a bowl to cover the entire piece of silver and then slowly pour in warm water, stirring with a spoon until a paste is formed.

5. Rub a thin layer of the paste over the silver. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

6. Rinse the silver with warm water. Dry with a cloth to restore shine.

References

• Care 2: Clean Your Silver with Household Basics