How to Clean & Polish a Silver Plate

Care for your silver with proper cleaning and polishing.

Tarnish can ruin precious silver, destroying its beautiful sheen. Many culprits such as certain fabrics, humidity, foods and even oil from your fingers can cause tarnish to form on a silver plate. Properly clean and polish your beloved dinner pieces to combat unsightly stains. Adequate and appropriate care will extend the life of your silver and keep it at its best. Although tarnish prevention keeps your silver in tip-top shape, simple cleaning can restore a favorite plate to its finest form.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cotton cloths
• Phosphate-free cleaner
• Silver polish

Instructions

Clean

1. Line your kitchen sink with a soft towel. This will help prevent the metal of the sink from scratching your silver plate.

2. Clean your plate gently with a soft cloth, water and a phosphate-free cleanser.

3. Immediately dry your plate with a cotton towel.

Polish

1. Choose a silver polish with low abrasion. Many different companies such as 3M, Weiman, Hagerty's, and Wright's make quality polishes that work well for decorative plates. If you plan to eat off of the silver plate, choose a non-toxic or homemade polish such as toothpaste or baking soda and water.

2. Test the silver polish on a small area such as the back of the plate.

3. Rub the polish gently onto the plate with a soft cloth.

4. Rinse the plate or wipe away the polish with a damp cloth. Do not lay the plate inside your sink to rinse it as it could get scratched.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a non-scented detergent or soap, or one intended for use on silver only, for the best cleaning results.

• If you are using a store-bought cleaner or polishing product, follow all instructions on the label. Different products may have slightly different directions for use.

• Never clean your silver in the dishwasher. Dishwashers can scratch the delicate silver surface. Additionally, dishwasher detergents are too harsh for delicate silver and may cause dulling.

• Clean and rinse your silver plate extremely thoroughly if you plan to eat off of it. Many cleaners or polishes can be toxic or have harmful effects if swallowed. Look for any residue. Never leave any polish on the surface and always follow manufacturer's directions for cleaner or polish removal. It is best to use a non-toxic homemade cleanser/polish such as baking soda if you are using your plate as tableware.

References

• Society of American Silversmiths: Silver Care
• Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks: How to Polish Silver

Resources

• Choosing Voluntary Simplicity: Natural Tarnish Removers
• The Daily Green: The Surprisingly Simple Nontoxic Silver Polish