How to Stop Polishing Silver

Using silver frequently reduces the need for polishing.

You don't need to polish your silver regularly to keep it looking good. Silver experts actually advise against frequent polishing. Aside from being a tedious chore, polishing silver can damage the pieces because silver polish is abrasive. It's particularly important to minimize polishing silver-plated items; over-polishing can eventually remove the silver-plate finish altogether. But that doesn't mean you have to settle for tarnish. If you use your silver frequently and clean and store it properly, you can have beautiful silver without polishing.

Things You'll Need

• Windex with vinegar, or Purell hand sanitizer
• Mild dish detergent
• Soft cloths
• Anti-tarnish strips
• Silica gel or chalk

Instructions

Clean Silver Properly

1. Line the sink with a dish towel or use a plastic dishpan to avoid scratching the silver on the sink.

2. Hold the silver against a white sheet of paper to check for a yellowish tint indicating the beginning of tarnish. If you see any discoloration, use Windex with vinegar or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer like Purell to remove it.

3. Wash the silver with a mild, phosphate-free dish detergent that is not lemon-scented.

4. Rinse the silver thoroughly to remove all traces of detergent and cleanser.

5. Dry the silver with a clean soft towel. Some silver experts recommend using a special silver polishing cloth, but any absorbent towel works well. Make sure the silver is completely dry before storing it.

Store Silver Properly

1. Select a drawer or storage case that is free of materials that emit tarnish-causing gases. Materials to avoid include wool, felt, rubber, latex and anything containing sulfur.

2. Seal the drawer with lacquer or polyurethane. Do not use latex paint.

3. Place anti-tarnish strips and silica gel or chalk to absorb humidity in the drawer. Replace the anti-tarnish strips every six months. For added protection, you can wrap the silver in anti-tarnish cloths. These special cloths are impregnated with materials to absorb tarnish producing gases before they reach they silver.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your silver frequently.

• Clean silver after handling to remove grime and dust that can attract tarnish.

• Do not allow silver to soak in soapy water overnight.

• If silver is already tarnished, don't bother polishing it before storing it. Wrap the tarnished pieces in acid-free tissue and store in sealed polyethylene bags; polish before using.

• Do not wash silver in the dishwasher; the harsh detergents will damage the finish.

References

• Society of American Silversmiths: Silver Care
• Fiske & Freeman: Caring for Antique Silver
• Canada Heritage: How to Care for Silver
• Sheffield Cutlery: Caring for Sterling Silver