Removing heavy tarnish. If your piece is more tarnished, use a commercial silver cleaner — some of them even provide tarnish protection. “Use the least abrasive product possible,” Herman says. “Polishes that are meant to be washed off are less abrasive, because they use a liquid to suspend the polishing ingredients.” Herman uses Blitz Silver Shine Polish. He also names 3M Tarni-Shield Silver Polish and Twinkle Silver Polish as safe, effective alternatives. Use a damp, cellulose sponge to apply the polish; however, if tarnish stubbornly remains, use a large cotton ball or cotton makeup pad with the smallest amount of polish necessary, moving in a back-and-forth motion. Herman warns that using the cotton ball technique with other, stronger polishes will damage the silver finish. Remember, haste makes waste — and patience is a virtue.
Removing light tarnish. To remove light tarnish, Herman recommends starting with a nonabrasive cleaner, such as diluted Dawn dishwashing liquid (phosphate-free, not lemon-scented), Purell original formula hand sanitizer, Method Glass + Surface Cleaner or Windex Vinegar Multi-Surface Cleaner. In fact, periodic washing of silver with nonabrasive cleaners will delay the onset of tarnish altogether, and you might be able to avoid using abrasive polishes. Tarnish is much easier to remove before it has had a chance to build up. “Your silver will show less wear, as it will be exposed to less abrasion than if you wait for more tarnish to form,” Herman says. He suggests applying hand sanitizer with a soft cotton ball on the silver first, since it is the least abrasive of all the silver cleaning methods. “If the hand sanitizer leaves a residue, rinse it off with warm water or remove it with a moistened cotton towel, then dry immediately to avoid spotting,” he says.
What not to use. “All products that have ‘metal polish’ in their name are much too harsh,” Herman says. “Oxidized brass, copper and especially aluminum require greater abrasion for successful results. Silver requires its own special polish to more gently accomplish this job.” He also warns against using many pantry-style solutions such as toothpaste (avoid “virtually all brands,” he says), Soft Scrub, baking soda and ketchup, which is too acidic. Fine jeweler and silver maker Tiffany & Co. advises customers against using anything with chlorine or bleach, because these chemicals will also accelerate tarnishing. Chemical tarnish removers, such as silver dip cleaners, are also a no-go. “They will absolutely ruin the original finish on solid silver and silver plate,” Herman says. “It will quickly strip the shine from silver, leaving a dull, lifeless appearance. They also allow tarnish to form more quickly.”
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