How to clean tarnished silver?

To clean tarnished silver, HG offers solutions such as HG silver polish, HG silver quick-dip and HG polish cloth. These provide effective ways to make your silver items shine. You can also use household products like washing-up liquid, ammonia, toothpaste and aluminium foil, although these do not always deliver optimal results. Silver tarnishes through exposure to air, moisture, sulphur-containing substances and contact with skin. Regular cleaning and proper storage help prevent tarnishing.

HG solutions for cleaning tarnished silver

To clean and restore the shine to tarnished silver, HG offers these solutions:

• Use HG silver polish to remove tarnish and restore shine to your silver items. The specially selected polishing compounds in this cream make polishing effortless and are safe for many silver items when used correctly.
• Immerse suitable silver jewellery, cutlery or coins in HG silver polish for quick cleaning. Within just 5 to 10 seconds, your items can regain their original shine and colour.
• Buff your silver with the HG polish cloth to maintain shine and reduce fingermarks. This specially impregnated cloth also works well on lightly tarnished items.

For more information on cleaning silver, visit HG's silver cleaning guide.

Household methods for cleaning tarnished silver

Several household products can help clean tarnished silver, although results are not always optimal and some carry risks. Here are some suggestions:

• Mix warm water with washing-up liquid and gently clean the silver using a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Immerse the silver in a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of ammonia. Leave it to soak for several minutes, then wipe with a soft cloth. Use ammonia with care and ensure good ventilation.
• Rub the silver with white, non-gel toothpaste and gently polish using a soft toothbrush. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. Be aware that toothpaste can be abrasive.
• Place the silver in a bowl with hot water, aluminium foil and salt. The chemical reaction can help reduce tarnish. Rinse the silver thoroughly and dry carefully afterwards.

While these methods can help, it is important to note they do not always deliver the desired results and may not suit all types of silver. If in doubt, consult a professional to clean valuable, plated or antique silver items.

What causes silver tarnish

Silver is a beautiful precious metal, but it can tarnish and develop a coating over time. This happens for various reasons:

• Exposure to air and moisture: Silver reacts with sulphur particles in the air, causing it to gradually discolour and tarnish.
• Contact with certain substances: Silver can react with sulphur-containing materials such as rubber, wool and food, for example eggs and mustard, leading to faster tarnishing.
• Skin contact: Perspiration and skin oils can speed up silver tarnishing.
• Lack of regular maintenance: If you do not regularly clean and polish your silver items, tarnish will build up and become harder to remove.

To prevent your silver items from tarnishing, clean them regularly with a soft cloth and a mild silver-specific cleaner. Store your silver in an airtight box with an anti-tarnish strip when not in use. Avoid wearing silver jewellery while swimming, playing sports or during other activities where it is exposed to perspiration, chemicals or water. With proper care, your silver will remain beautiful and lustrous for years to come.