Dear ATLA,
What's the best way to clean silver?
-Gloria
Hey Gloria - we are sure we will get crucified for this, but we love our Hagerty Silver Dip. Because of the funnel container you literally put a few pieces of silver into the included dipping basket and dunk away the tarnish in just seconds. We also recommend a good pair of Silversmith's gloves so you can clean and buff larger silver pieces like candle sticks without traces of fingerprints.
Of course there is also the old school Home-made way of boiling water, baking soda and salt. Good luck!
I like Wright's Silver Cream.
Evne though for some reason it smells like a natural gas leak.
IF your stuff is plated, don't let it linger in the dip.
If you want any patina or warmth left at all, DON'T use the dip! Wright's is good, as is the stuff that Restoration Hardware sells ... I can't remember what it is, I've had my bottle for so long. For quick, small jobs (a pin or ring I want to wear that's been sitting in the jewelry box), I use one of those polishing cloths.
Not supposed to use dips or the baking soda + aluminum foil approach. It takes away all the tarnish, including the patina down in the tiny details of the pattern. You want to keep that patina. It helps bring out the design.
Just use all your silver regularly and it won't get so tarnished. A quick wipe down with Wright's should take care of any spots that do develop.
For anyone returning to this page, Wal-Mart sells a two-layer silver polishing cloth that works WONDERS (and I love seeing the tarnish that comes off. Its only a few dollars and lasts quite a while. The box is red and the cloth is two shades of lavender (sewn together), found in the jewelry department