This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2019.

Soaked the whole sheet in this liquid for a few minutes, and the tarnish magically disappeared, leaving clean silver pads again. You’ll need an application cloth as well as water to rinse away the dirt, tarnish, and excess solution. We recommend a microfiber cloth, especially if your items have small pieces, intricate designs, or delicate areas. Not only will the microfiber provide a soft surface to buff with, but it can also reduce lint and other exposures. You may also want to use scrubbing brushes from W. J. Hagerty, sold separately, which are soft enough for silver pieces. We also reached out to Laura Elizabeth, owner and designer of luxury jewelry line Laura Elizabeth Jewelry. “When silver is exposed to oxygen or moisture, it tarnishes,” says Elizabeth whose creations are made of recycled brass, 14 karat gold, and sterling silver. Because metals don’t mix well together, she suggests keeping silver, gold, and rose gold separate when cleaning. First off, Tarn-X Tarnish Remover is some heavy-duty tarnish remover so only use it if your piece is so tarnished that any other cleaners won’t get the job done. If you do have some really stubborn buildup, Tarn-X tarnish remover may be the solution. To use it, apply it with a cotton ball to your silver pieces and work it into the silver. The tarnish should come off onto the cotton ball. Then, rinse the piece following the application. Never soak the piece in Tarn-X, or let it sit on the surface for more than 2 minutes. SVHC is a substance (identified by the European Chemicals Agency) that may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment. SVHC are defined in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (“the REACH Regulation”) and include substances which are:To use Wright’s silver polish, put a small amount on a sponge or cloth. Rub it onto your silver items, taking special care to get it into small crevices and designs. You may need to work it in more to get rid of tarnish or older build-up. Rinse the excess off and buff with a clean cloth. You'll need two cloths, one for application and one to buff your silver to a high shine. This foam cleanser is great to have on hand after you use your silver pieces, such as serving dishes or flatware. Tarnish is often caused by food residue on silver and this foam works in place of dish soap to target those contaminants and provide a protective barrier. It also shines your silver items to a high shine.

And, of course, you should wear gloves and ventilate your space when using this cleaner. When tarnish comes off, hydrogen sulfide is created, which can be pretty smelly. It’ll stink just like rotten eggs. Because the fumes are so strong, it’s advisable to work in smaller areas and allow yourself to get fresh air between applications. It’s also important to rinse each item thoroughly after you use Tarn-X. While this stuff is a miracle worker, you need to know that you can’t use this solution on gold or diamonds. Just read the instructions thoroughly before using. Look for silver polish that is cost effective and won’t require a lot to treat your silver items. Liquids and creams often come in smaller containers—you only need a small amount to be effective. Dips are usually larger containers because you will need to pour out the solution into another dish to submerge your items. Silver jewelry cleaners are often the smallest because they have trays built in that can hold delicate pieces, like dainty chains and stud earrings. Whether you’re cleaning a gorgeous pendant or your grandma’s heirloom flatware, a great silver polish gets rid of grime and tarnish and brings a special sparkle to your favorite pieces. Look for a silver polish that is easy to apply and has clear instructions for its use. Some can be used on a variety of precious metals while others are designed specifically for silver. We spent hours researching silver polishes to find the very best one while considering factors such as type, formula, and function.

Goddards Silver Dip and Foam

Liquid silver polishes are common because you can work them into large or small areas, as well as intricate designs. They can be applied with a soft cloth or brush, then rinsed away. Creams and foams are very similar but usually take more elbow grease to work into the silver. While dips can create additional mess and aren’t always as effective on tarnish, they are the easiest to use—all you have to do is submerge your pieces in the solution. For our Best Budget, we’re loving Goddard’s Silver Cleaner Dip, which is super cost effective and great for items in bulk. A simple DIY soap and water solution can do a lot to clean and shine silver pieces. Most are gentle enough to use on silver, although you should be careful to use a non-scratch sponge or cloth. Always try a new cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it will not damage your treasures. A microfiber cloth can also help create a highly polished shine on your silver.