Silver tarnish mars the brilliant sheen with black and mottled streaks.
Silver tarnishes when the surface of the metal interacts with sulfur in the air. The resulting silver sulfide appears as a black or brownish streaking. Polishing silver on a regular basis keeps it from tarnishing, but if the silver has been sitting, chances are it needs cleaning. There are different ways to clean the metal depending on how badly tarnished it is.
Liquid Polish and Cleaning Wipes
For spotted and tarnished silver with medium to light soiling, liquid polish can clean the surface without the need for abrasives or heavy effort. Some liquids can be used to dip the silver while very minor tarnish can be cleaned by a cloth wet down with the solution. Some liquids contain a protectant to further repel tarnish. Wipes are a product that employs a cloth pre-saturated with the tarnish removing liquid. These are good for between the tines of a fork or small detail areas where some rubbing needs to be done but polish will be hard to remove.
Creams and Pads
Polish kits with a rub-on cream compound and sponge applicators work well for heavier tarnishing. Care needs to be used so the silver plating isn't rubbed off of the surface of the silver. Cream polishes leave a good shine. The creams are usually left on the item for a few minutes to allow the silver sulfide to be reversed, and the rubbing action then buffs the metal and restores the original shine. Other kits come with pre-loaded sponges and cloths to remove the cream once activated. Take care not to use things such as toothpaste. While some say it works well, it can be abrasive and scratch the surface of your silver.
Foams, Pads, Gloves and Pre-treated Cloths
There are gloves, cloths and pads designed to rub the tarnish away either with a polishing cream or compound already in the material. The gloves are handy as they are already on the hands and gentle rubbing is the only necessary action. Gloves come with a polishing cream applied to the gloves, and can be washed after use. Treated cloths and pads work in the same manner, but are thrown away once they are dirtied. Another easy method is a foam that is applied with fingers or an applicator. The foam is a creamy substance but once applied no rubbing is involved; it is simply rinsed away.
Dip
A common home method to dip the silver without damage is a non-abrasive and easy solution for heavy tarnish. Line the bottom of a sink, glass baking dish or plastic container with aluminum foil. Be sure the container is deep enough to immerse the silver items. Pour boiling water into the container. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons each of salt and baking soda. Use less for a smaller container, more for larger. Immerse the silver into the solution, making sure the silver is resting on the foil. If there are several pieces, be sure they are touching. The silver sulfide will be attracted to the foil and you can watch as the tarnish disappears off the silver.
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