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. With Elizabeth’s advice in mind, our top pick, Wright’s Silver Cleaner and Polish Cream, is gentle enough to use on a variety of metals, but still super effective at removing tarnish, cleaning dirt, and polishing silver. So, get ready to see your silver jewelry and serveware sparkle! Here, you’ll find the best silver polishes on the market. 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 polish is safe for sterling silver, plated silver, jewelry, antique silver, and flatware. It also has an anti-tarnish agent. After you use it on your silver pieces, they are less likely to develop tarnish in the future. This cream protects as well as cleans and shines. Price at time of publish: $9 This solution is ideal for pieces with hard-to-reach places, such as in between the tines of a fork. However, if you use it for flatware, make sure that you thoroughly rinse with soap and hot water before using them to eat. It will remove some tarnish but for antique pieces, you may need to work it off with cream first. Price at time of publish: $15 The wipes remove tarnish and provide a barrier that protects against future tarnishing. They also polish and shine. While the wipes are dry, you’ll still need to wet your pieces before using them in order to get the best results. Then rinse and dry to see the high shine. If you’re using it on flatware, the rinsing step is especially critical because the wipes contain chemicals. Price at time of publish: $10 It can be used to clean and polish antique silver, sterling silver, plated silver, and even gold. It is extra-mild so you don’t need to worry about it irritating your hands while you apply it, rinse it away, and dry your pieces. While it’s smart to always wear gloves, this foam is milder than many other silver polishes. For some heavily tarnished items, you may need to scrub a bit, especially if they have intricate designs. An old toothbrush or a soft cloth can make this step much easier. Price at time of publish: $26 It’s important to note that you should not put any polishing cloth in the laundry. They have a polishing solution in the fibers and washing them will remove that benefit. If the cloth does get dirty, you will need to replace it. You should also replace the cloth periodically because frequent use will use up the embedded polishing agents. Each cloth can be used for months or even years, depending on how often you polish your pieces and how many you have. Price at time of publish: $14 To use this cleaner, you can submerge your silver jewelry and rinse the dirt and tarnish away. Keep in mind that it is not safe for all types of jewelry and settings, including those with pearls or other porous stones. Connoisseurs also has a silver-safe polishing cloth that can let you shine and polish just the silver parts of your jewelry—although you’ll still want to take great care when cleaning your treasured jewels. Price at time of publish: $6 The formula contains an anti-tarnish agent. And it works like magic! This creates a barrier that prevents future tarnish from forming. While washing your flatware with a cleaner made for silver immediately after using it is the best way to prevent tarnish, the barrier makes cleaning in between uses less frequent! And we’re all about working smarter, not harder! Price at time of publish: $9 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. Price at time of publish: $12 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 toxic and 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. Price at time of publish: $9
Amount
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.
Ingredients and Compatibility
Silver cleaner and polish should be ammonia-free and scratch-resistant. Many jewelry cleaners and other metal polishes are not safe for silver because they can scratch or damage the finish. Look for something that is specially formulated for silver. That means that it may not be best or safe for other metals, although some silver polishes can be used on pewter, chrome, copper, or even gold. Always check for the recommended use before trying it on a new surface.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. “There are several ways to prevent tarnish with jewelry,” says Elizabeth. “One way is to store it in a cool, dry place. When silver is exposed to oxygen or moisture it tarnishes. Place your jewelry in a zip top baggie. Squeeze all the oxygen out. This protects your jewelry from moisture as well as any environmental issues such as touching other metal and perfumes.” Having grown up helping her mother polish an inherited silver tea service periodically, she was thrilled to find options that didn’t require hours of scrubbing. When researching the best silver polishes, she looked for products that could spiff up small pieces like jewelry as well as larger serving pieces and heirlooms. She also talked to jewelry designer Laura Elizabeth, who showcases sterling silver along with other precious metals in her line of sustainable luxury jewelry.
