How to clean silver and silver plate without damaging it
Sterling silver and EPNS plated cutlery, trays and teapots clean up well, but the wrong method can strip plating, remove the patina buyers want, or damage handles.
By the Junkie team
Step by step
Step 1: Work out what it is
Look for hallmarks. A lion mark means British sterling. The word STERLING or 925 means solid silver. EPNS, EP, A1 or a maker's name with no hallmarks usually means plate, which is a thin silver layer over nickel silver.
Step 2: Wash first
Wash in warm, not hot, soapy water with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry straight away so it doesn't spot.
Step 3: Polish gently
Use a little polish on a soft cloth with straight back and forth strokes, not circles. On plate, go lightly on high spots and edges where the silver is thinnest.
Step 4: Leave some dark in the detail
Leave the tarnish in the recesses of patterns and engraving. It shows off the detail and looks right on old pieces.
Step 5: Wash off the polish
Wash again to remove polish residue, which otherwise speeds up tarnishing. Dry with a soft cloth.
Step 6: Store it well
Wrap in acid free tissue or a tarnish proof bag. Keep it away from rubber bands, newspaper and wool, which all tarnish silver fast.
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