Learning how to clean and polish silver at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re caring for precious antique silver jewelry or a sterling silver plate set, silver can develop tarnish and lose its shine over time. The right cleaning and polishing method can remove that buildup and restore the bright finish without making silver care a hassle.

Let’s walk through how to clean tarnished silver and polish it back to a bright shine with Flitz's Polish Paste.

What Do You Need to Clean and Polish Silver?

• Water-based polish (we do not recommend silicone based products as they leave behind a greasy, oily film)
• Microfiber cloth (recommended to prevent scratching)

How to Polish Silver at Home

1. Start with a clean, dry silver surface. Wipe away loose dirt, dust or residue, then apply a thin coat of water-based polish to the silver jewelry, flatware or other silver piece.
2. For heavier tarnish, let the polish sit for up to 5 minutes before polishing. For light tarnish, you can begin polishing right away with a microfiber cloth. 
3. Utilize the microfiber cloth to rub away the built up tarnish.
4. If there are hard to reach corners or divots that the microfiber cloth is unable to reach, it is recommended that you use a soft toothbrush. Handle with care. 

How to Clean Sterling Silver at Home

1. Remove surface dirt and residue. Wipe the sterling silver gently with a soft microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints and oils.
2. Check for tarnish. If the silver still looks yellow, dark or dull after cleaning, the discoloration is likely tarnish and will need polishing.
3. Apply silver polish. Use a small amount of water-based polish and gently work it over the tarnished silver.
4. Buff to restore the shine. Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove the polish and buff the sterling silver to a bright finish.

How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry

For sterling silver rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, use the same gentle cleaning and polishing process, but pay extra attention to settings, chains and detailed areas where residue can collect. If the jewelry contains diamonds, gemstones, pearls or other stones, check the appropriate care method for the stone before applying polish or cleaner.

That’s it! With the right technique, cleaning tarnished silver and polishing it back to a bright shine can be simple and quick with Flitz Polish Paste! 

When choosing a silver polish, look for one that cleans, restores and protects the metal without leaving behind a greasy residue that can attract dirt and fingerprints.

For polishing silver, we would recommend our original Flitz Polish, in either liquid or paste form, along with our premium microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine that lasts.

Check out the rest of our Household products to see what else is possible around your home!