How to Clean Silverware With Household Items

Posted on Thursday, May 14th, 2020

Are you spending your time in isolation cleaning up a storm? If you’re anything like us, you’re at the point of social isolation where you’re spending excessive time making your silverware sparkle! You don’t need to spend extra money on fancy cleaning products when there are probably items in your cupboard that will make your cutlery shine.

We’ve rounded up the top household products you can use to give your silverware a finishing sheen.

Laundry Detergent

To make your silverware shine, look no further than your laundry! If you want a homemade silverware cleaner, simply find a medium-sized bowl and line it with aluminium foil. Then, fill it with hot water and mix in one tablespoon of laundry detergent. Soak your silver for one to two minutes, rinse, air-dry, and voila! 

Shiny, shiny silver.

Tomato Sauce

Not just for your meat pie, tomato sauce is your simple key to sparkling silver! Best of all, most of us have a bottle lying around in the fridge or cupboard, so this is an easy way to clean your items without leaving the house.

Put a small amount on a paper towel and focus in on any seriously tarnished areas. If your silver needs some real TLC, let the tomato sauce sit for fifteen minutes then rub off with a soft cloth, and rinse.

If your silverware has details that are harder to reach (like fancy candlesticks), use a toothbrush to get into the crevices, just make sure you’re gentle! Less is always more.

Hand Sanitizer

Have some spare hand sanitizer laying around? A few squirts on your silverware can make all the difference. Put some on a clean cloth and rub away any tarnish.

Toothpaste

Not just to make your smile blinding, toothpaste makes for an excellent cleaning DIY. Have a fancy set of silver cutlery that needs an isolation glow-up? Use your toothpaste (a non-gel and non-abrasive works best!) to take your silverware to a new level of clean. Squeeze a small amount on a soft cloth and rub it onto your piece in circular motions. Leave it for four to five minutes and then rinse it in water.

Vinegar

Restore your silverware into its former glory with a little bit of vinegar, baking soda, and elbow grease.

Not suitable for anything antique and fragile, but a great way to add some shine to your cutlery or silver jewellery. Place your items into a large bowl and then cover them with white distilled vinegar. Add in some baking soda (approximately four tablespoons) and let it soak for an hour.

Once you come back you’ll be blinded by the shine. Give them a quick rinse in water, dry off with a soft cloth and your silver will be looking better than ever.

Baking Soda And Water

You can create your own magical cleaning paste from a combination of baking soda and water. Make a paste by combining the two ingredients (make sure the water is lukewarm) and apply it to any problem areas on your silver. Leave the paste on for two to three minutes and rub off with a soft cloth. Make sure you’re gentle to avoid any unnecessary scratching.

Need help with your cleaning? We know how important having a clean house can be for your stress levels. We offer a range of different services that can help keep your place in order and every inch of your home, from your silverware to your shower, sparkling.