Cleaning Sterling Silver

Cleaning sterling silver is another great service to offer on your house cleaning services menu.

Sterling silver is common in households, so you can expect to have your clients request that their pieces be cleaned. Different methods are used for different kinds of items crafted from sterling silver. Here are some of the most common sterling silver items, and the steps to take to clean them.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Tea Sets

Sterling silver tea sets are a beautiful addition to any home, but can easily become tarnished. Wash the piece with warm, soapy water. You can use any common dish detergent. Be sure to rinse each piece well, and dry it completely. Next, polish by using either a commercial silver polish or a paste made with water and baking soda. Apply the polish or paste with a soft cloth, rubbing in circular motions. Rinse the piece, and dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Knick-Knacks

The method for cleaning knick-knacks is similar to that used when cleaning tea services. First, clean the piece. For smaller items, you can wash these in a basin or sink filled with warm, soapy water. Larger pieces that cannot be submerged can be cleaned using a bucket of hot soapy water and a clean soft cloth. Be sure to rinse the item well. Follow up with silver polish or baking soda paste as outlined above.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Flatware

Sterling silver utensils should always be cleaned in warm soapy water before attempting to remove any tarnish. Simply wash them with regular dish detergent and a soft cloth, and dry them with a lint-free cloth. A quick and easy method for removing tarnish from sterling silver flatware is by lining a glass casserole dish with aluminum foil, leaving the shiny side facing upward in the dish. Lay the flatware in a row, taking care not to overlap any pieces. Cover the utensils with boiling water, and add one heaping tablespoon of baking soda. The baking soda and the aluminum foil will work together to remove tarnish. Allow them to sit for about half an hour, remove, rinse with clean warm water, and dry. You can follow up with a silver polish or baking soda paste if the client desires.

Always check with your client before cleaning any antique silver pieces, especially those with a patina or deeply engraved design. It's often desirable to collectors to leave the engraved areas dark or the patina on, and it the value of the item is significantly reduced upon removal. Silver items should be stored in wax paper or specially made cloths.

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