For many homeowners, silver is more than just tableware. It is history, craftsmanship, and tradition. However, many of these same people keep their silver locked away, only saving it for “special occasions”, with dreaded memories of having to polish the family silver before Christmas dinner.
We want to spread the truth that silver is meant to be used daily, and that caring for it is far easier than people assume. One of the biggest misconceptions about silver is that it is delicate and difficult to maintain. In reality, sterling silver is incredibly resilient.
Whether you have inherited family silver or purchased your own pieces, learning how to quickly and easily care for your silverware will allow you to enjoy it every day.
Can silver be used every day?
Yes. Not only can silver be used every day but it actually benefits from being used regularly as natural oils from your hands and regular washing helps slow down the tarnishing process. When silver sits unused in drawers or cabinets, it often tarnishes faster because air and moisture interact with the metal without interruption.
Put simply: the more you use your silverware, the less polishing it needs.
Silver was never intended to be hidden away and, by using silver spoons with your morning coffee, putting silver candlesticks out on the dinner table, or serving dessert with silver utensils you’ll transform ordinary moments into something special.
What is the difference between sterling and silver plate?
Sterling silver is made from 92.5% pure silver, making it durable and highly resilient. It can be polished repeatedly over generations without damage. In fact, sterling silver is often described as nearly indestructible when properly cared for.
Silver plate, on the other hand, is a thin layer of silver applied over a base metal such as copper or nickel. While still attractive and more cost-effective, it requires more care when polishing because excessive abrasion can eventually wear through the plating revealing the copper tinge.
For this reason, caring for sterling silver is often easier than caring for silver plate. Sterling silver tolerates polishing and daily use far better, making it ideal for everyday enjoyment.
How to quickly polish silver
One of the easiest and most effective ways to polish silver is with Brasso wadding. Unlike messy liquid polishes, wadding is clean, quick, and easy to control.
Here’s the simple silver polishing process we recommend:
- Take a small piece of Brasso wadding.
- Gently rub the silver surface where tarnish appears.
- Buff the piece with a clean kitchen towel until it shines.
That’s all there is to it. The process only takes a moment, and the results are immediate.
Here’s a tip: don’t throw away the polishing towel. The black residue left on the cloth actually becomes useful as chemical residue gets embedded in the towel. This can be used for quick touch-up polishing in the future without needing to use the wadding again, making regular maintenance incredibly quick and easy.
Should You Wash Silverware After Polishing?
Yes. After polishing your silver with wadding, we recommend giving the piece a quick wash with warm water, a little dishwashing soap and a soft sponge. This will remove any chemical residue from the polish and brighten the silver even further.
You should never use the rough scrubbing side of a sponge as the abrasive surface can scratch the silver and gradually dull its beautiful shine. A soft sponge is all you need.
Should You Use A Silver Dip Solution?
No. Although silver dip solutions promise instant results, using strong chemical reactions to remove tarnish, these chemicals can also dull the surface of your silver and leave it looking lifeless over time.
Repeated dipping can slowly degrade the appearance of your silver, especially on delicate pieces. So, while they may appear convenient, we generally do not recommend using silver dip solutions.
Gentle polishing with wadding and a soft cloth is a far safer and more reliable method for maintaining silver’s natural brilliance.
Is Sterling Silver Dishwasher Safe?
Yes; sterling silver can safely go in the dishwasher. As long as the dishwasher temperature is below 50-60°C, silver will come out clean and maintain its shine. Obviously, mother-of-pearl or bone-handled knives must be handwashed.
There is also a persistent myth that silver must never touch other metals in the dishwasher. In normal conditions, mixing metals in the dishwasher is not a problem.
This actually only applies to silver plate which, because the silver layer is thin, can have the plating worn away due to machine washing.
With sterling silver, mixing metals in the dishwasher is not a problem.
What is An Easy Way to Clean Silver Candlesticks?
Silver candlesticks are beautiful on a dining table, but candle wax can be a real challenge to clean.
Luckily, removing wax is surprisingly easy: simply pour boiling water over the wax-covered area, such as the sconce where the candle sits. This will melt the wax instantly, allowing it to slide away from the candlestick.
Afterwards, follow our simple polishing method and polish the candlestick(s) with Brasso wadding, buff with a towel, and then wash with warm water and mild dish soap.
You should never try to scrape hardened wax away with a knife or other similarly sharp tool as this could permanently scratch and damage your precious silver.
Discover The Real Joy of Silver
Silver has been cherished for centuries not because it is perfect or pristine, but because it is meant to be lived with.
It ages gracefully, develops character, and tells the story of the households that use it.
Regardless of who you are and where you live, silverware always brings a timeless sense of beauty to everyday life.
So don’t hide it away.
Use it for breakfast.
Lay the table with it tonight.
Light the candlesticks for everyday dinners.
Because the real joy of silver isn’t found in polishing it.
The real joy of silver is found in using it every day.
