How to Clean Silver and Brass at Home Safely, Step by Step

For most household silver and brass, start with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap, rinse, and dry right away with a soft cloth. If tarnish remains, use a baking soda paste on solid silver or a commercial polish made for the metal, working gently and rinsing well. Never use abrasive pads, and never mix cleaning products. Lacquered brass, plated items and antiques need extra care, covered below.

Know what you are cleaning

Different metals and finishes need different approaches, so check first.

Solid sterling silver usually carries a “925” or “sterling” mark. It tarnishes to a gray or black film as it reacts with sulfur in the air.
Silver plate has a thin silver layer over another metal. Hard scrubbing can wear it through.
Solid brass is a copper and zinc alloy. A magnet will not stick to it.
Lacquered brass has a clear coating, common on modern lamps, door hardware and decor. If the surface is shiny and does not tarnish, it is probably lacquered. Polish can damage the coating.
Brass-plated items are thin brass over steel or zinc. A magnet will stick to them.

Antiques, items with patina people value, pieces with glued or hollow parts, and items with gemstones or wood are best left to a professional conservator or jeweler.

Safety basics

Work in a ventilated room and wear gloves, especially with commercial polishes.
Follow the label directions on any product, and keep it away from children and pets.
Never mix cleaning products or add one to another. Use one product at a time and rinse in between.
Do not use items with tarnish or cleaning residue for serving food until they are washed and rinsed well. Do not use polish on surfaces that touch food unless the label says it is safe.
If someone swallows a polish or gets it in their eyes, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 in the US, or emergency services.

Step 1: Wash first

Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
Wipe the piece with a soft cloth or sponge. Use a soft toothbrush for crevices.
Rinse under warm running water.
Dry immediately with a clean soft cloth. Water spots form quickly on both metals.

Light tarnish and fingerprints often come off with this alone, and it is the only step needed for lacquered brass.

Step 2: Remove silver tarnish

Baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste. Rub it gently onto solid silver with a soft damp cloth, following the grain. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so use light pressure and avoid it on silver plate or detailed engraving.

Silver polish or polishing cloth. A commercial silver polish, or a cloth treated for silver, is the safest option for most pieces. Use a small amount on a soft cloth, polish in straight lines rather than circles, and switch to a clean part of the cloth often. Wash and rinse the piece afterward.

Avoid toothpaste, which can contain abrasives that scratch, and avoid dipping valuable or old silver in strong chemical “dips”. Those can strip the dark detail in decorative designs and may harm joined or hollow parts.

Step 3: Clean solid brass

For unlacquered brass, make a paste of baking soda and water, or use a commercial brass polish. Apply with a soft cloth, rub gently along the metal and rinse. Some people use salt and lemon juice on solid brass. It can work, but acids can leave uneven spots if not rinsed well, so test a hidden area first and rinse and dry completely. Do not combine this with any other cleaners.

If the brass is lacquered and the lacquer is peeling, cleaning will not fix it. The coating may need to be stripped and redone, or you can let the piece age naturally.

What to avoid

Steel wool, scouring pads and rough sponges, which scratch.
Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, which can damage the metal and are dangerous when mixed.
Dishwashers, which can dull silver and pit it, especially with knives that have hollow handles.
Rubber bands, wool and felt for storage, which hold sulfur compounds that speed tarnish.

Slow tarnish after cleaning

Dry everything completely before storing it.
Store silver in tarnish-resistant cloth or in sealed zip bags with the air pressed out.
Keep pieces away from humidity, so avoid bathrooms and basements.
Handle with clean hands, since skin oils speed tarnish.
Dust brass decor regularly with a dry cloth and use a clear wax on unlacquered pieces if you want a longer shine.

Some other jobs around the house use similar care. If you are polishing metal near a hearth, see how to clean a fireplace safely first, since soot and ash call for gloves and a mask. Outdoors, brass hardware on a patio or porch can be cleaned the same way as the steps above, and cleaning a deck covers the surrounding surfaces.

Quick answers

Is it safe to clean silver with aluminum foil and baking soda?

This chemical reaction method is popular and can lift tarnish from plain silver. It can also leave a dull finish and is not suitable for antiques, oxidized designs or items with other materials. A gentle polish is the safer choice.

Can I use ketchup or vinegar on brass?

Acidic products can brighten tarnished solid brass, but they must be rinsed off and the metal dried, and they should not be used on lacquered pieces. Never mix vinegar with other cleaning products.

How do I tell whether brass is lacquered?

If the surface looks uniformly glossy and never tarnishes, it is probably coated. A spot that is peeling or flaking confirms it. When in doubt, clean with soap and water only.

When should I call a professional?

For antiques, heirlooms, pieces with gemstones, or deep damage and pitting, ask a jeweler, antique dealer or conservator before cleaning.