Top 9 Polishes for Silver Restoration

Top Pick

Goddard’s Silver Polish Foam stands out as our premier selection due to its adaptability, thorough cleaning capabilities, and protective qualities for silver. It excels at cleaning a wide range of items, from jewelry and flatware to cookware and coins, making it Fahey’s preferred silver polish. Despite its origins dating back to 1847, the formula has been refined to clean and rejuvenate silver while shielding it from environmental damage. This long-lasting foam eliminates tarnish effortlessly, requiring no strenuous scrubbing, and leaves your silver items gleaming quickly. It also includes a specialized sponge applicator for precise application. 

To achieve optimal results, rinse your silver item after applying the polish and dry it promptly with a soft cloth, a method common to most silver polishes. If you plan to use this polish on cutlery or cookware, ensure you thoroughly wash the items before they come into contact with food. Besides the 6-ounce jar, this silver polish is also offered in a more substantial 18-ounce option.

Type: Foam | Size: 6 or 18 ounces

Top Cream Choice

Wright’s Silver Cream stands out for its gentle, ammonia-free formula, making it a versatile and mild option for polishing silver. It’s safe for use on silver jewelry featuring diamonds and gemstones, as well as on stainless steel, chrome, and porcelain surfaces. Although it demands a bit more effort to achieve a thorough clean, it effectively removes tarnish from sterling silver. 

This formula is so gentle that it can be tested to remove tarnish and restore shine without risking damage or scratches to silver items. Gazzo highly recommends this product as his go-to silver polish, second only to DIY cleaning methods. The inclusion of a sponge applicator for precise application further enhances its value, especially given its affordable price.

Type: Cream | Size: 8 ounces

Top Gentle Option

Hagerty Silversmith Polish boasts a potent yet non-abrasive liquid formula designed to restore shine without harming your items. It includes R-22 Tarnish Preventative, an active component that combats tarnish and leaves silver gleaming. The brand claims this patented formula keeps silver tarnish-free longer than competitors, reducing the need for frequent cleaning of silverware and jewelry. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for silver, silver-plated jewelry, metal tableware, musical instruments, and gold.

This polish simplifies silver cleaning with a one-step, no-rinse process. Apply it using a soft cotton cloth or horsehair brush, buff to a shine, and your jewelry is ready to wear. However, be aware that its strong odor may be off-putting to some users.

Type: Liquid polish |

Top Heavy-Duty Choice

Restoring silver and other metals to their original shine can be challenging, but Weiman’s Silver Polish is robust enough to tackle significant tarnish and discoloration, delivering a radiant finish and protective layer. Beyond silver, this liquid polish can rejuvenate dull metals such as copper, gold, platinum, titanium, brass, and aluminum. Whether you’re polishing antique silverware, teapots, or delicate jewelry adorned with gemstones, this cleaner ensures a dazzling sparkle. 

Although this potent silver polish is ammonia-free, it carries a light floral fragrance. Its non-abrasive formula makes it safe for various surfaces, provided you rinse the item with water and dry it promptly with a clean, absorbent cloth.

Type: Liquid | Size: 8 ounces

Top Choice for Jewelry

While liquid silver polish dips are often stronger than creams or pastes, the Connoisseurs Premium Edition Cleaner features a mild, ammonia-free formula that’s safe for silver jewelry. It includes a plastic tray for submerging your jewelry in the solution briefly before rinsing. 

For heavily tarnished silver jewelry, a second application may be necessary—wait five minutes before repeating. Although designed for sterling silver, the brand also offers cleaning solutions for fashion jewelry, diamonds, and gold. Be cautious not to overuse this cleaner, as excessive cleaning can harm your jewelry. 

Type: Liquid | Size: 9.6 ounces

Top Pick for Silverware

Hagerty Instant Silver Dip features a powerful ingredient that erases tarnish almost instantly, making it ideal for quick cleanups. It’s also budget-friendly, costing significantly less than professional cleaning services. To use, apply a small amount to a cloth, target the tarnished areas, then rinse and dry with a soft microfiber towel for a polished finish. Note that this product is only safe for silver and should not be used on stainless steel or other metals. 

Type: Liquid dip | Size: 12 ounces

Top Glove Choice

Dry cloths are indispensable for silver polishing, as they eliminate residual moisture or solution while enhancing the surface’s shine. The Hagerty Silversmiths’ Gloves stand out for their precision and low-maintenance cleaning. Crafted from durable, absorbent heavy-gauge terry cloth, these gloves endure multiple uses. They’re also endorsed by experts: Fahey relies on them to delicately polish silver jewelry and other items.

These gloves are versatile, capable of cleaning, polishing, and preventing tarnish on sterling silver, gold, and silver-plated pieces. Once worn out, they should be replaced rather than washed, though some users have found success by washing them and applying a separate polish cleaner. 

Type: Cloth glove | Quantity: 1 pair

Top Cloth Option

Polishing cloths are an excellent choice for cleaning jewelry and larger silver items that cannot be submerged. The Goddard Silver Polishing Cloth, crafted from natural cotton, is a standout option due to its anti-tarnishing agents that revive shine while eliminating dirt and stains.

The cloth can be cleaned and reused, though experts caution that washing it in a machine may strip away the essential chemicals infused in the fabric. It’s available in packs of one, two, or six and can last for months or even years, depending on usage. While ideal for touch-ups and regular maintenance, it may not suffice for heavy tarnish, requiring a more robust solution.

Type: Cloth | Quantity: 1, 2, or 6 cloths

Top Wipes Choice

For a fast and hassle-free silver cleaning solution, the Connoisseurs Silver Wipes are unmatched. These dry, disposable wipes are gentle and require no rinsing or additional steps after polishing. One wipe can handle up to four five-piece flatware sets, two to three small items, or one to two larger pieces like teapots or serving trays. 

Though not as intensive as creams or liquids, these wipes are praised for their no-mess application and ability to deliver a quick shine. They also feature an invisible anti-tarnish layer to prevent future buildup. However, they are best suited for pure silver items and may not be effective on pieces with stones or mixed metals like diamonds or gold. 

Type: Wipes | Quantity: 10 wipes

Final Verdict

Our top recommendation is Goddard's Silver Polish Foam for its exceptional cleaning ability across a wide range of silver items. Its long-lasting formula effectively removes tarnish and restores shine. For more challenging tarnish, we suggest Weiman's Silver Polish, a heavy-duty liquid solution ideal for severely tarnished pieces.

How to Shop for Silver Polish Like a Pro

Type

“Different polishes excel in specific applications, such as delicate items or pieces with embedded stones,” explains Hochhalter. Common types include foam, cream, liquid, disposable wipes, wadding, and cloth. The best choice depends on the item you’re cleaning—whether it’s cutlery, jewelry, or cookware—and whether you need a heavy-duty solution. 

Hochhalter notes that creams and pastes are excellent for tarnish removal, particularly for intricate or textured silver items, as they can access tight spaces. Liquid dips, such as the Connoisseurs Premium Edition Silver Jewelry Cleaner, are another option. “While convenient for simpler items, liquid dips can be too harsh for delicate or antique pieces,” warns Hochhalter. Additionally, consider the cleanup involved—creams may be more effective but can leave behind residue.

Formula

Silver polishes typically lack non-toxic or plant-based options, aside from DIY solutions using household ingredients. Gazzo advises choosing ammonia- and phosphate-free polishes and using gloves or a mask if you have sensitivities.

Roane and Fitzpatrick recommend combining foam jewelry cleaner with a polishing cloth for optimal results. “The foam penetrates hard-to-reach areas, breaking down grime for easy rinsing,” they explain. “A final polish with the cloth removes any remaining dirt and tarnish, restoring the piece to like-new condition.”

Function

While many silver polishes are versatile and suitable for various surfaces, some are specifically designed for particular items, such as jewelry cleaners. Experts recommend spot-testing silver items, especially plated ones (which have a metal base with a thin silver coating), to ensure compatibility.

"Always handle silver-plated items with care," advises Gazzo. "Briefly dip them in the product, rinse with water, and dry immediately with a soft cloth."

Questions You Might Ask

How does silver polish work?

"Silver tarnishes as it oxidizes upon exposure to sulfur compounds in the air, causing its shine to dull," explains Fahey. "Thankfully, silver polish removes this surface oxidation, restoring the underlying brilliance."

"Silver polish works by removing silver sulfide from the surface, restoring the item’s original shine," explains Rogers-Evans. "While it may seem concerning that the polish removes a thin layer of silver, it’s minimal and not noticeable."

How do you use silver polish?

The instructions for using silver polish are typically found on the product label. Generally, Fahey suggests applying a small amount and gently working it into the silver. Allow it to sit for a few seconds to several minutes to let the chemical reaction occur. For intricate details, a soft-bristled toothbrush can be helpful.

After rinsing with cool water, always dry silver items with a soft towel. Gazzo emphasizes the importance of ensuring items are completely dry before storage, ideally in a location with indirect sunlight and good airflow.

How often should you use silver polish?

Silver polishes should be used sparingly, only when your silver items begin to look dull and need a shine. Fahey notes that exposure to elements like sulfur and chlorine may require occasional light polishing.

Gazzo and Rogers-Evans both emphasize that preventing tarnish is key to maintaining silver’s sparkle. This includes storing jewelry in airtight containers when not in use and avoiding wearing it during activities like showering, swimming, or exercising.

"Delicate metals like silver should be kept away from moisture and checked periodically to ensure they remain in good condition," advises Gazzo.

Take Our Word for It

This article was authored by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer with nearly three years of experience in lifestyle and product reviews, and Nor’Adila Hepburn, a contributing writer at Mytour. They conducted extensive research on silver polishes and consulted experts, including Casey Fahey of East Village Bangles, Esme Rogers-Evans of Duxford Studios, Alessandro Gazzo from Emily's Maids, Jennifer Roane and Melanie Fitzpatrick of LeMel, and Cara Hochhalter of Maple and J.