Sorry, Grandma – Martha Stewart Just Revealed Her Secret to Cleaning Silverware, and I'll Never Use Your Method Again

From her favorite products to her failsafe cleaning strategy, Martha reveals exactly how she keeps her silverware sparkling

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Martha Stewart
(Image credit: Future / Vivien Killilea via Getty Images)

When I moved into my first apartment, my grandmother kindly entrusted me with some of her prized silverware – along with some handy advice on how to polish it.

Years later, however, I'm a little fuzzy on the details, and I'm desperate to keep every piece in good condition. So, you can only imagine my relief when Martha Stewart shared a blog post revealing exactly how to clean silver.

Ahead of an intimate dinner party last week, Martha decided it was time to clean and polish some of her silver pieces – and fortunately for me, she took to her blog to document how her housekeeper, Enma, tackles the process.

Martha Stewart's Guide to Cleaning Silverware

'If you're entertaining at home this winter, don't forget to take time to polish the silver,' begins Martha's blog post. 'Last week, my housekeeper Enma Sandoval took on the task of cleaning and polishing some of the silver in my Winter House Brown Room, a couple days ahead of a small dinner party I hosted.'

Martha begins by describing a non-toxic cleaning method which uses salt and baking soda.

'Fill an aluminum pan with hot water, salt and baking soda, stir until it is all dissolved, and then soak the silver pieces until a chemical reaction occurs that removes the tarnish,' she says. 'This technique is faster than hand cleaning, but may cause pitting and remove the more desirable tarnish called patina.'

To avoid removing this pretty patina on Martha's silverware, Enma hand-polishes each piece instead.

According to Martha, the most important tools are 'a good-quality, non-abrasive commercial silver polish', gloves to protect skin from the polish (like these disposable gloves from Amazon), and 'silver cleaning cloths made especially for removing tarnish from precious metals'.

'Always use silver polishes that are non-abrasive, and opt for formulas such as creams and gels instead of sprays,' she adds.

1. Wash Each Piece in Warm Water

To kickstart the process, Enma carefully washes each piece 'with dish soap and warm water to remove any dust,' says Martha. 'She then applies a small amount of silver cream and rubs both sides of the tray.'

To target smaller spots and hard-to-reach areas, Martha shares an ingenious tip: 'Use cotton swabs to apply the cream to tight crevices when cleaning', she says. 'It may take a little longer when cleaning a piece with more intricate designs or indentations. Enma is sure to wipe every area, getting into the tight spaces carefully.'

2. Coat the Pieces in Silver Cream

It might sound simple, but Martha emphasizes the importance of careful cleaning – and patience.

'Completely coat any pieces with the cream,' she writes. 'The silver will start to brighten as it is rubbed.'

According to Martha, hand-cleaning really is the best method.

'Never clean silver in the dishwasher,' she warns. 'The detergents’ aggressive chemicals, combined with the washer’s high cleaning temperature, will eventually turn it grey or white, with a dull, non-reflective surface.'

3. Rinse and Wash Again

Once you've polished your silverware sufficiently, another round of cleaning is in order.

'After rubbing the piece with silver cream, rinse the piece well,' advises Martha. 'Then wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed. Enma uses the sponge to remove any of the leftover cream, and she rinses both the top and bottom of the tray thoroughly, so there is no trace of cream left.'

To prevent any damage to your silverware, Martha recommends using a terry cloth to line the bottom of your sink 'so the metal doesn’t bang against any surfaces'. In fact, this is 'also a good idea to use when washing special china'.

Blue cabinet with red shelves of silverware

Martha polishes her silverware every few months to keep it in the best condition

(Image credit: Future / Jon Day Photography)

4. Don't Forget to Buff

And once the cleaning is complete? 'Enma dries the silver right away with a soft absorbent cloth to avoid any water marks,' Martha notes. 'Every piece is buffed to perfection. Do not let your silver air dry, because water left standing can cause spotting.'

Cleaning, polishing and buffing might sound like a hefty task, but a Martha-approved method never fails – and I know my grandmother would be proud.

'The joy of owning beautiful silver pieces does require some work to keep everything looking beautiful, but it is all well worth the effort,' concludes Martha.

How Often Does Martha Stewart Clean Her Silverware?

You might think that a busy host like Martha devotes constant attention to her silverware, but in reality, Martha takes a more relaxed approach.

'Polishing silver three or four times a year is generally sufficient to keep it in good condition,' she reveals. 'But if you’re entertaining and planning to use some pieces, give them a little extra attention before the event.'

Admittedly, polishing my silver pieces every few months still feels like a challenge to me – but Martha notes that regular upkeep actually saves time in the long run.

'Because my silver is cleaned regularly, it doesn’t take too much time to get the job done,' she explains.

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Martha Davies
Martha Davies
Content Editor

Martha is a Content Editor on the Living team at Homes & Gardens. Her love for lifestyle journalism began when she interned at Time Out Dubai when she was 15 years old; she went on to study English and German at Oxford, before covering property and interior design at Country & Town House magazine. To Martha, living beautifully is all about good food and lots of colorful home decor.