Sterling silver polishing cloths are most commonly made from microfiber or cotton. Product listings sometimes specify 100% natural cotton fiber, while others describe reusable microfiber construction.
Silver polishing supplies come in several formats: dry cloths and wipes, liquid polish kits that include a cleaning solution plus a cloth, and multi-piece systems (for example, a two-piece polishing cloth system).
Many polishing cloths include polishing agents that physically remove tarnish and restore shine. Some also leave an anti-tarnish or tarnish-resistant barrier to help prevent discoloration between polishes.
Kits often pair a polishing cloth with a cleaning solution and may include small cleaning brushes (including horsehair brushes) to reach crevices. Multi-piece sets commonly combine polish, cloth, and a brush.
Polishing cloths and wipes come in a range of sizes: small squares around 3.94" x 3.94", mid-size cloths about 5" x 7", larger polishing cloths near 8" x 10", and full-size dusters roughly 12" x 15".
Polish dry using gentle circular motions; for deeper cleaning some instructions recommend slightly dampening the cloth. Avoid using polishing cloths on plated or non-precious items, do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives, and do not launder cloths that contain a cleaning chemical.
