Silver plated trays and other home items lose their shine and luster over time. Whether you have a silver plated platter handed down from your grandmother or you pick up one at a local thrift store, refurbish tarnished silver plated items naturally with common household products or with store-bought silver cleaner to bring them back to life.

To refurbish the silver plated item naturally, gather a few items you probably already have in your home to create a homemade silver cleaner, such as:

• salt
• baking soda
• water
• aluminum foil
• soft brush, such as a soft toothbrush or nail brush
• soft, clean, dry rags

Or, pick up a silver polish and cream at your local discount or home improvement store.

If you are planning on restoring an antique silver plated item or one that has a lot of sentimental value to you, make sure you research how to clean and polish the item correctly. Look on the back or bottom of the item to see if there are any markings or stickers that indicate the brand or type of item. Browse the internet or contact an antique shop or silver collector to find out more about the brand and type of silver to make sure there are (or are not) any special instructions for cleaning and polishing.