How to Clean Silver Nursing Cups (and Fix Tarnish): 2026 Care Guide

How to Clean Silver Nursing Cups (and Fix Tarnish): 2026 Care Guide

By Eda Ulger, Co-founder and Editor of Moogco Baby, mom of two · Updated October 2026

Moogco makes silver nursing cups in 999 fine and 925 sterling silver. We are moms who wore them too.

You finally found a rhythm with your silver cups, and then one morning you notice they look a little grey. Maybe there is a milky film inside. Do not worry. Silver nursing cups are some of the easiest things in your nursery to keep clean, and tarnish is normal.

The short answer

Rinse them in warm water after each use. Once a day, wash them with a drop of mild, unscented soap, rinse well, dry with a soft cloth, and store them in their case. If they darken, polish gently with a silver cloth or a baking soda paste and rinse well.

This works for any solid silver cup, whether you call them silverettes, silver nursing cups or silver nipple shields.

Daily cleaning, step by step

  1. After each use: rinse the cup in warm running water to remove milk.
  2. Once a day: wash it with a drop of mild, unscented dish soap and your fingertips or a soft cloth.
  3. Rinse well: make sure no soap is left, because soap residue can irritate sore skin.
  4. Dry fully: pat dry with a clean soft cloth or let it air dry upside down.
  5. Store dry: keep the cups in their case so they stay clean and do not get scratched.

"They came in a plastic container great for storage and included a round cleaning disc."

Sarah B., Moogco customer, 999 fine silver cups

What to avoid

  • The dishwasher. Detergent is harsh on silver.
  • Bleach and chlorine. Chlorine darkens silver quickly.
  • Scrubby sponges and steel wool. They scratch the surface.
  • Scented or antibacterial soaps. They can leave residue on skin that is already sore.
  • Rubber bands and rubber storage bags. Rubber contains sulfur, which speeds up tarnish.

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Why silver cups turn dark, and why that is okay

Silver reacts with sulfur in the air, on skin, and in rubber and some foods. That reaction makes a thin dark layer called tarnish. On cups you wear every day, it is expected. It sits on the surface, and you can polish it off whenever you like.

Solid 999 fine silver tends to tarnish more slowly than 925 sterling, because 925 contains a little copper. Both are normal to polish now and then.

How to remove tarnish safely

For solid silver cups (925 or 999)

  1. Rub gently with a soft silver polishing cloth, or
  2. Mix a little baking soda with water into a paste, rub it on with your fingertips or a soft cloth, and rinse it off.
  3. Rinse very well in warm water so nothing is left on the cup.
  4. Dry with a soft cloth and store in the case.

For silver-plated cups

Plated cups have a thin layer of silver over another material, so polish only with a soft cloth and skip baking soda and hot water. If the plating wears through, it is time to replace them. If you want cups that last for years, solid silver is the better choice.

If you use a store-bought silver dip or polish, rinse the cups very thoroughly afterward, since any chemical left behind will touch your nipples.

Cleaning when you have thrush

Thrush can pass back and forth between you and your baby. If you are being treated for it, wash the cups in hot soapy water every day and ask your doctor or IBCLC whether to keep wearing them during treatment. Some moms pause them until the infection clears.

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Reusing them for the next baby

Solid silver cups can be reused for your next baby. Wash them, polish off any tarnish, rinse well, and check the rim for scratches or sharp spots before you wear them again.

"I still use them on days when my almost 3mo goes through a spurt and wants to feed and feed and they are a lifesaver!"

H. Remy, Moogco customer, 925 sterling cups

New to silver cups? Start with our step-by-step guide on how to use silver nursing cups, and check the sizing guide if the rim presses on your skin.

A little something from us

If you decide to try our silver cups, use code NURSE15 for 15% off. We hope your next feed hurts a little less.

See the silver cups

with love, The Moogco Mamas

Our silver cups

Moogco makes silver cups in solid 999 fine silver and 925 sterling silver. Nearly 300,000 have been sold, and verified buyers rate them 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Moogco 999 Fine Silver Nursing Cups

Moogco 999 Fine Silver Nursing Cups

Solid 999 fine silver, the softest and purest option. One size.

$49.90 · See this cup

Moogco 925 Sterling Silver Nursing Cups

Moogco 925 Sterling Silver Nursing Cups

Solid 925 sterling silver in Regular (L) and X-Large.

from $47.90 · See this cup

The Original Silver Nursing Cups with Silicone Pads

The Original Silver Nursing Cups with Silicone Pads

925 sterling cups with soft silicone rims that help them stay put.

$62.90 · See this cup

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean Silverettes or silver nursing cups?

Rinse them in warm water after each use. Once a day, wash them with a drop of mild, unscented soap, rinse well, and dry them with a soft cloth. Store them dry in their case.

Do silver nursing cups need to be sterilized?

Not usually. A daily wash in warm soapy water is enough for most moms. If you or your baby are being treated for thrush, follow your doctor's cleaning advice.

Can you boil silver nursing cups?

Solid 925 and 999 silver can handle hot water, but boiling is not needed for daily care. Do not boil silver-plated cups, because heat and scrubbing can wear the plating.

Why did my silver nursing cups turn dark?

That is tarnish. Silver reacts with sulfur in the air, on skin and in some foods and rubber. It is a thin surface layer and it is normal for silver that is used every day.

How do you remove tarnish from silver nursing cups?

For solid silver, rub gently with a soft silver polishing cloth, or with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse very well and dry. For plated cups, use only a soft cloth.

Can I put silver nursing cups in the dishwasher?

Please do not. Dishwasher detergent is harsh on silver and can darken or pit the surface. A quick hand wash is gentler and faster.

How long do silver nursing cups last?

Solid silver cups can last for years and for more than one baby with simple care. Silver-plated cups wear with time, so they are better for short-term use.

This guide shares what moms and one published study tell us. It is not medical advice. If feeds still hurt after a week, please see an IBCLC or your doctor.

About the Editor

Eda Ulger is a co-founder of Moogco Baby, the editor of the Moogco Baby Journal, and a mom of two. She curates and edits our guides so every piece is honest, practical, and genuinely helpful for the early days of motherhood.

LinkedIn | moogcobaby.com

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