Forget the polishing creams, special microfiber cloths, and elbow grease. For years, my go-to method for cleaning tarnished silver has been this easy, fast, and safe method. I've used it on silverware, silver platters, antique silver, and finer silver jewelry, and unlike other silver cleaners, it's very inexpensive and gets the job done right in front of your eyes. Don't believe me? Try this homemade solution yourself.
Items You’ll Need
- Aluminum foil
- Boiling water
- Baking soda
- Salt
- A non-metallic container (like a glass or plastic dish)
- Tongs or a spoon
Step 1: Line a Container With Aluminum Foil
Line a glass or ceramic bowl or dish with aluminum foil. A small container works well for silver jewelry, but for larger silver pieces (like forks, knives, and small accessories), a glass casserole dish is my go-to because I can lay items flat and fully submerged. Contact with the foil is important — the foil fosters an electrochemical reaction that'll remove the silver sulfide (tarnish) from silver.
Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda and Salt
Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt for each cup of water you'll add to the container. Sprinkle it across the surface of the foil before you've placed any
Step 3: Boil Water
Boil enough water to fully submerge your tarnished silver items. Depending on the size of your container and the amount of silver you’re cleaning, this could be anywhere from a couple of cups to a few quarts.
Step 4: Add the Cleaning Ingredients
Pour the hot water into the foil-lined container, covering the entire surface. You’ll notice some bubbling as the ingredients dissolve, which is perfectly normal.
Step 5: Submerge Your Silver
Place your tarnished pieces into the solution. Make sure each piece is touching the foil to ensure the reaction occurs. The tarnish will begin to lift almost immediately due to the chemical reaction, and you might even see it transferring to the foil.
Step 6: Wait and Watch
Let your silver soak for upwards of 10 minutes, depending on the level of tarnish. For particularly stubborn spots, you can leave it a bit longer or gently rub the area with a soft cloth while it’s submerged. You can also repeat the chemical experiment, adding a higher volume of salt and baking soda to the dish.
Step 7: Rinse and Dry
Carefully remove your silver from the solution using tongs or a spoon, and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Dry each piece with a soft, clean cloth to prevent water spots and ensure a brilliant shine.
Do you need to polish silver jewelry after cleaning it?
Polishing silver jewelry after cleaning it with the tin foil and boiling water method isn't necessary, but it can improve the shine and give your pieces a more polished look. After the cleaning process, your silver will already look much brighter and cleaner, but a gentle polish can remove any remaining residue and add brilliance.
If you decide to polish your silver jewelry, use a soft cotton cloth designed for polishing silver. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials, as they can scratch and damage the silver. A microfiber cloth or a special silver polishing cloth works best for this task.
Does the lemon-lime soda trick really work?
Meh, not for us. This method relies on the acidity of the soda, which can help break down tarnish. While it can work for minor tarnish and is a fun, quick fix, the tin foil and boiling water technique is more effective on heavier tarnish.
