Restore shine to your silver pieces using a few pantry ingredients.
Because it’s a precious metal, pure silver is not magnetic.
Rinse and Dry Silver
Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth.
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Prepare the Pan or Sink
Line a pot or roasting pan with aluminum foil.
ensure the foil covers the entire surface.
If you are cleaning large silver items, line your sink with foil.
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Again, ensure to cover the entire surface, including the edges.
Add Boiling Water
Fill the pan or sink with boiling water.
Use enough water so your pieces will be fully submerged.
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You should see bubbles form.
For large silver items, add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt to the water.
Allow silver pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.
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Your silver pieces should now be shiny and free of tarnish.
This method works especially well for cleaning silverware.
Line Pan or Sink
Line a large roasting pan or your sink with aluminum foil.
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Mix Vinegar Cleaning Solution
Add 1 Tbsp.
baking soda and 1 Tbsp.
kosher salt to the aluminum-lined dish.
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Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar into the dish and the mixture will begin to bubble.
Add 1 to 2 cups boiling water.
You’ll need enough liquid to completely submerge your silver pieces.
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Add Silver and Let Soak
Place pieces into the dish in a single layer.
Soak lightly tarnished pieces for 30 seconds or up to three minutes for more heavily tarnished pieces.
Dry and Buff
Remove the silver items with tongs, then dry and buff until clean.
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More Ways to Clean Silver
There are many home remedies for cleaning silver.
Try ketchup, lemon, or toothpaste on tough-to-clean silver tarnish.
Polish Silver with Ketchup
For extra sheen, try cleaning silver with ketchup.
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The condiment can be used as a paste topolish tarnished metals including brassand silver.
Restore Shine with Toothpaste
Cleaning silver with toothpaste can produce sparkling results.
Dilute toothpaste with a little water, polish the silver with a soft cloth, and rinse.
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Don’t use toothpasteon silver-plated items, as it can corrode the finish.
Test methods in an inconspicuous spot before proceeding with a deep clean.
Use cotton swabs or a soft bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies.
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If you use a brush, use a light hand so you don’t unintentionally scratch the surface.
Be sure to choose a cleaner that’s specifically intended to clean sterling silver or silver-plated items.
Some are formulated for specialty applications, while others are more general purpose.
Always read the instructions before using silver polish products and follow all instructions carefully.
Avoid storing silver jewelry in the bathroom, where humidity is frequent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When silver turns black, it’s reacting to sulphur compounds in the air.
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This is known as tarnish.
Aluminum foil is a safe and effective method for cleaning silver when paired with baking soda.
This helps remove the sulfuric compounds that form tarnish.
However, never rub or wipe silver items with aluminum foil, which can scratch the surface.
Ingredients that contain sulfur can damage sterling silver, including mayonnaise, mustard, and onions.Chlorine bleachdamage silver.
Most skin and hair products can be harmful to sterling silver as well.
Tarnish is removed by the acid in the Coke.
