How to Clean Sterling Silver Effortlessly
Use this easy method to clean tarnished silver.
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You Will Need
- A glass, heat-proof dish or pan
- Aluminum foil
- Baking soda
- Boiling water
- A plastic or wooden spoon
- Paper towels
- A soft cloth
- Airtight containers
- Toothpaste and a soft toothbrush (optional) (optional) (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Prepare dish
Cover the bottom of a heat-proof glass dish with a crumpled piece of aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is placed with the shiny side up.
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Do not use this method on silver jewelry with porous stones, shells, or pearls, or flatware with hollow handles. Polish by hand instead, using a paste of baking soda and water.
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Step 2
Add silver
Lay the silver pieces flat in the dish.
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Clean pieces with crevices and designs with a toothbrush and toothpaste before placing in the dish.
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Step 3
Add baking soda
Sprinkle 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda evenly over the silver.
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Step 4
Add boiling water
Cover the silver with boiling water. Stir with the spoon, to distribute the baking soda.
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Step 5
Remove and rinse
As soon as you see that the tarnish has disappeared, remove the silver and rinse.
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Step 6
Dry and polish
Dry the silver with a paper towel, and polish it with a soft cloth. Store in airtight containers to slow tarnish buildup and keep silver gleaming.
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Sterling silver is not pure silver - it is an alloy of silver and copper.
