The Easiest Way to Clean Tarnished 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 6: 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.