How to Shine Silver with Baking Soda

Use family heirlooms regularly for less tarnish.

Commercial silver polish does a good job of spiffing up the silver but you can shine your silver even if you're out of polish. While homemade methods are not as effective for heavily tarnished silver that has not seen a shining in decades, it's great for removing tarnish that is less than one or two years old. When shining silver, assemble all the ingredients before you get started.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic basin or bowl
• Aluminum foil
• Baking soda
• Water
• Clean towels and soft clean cloths

Instructions

1. Assemble all the small silver objects, spoons, forks, small bowls and other items that will easily fit into the plastic basin. If you have a really large item you want to shine, try using a clean heavy-duty 5-gallon bucket.

2. Line the bottom of the plastic bowl with the aluminum foil and make sure the shiny side is facing upwards.

3. Place all the silver items (if they fit) on top of the aluminum foil carefully. If you have a lot to shine, you may have to do it in more than one batch.

4. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda on top of the silver pieces.

5. Pour 2 gallons of boiling water on top of the silver in the plastic bowel. Use a large wooden spoon to push the silver items (if needed) under the surface of the water and try to stir the water slightly to ensure that the soda dissolves.

6. Allow the silver to remain in the water for twenty minutes and use tongs to remove one item at a time. Rinse each piece and dry it with a very soft clean cloth. Your silver will sparkle like new.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not submerge silver items that contain wooden handles or other non-silver decorations.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Recipes for a Healthy Home
• Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners