How to Use Aluminum Foil & Baking Soda to Clean Silver

Tarnished silver can be easily restored with common household items such as aluminum foil and baking soda. Tarnish on silver is due to silver sulfide on the surface of the metal, which makes the metal appear dark and black. The combination of aluminum foil and baking soda works to reverse the chemical reaction that created the silver sulfide. This method retains the silver, whereas polishing removes tarnish and the silver as well.

Things You'll Need

• Glass baking pan large enough to immerse the silver
• Aluminum foil
• Baking soda
• Boiling water
• Towel

Instructions

1. Boil enough water to fill the glass pan.

2. Line the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil with the shiny side facing up.

3. Place the tarnished silver onto the foil, ensuring that the silver is touching the foil.

4. Sprinkle baking soda over the silver. Use approximately 1 cup of baking soda for every gallon of boiling water.

5. Slowly pour the boiling water into the pan. The water might make the baking soda bubble.

6. Allow the silver to soak for 30 minutes.

7. Remove the silver from the pan, rinse it and towel it dry.

8. Repeat the process for extremely tarnished silver.

Tips & Warnings

• Use oven mitts or other protection when handling boiling water.

• Pour boiling water slowly to avoid splashes and burns.

References

• University of Wisconsin: Put a Shine on It
• Repair Home: Cleaning Silver

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish