Easy Way to Clean Tarnished Silver

Silver polish is effective in removing tarnish from jewelry with minimum scratches

Both silver jewelry and silver tableware tarnish with use. Silver undergoes a chemical reaction with sulfur in the air creating unattractive tarnish. To get your silver sparkling again remove tarnish using a variety of methods, depending on what type of silver you are cleaning. Methods for removing tarnish on silver can include using silver polish as well as ordinary household items.

Things You'll Need

• White toothpaste
• 1 tbsp. of baking soda
• Hot water
• Soft, clean, dry cloth
• 1 cup Room temperature water
• 1 tbsp. of salt
• A deep aluminum plate or bowl or foil
• Small bowl
• 1 tbsp. of water softener powder

Instructions

Table Silver

1. Put some white toothpaste on your finger. Rub the toothpaste into the silver until the tarnish is gone. This method works best for small jobs, so is suitable when you only need to clean one or two items.

2. Mix baking soda and water together to make a paste. Make enough paste for the tarnished silver you have. Alternatively, you can use a store bought polish but if you do, be very careful to follow the instructions on the package.

3. Load some of the paste or polish onto a sponge or a soft cloth then smooth it onto the silver. Rub gently in an up and down motion all over the item until the tarnish disappears.

4. Wash the paste or polish off the silver with hot water and then polish it with a soft, clean cloth. This method is appropriate for larger jobs. If the silver is very badly tarnished leave the paste on for about an hour before you rinse it off. If you are using polish, the product will tell you how long to leave it on for hard to remove tarnish.

Silver Jewelry

1. Mix 1 tbsp. of salt and 1 tbsp. of water softener powder together in a bowl. You can substitute 1 tbsp. of baking soda for the water softener powder if necessary.

2. Pour hot water into the plate or bowl. Make sure the water is hot, but not boiling.

3. Stir the mixture to make sure both powders dissolve.

4. Dunk or immerse your silver jewelry into this mixture and you should see results immediately if the silver isn't too dirty. Keep the jewelry in the mixture for a few minutes if it is especially tarnished.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't immerse silver jewelry if it is set with precious stones as the mixture may harm the stones.

• If the silver is antiqued or oxidized don't immerse it as this will remove the oxidization.

References

• "Care2"; Clean Your Silver with Household Basics
• "Home Jewelry Business Success Tips"; Clean Tarnished Silver Jewelry
• "Sci Fun"; Put a Shine on it
• "Good Housekeeping"; Clean Silver Flatware: Traditional and Homemade Methods