Home Remedies for Cleaning Sterling Silverware

Sterling silver flatware gains a special patina with age.

Sterling silver flatware is beautiful and durable, lasting for generations when you properly care for it. You can tell that a piece is made of fine sterling silver when you see the stamp ".925," which means that the piece is made of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Sterling silver flatware requires special cleaning methods, but you don't have to buy special products. You can use items you already have at home.

Baking Soda

Put 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small mixing bowl. Add just enough water to make a thick paste. Rub the baking soda paste onto your sterling silver flatware to remove tarnish. Rinse the paste off with clear, warm water. Dry the flatware with a soft cloth instead of air drying to avoid water spots.

Aluminum Foil Bath

Line a plastic washbasin with aluminum foil. Make sure the shiny side is facing up. Place all pieces of sterling silver flatware in the basin and arrange them so that each piece of flatware is in contact with the aluminum foil. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of washing soda (you can buy it at grocery stores and drug stores) on top of the flatware, and pour 1 gallon of boiling water into the basin. Allow the flatware to soak in the hot water for 15 minutes. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands when you remove the silver from the basin. Rinse the flatware in clean water and buff them with a soft cloth. This process removes the tarnish.

Homemade Silver Dip

You can purchase commercial silver dips to help you remove tarnish, but you can also create your own at home. Fill a basin or a clean kitchen sink with hot water. Mix 2 tablespoons of salt and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. After it is well mixed, pour it into the hot water. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that fits the bottom of the basin or sink, and push it down through the water to the bottom so it lays flat. Dip the flatware into the mixture, and allow very tarnished items to soak in the bottom of the basin for several minutes. Rinse the flatware thoroughly, wipe dry, and store them in tarnish-proof cloth.

References

• Online Sterling: Cleaning Flatware
• Good Housekeeping: How to Clean Flatware