How to clean silver using homemade and natural products: 7 tricks to make it shine

If you have a set of cutlery from your grandmother hidden in the back of a cupboard and you don’t get it out because you’re too lazy to clean the cutlery, you’re not alone. But when polished properly, antique silver can be just what you need to kick your next dinner party up a notch. But, How do you make tarnished silver look like new without using harsh chemicals?

The short answer is baking soda and aluminum foil. Thanks to a natural chemical process called ion exchange, salt, baking soda, aluminum and water will remove tarnish from silver by transferring it to aluminum foil.

Also we have a few more methods if you are not fond of aluminum foil, including a simple solution with baking soda and water and an easy option with alcohol. Explore the methods below, give them a try, and make your jewelry and silverware shine like new.

Why does silver darken?

The dark or yellowish patina that appears on silver objects is not due to rust, but rather It is due to the reaction of silver with hydrogen sulfide in the air. to form silver sulfide.

Silver can also darken from contact with make-up products, creams, perfumes and even your own sweat (People with a more acidic skin pH darken silver more). It can also be affected by long periods of sun, sea water or cleaning products such as bleach.

How to Clean Silver With Baking Soda, Salt, and Aluminum Foil

For this method of cleaning silver, you should use an aluminum tray or a baking sheet of another material and a large piece of aluminum foil. You will also need a pot or kettle and a small rag or towel.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of table salt 2 tablespoons of baking soda Water

Steps:

Heat several cups of water in a small saucepan. Remove from heat once the water comes to a slight boil.Place enough foil over the entire bottom of a baking sheet (shiny foil side up). You can also use an aluminum tray as an alternative. Place silver jewelry or cutlery in the lined pan. Distribute the objects evenly making sure the pieces are not touching.Sprinkle baking soda and salt over each piece until lightly covered.Pour the boiling water over the silver until it is completely covered and let it soak for 15 minutes.Using a With a non-metal utensil, turn the silver pieces occasionally. Once cool, carefully remove the silver, rinse with water and dry the piece with a clean cloth. If you carry out the process correctly , the tarnish from the silver should show up on the foil, leaving jewelry or utensils polished and shiny. If you still see spots on the silver, repeat the process.

As with the chemical reaction that produced the tarnish in the first place, this removal method is also due to a chemical reaction between aluminum and silver by which the sulfur is transferred to the aluminum.

How to Clean Silver With Vinegar and Aluminum Foil

This simple method uses only two ingredients: vinegar and water. You will also need aluminum foil, a small frying pan, and a rag or towel.

Steps:

Cover a pan with aluminum foil (make sure the shiny side is up). Mix a quart of water with a cup of vinegar in the pan and heat to a boil. Place your dirty silverware in the solution and let it soak. soak for five minutes. Turn off the heat and remove the silver once the water has cooled. Using a clean rag or towel, dry the silver pieces well.

How to clean silver with baking soda and water

Instead of a chemical reaction, this method relies on abrasion, a physical process, to remove tarnish.

Steps:

Mix the baking soda and water in a small bowl until it has a paste-like consistency. Add more baking soda to thicken, or conversely add more water to thin.Once the texture is just right, rub the paste into the tarnished silver until it is polished.To finish the cleaning process, buff with a towel or a rag.

How to Clean Silver With Isopropyl Alcohol

This method is suitable for less dirty silver objects.

Steps:

Mix rubbing alcohol and water at a ratio of 1 to 4 in a small bowl (1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to 4 tablespoons of water). Use a clean rag to rub the mixture onto the silver. Once the stains have been removed, use another cloth to dry your objects.

How to clean silver with cornmeal and water

If your silver has lost its shine this recipe will help you restore it.

Steps:

Make a thick paste of cornmeal (or cream of tartar if you don’t have one) and water and apply to the silver item. Allow the mixture to dry completely and rub with a towel to buff the surface and restore the shine to your jewelry and cutlery.

Why not use toothpaste to clean silver

In some places it is recommended to use toothpaste, but it is not a good idea because may contain particles that will scratch silver.

How to clean silver with ketchup

It may sound strange, but ketchup works great if you need to remove tarnish from silver. This method is very useful if you only have 1 or 2 silver items to clean.

Put a few drops of ketchup on a paper napkin and gently rub tarnished cutlery or jewelry. If there is buildup of old stains, apply the ketchup directly to these areas and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rub with a microfiber cloth and rinse with water. Some items like fancy candle holders or cutlery have more slits. Use a soft toothbrush to get in between the crevices and clean up the tarnish.

How to Clean Silver With White Cleaning Vinegar and Baking Soda

This recipe It is not appropriate for fine silver antique silver items. Still, it’s a great way to restore the luster and shine to your sterling silver jewelry and flatware.

Steps:

Place the silver items in an appropriately sized container and cover with distilled white vinegar. Add baking soda to the container at a ratio of 4 tablespoons of baking soda to every cup of vinegar. Leave the silver in the mixture for 1 hour. Rinse with clean water and dry well with a soft cotton cloth.

Tips for caring for silver

If you want to avoid having to clean your silver frequently, We offer you some recommendations to store and protect your favorite jewelry and cutlery.

Jewelry

Store your favorite silver jewelry where it will not receive any sunlight, in a cool and dark place. Consider purchasing stain-resistant bags or making your own jewelry box liner to keep them clean.Avoid keeping several pieces of jewelry together, so that your necklaces, bracelets and earrings do not get tangled or scratched.

Covered

Acidic ingredients, such as fruit juice, and sulfuric ingredients, such as eggs, can damage silver. If you use silverware to serve or consume any of these food items, be sure to clean it immediately after use, rather than letting it sit.Just like your jewelry, it’s best to keep flatware away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. A highly recommended storage method is to wrap the silver in a cloth (ideally unbleached cotton), place it in a reusable zip bag, and add a small piece of chalk to absorb any lingering moisture.