Instant n' Easy Way to Clean Black, Tarnisshed Silver

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#16
Birdie81 said:
I just discovered another great trick. If you soak your silver with aluminum (like tin foil) and some salt you can literally wipe the tarnish off of it. But if it's really intricate or really tarnished it doesn't totally clean it. Great for antique flatware though.
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I know this post is pretty old, but I've got a chain-link necklace that's really tarnished, so I'm looking for some sort of solution to soak it in, rather than a paste to rub on it. With this method, do you just stick a piece of foil in a cup of salt water?

Anyone else have any new ideas since this thread was posted a year ago?

Thanks!
 
#18
Be careful what you use. I know this thread is old, but someone mentioned using toothpaste. Toothpaste is an abrasive and it can scratch the surface of your silver. Don't use anything that is too rough and make sure you use a soft cloth. Otherwise you are going to get scratches on your pieces.
 
#20
The only product I use on my sterling, and plate is Hagerty Silver Foam.
It's as easy as hand washing, and doesn't ruin the patina of an intricate sterling repousse.

It is inexpensive, so I can't see why anyone would need to scrounge up cigarette ashes to polish their silver? Here in Canada,with cigarettes at $10.00 a pack; it seems costly and more trouble than seeking out a ready made silver polish.
 
#22
Laurie8504 said:
I know this post is pretty old, but I've got a chain-link necklace that's really tarnished, so I'm looking for some sort of solution to soak it in, rather than a paste to rub on it. With this method, do you just stick a piece of foil in a cup of salt water?

Anyone else have any new ideas since this thread was posted a year ago?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I just saw this tip in Lucky magazine and it worked AMAZINGLY well: Line the bottom of a small glass baking dish (Pyrex, whatever) with aluminum foil, and place your tarnished silver in the dish. Sprinkle baking soda over the top, then pour hot water into the dish (enough to cover) and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth, and presto! No more tarnish!

I had an old silver "Until There's a Cure" bangle that sat in my jewelry box for a bit and got very tarnished, so I had stopped wearing it altogether. Nothing worked - not the plain baking soda paste, silver jewelry cleaner, not a polishing cloth, nothing. I tried this tip as soon as I saw it in Lucky last week (figuring I had nothing to lose) and it worked soooo well! I was shocked and delighted.

HTH!
 
#23
I use baking soda, salt, and water, but I'm going to try just the baking soda and water with the aluminum.

Personally, I don't like to use silver polish because I'm trying to limit the chemicals in my house - and I don't think its good for the environment.:flowers:
 
#24
greenpixie said:
I just saw this tip in Lucky magazine and it worked AMAZINGLY well: Line the bottom of a small glass baking dish (Pyrex, whatever) with aluminum foil, and place your tarnished silver in the dish. Sprinkle baking soda over the top, then pour hot water into the dish (enough to cover) and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth, and presto! No more tarnish!

I had an old silver "Until There's a Cure" bangle that sat in my jewelry box for a bit and got very tarnished, so I had stopped wearing it altogether. Nothing worked - not the plain baking soda paste, silver jewelry cleaner, not a polishing cloth, nothing. I tried this tip as soon as I saw it in Lucky last week (figuring I had nothing to lose) and it worked soooo well! I was shocked and delighted.

HTH!
Click to expand...

ooh thanks! I'm going to try this as soon as i get some baking soda.
 
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