As silver oxidizes it will tarnish. This layer of oxidation can be removed without polishing and scrubbing by simply dipping your silver in this non-toxic electrochemical dip. Another big advantage to using a dip is that the liquid can reach places a polishing cloth cannot.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Minutes
Here's How:
- Line the bottom of the sink or a glass baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Fill the foil-lined container with steaming hot water.
- Add salt (sodium chloride) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the water. Some recipes call for 2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt, whereas others call for 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and salt. Personally, I wouldn't measure the amounts... just add a bit of each substance.
- Drop the silver items into the container so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. You will be able to watch the tarnish disappear.
- Leave heavily tarnished items in the solution for as long as 5 minutes. Otherwise, remove the silver when it appears clean.
- Rinse the silver with water and gently buff it dry with a soft towel.
- Ideally, you should store your silver in a low-humidity environment. You can place a container of activated charcoal or a piece of chalk in the storage area to minimize future tarnish.
Tips:
- Use care when polishing or dipping silver plated items. It is easy to wear away the thin layer of silver and cause more harm than good through overcleaning.
- Minimize exposing your silver to substances which contain sulfur (e.g., mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, onions, latex, wool) as the sulfur will cause corrosion.
- Using your silver flatware/holloware or wearing silver jewelry helps to keep it free from tarnish.
What You Need:
- Sink or glass pan
- Hot water
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Aluminum foil
- Tarnished silver
