Make your silver shine again like new
Tonya Butcher
Award winning artist and enamellist.
This jewelry-cleaning trick is so easy, it'll blow your mind
So, why does it happen? The tarnish develops as a chemical reaction when silver combines with sulfur and creates silver sulfide, darkening the surface. The resulting color can range in color from yellow to black, which not the most attractive way to show off your jewelry.
Here is how to reverse this chemical reaction in a jiffy to with items you likely already have at home.
What you'll need:
A dish or bowl
Aluminum foil
Boiling water
1 tablespoon of baking soda for each cup of water
What you'll do:
Line the bottom of a dish or bowl with aluminum foil (shiny side up).
Bring water to a roaring boil (it should be enough to fill that bowl or dish).
Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water. Expect that the solution may bubble and froth a bit.
Place the piece of silver jewelry in the dish, making sure it's touching the aluminum foil. This is essential for the chemical reaction to occur.
Pour the solution of baking soda and boiling water into dish.
Let sit for two to 10 minutes, depending on the level of tarnish.
Allow it to dry ... and be amazed!
If you're in shock and wondering how it works, here's the deal: It's actually reversing the chemical reaction that made your silver tarnish in the first place.