How to Clean Sterling Silver With Hot Water & Foil

If you have noticed that your sterling silver is not looking as bright and shiny as it usually does, it may have developed a coating of tarnish. Tarnish develops when silver comes in contact with sulfur-based substances in the air, causing a chemical reaction. Tarnish will often cause sterling silver to turn black over an extended period of time. Cleaning tarnish from sterling silver involves a second chemical, set into motion with hot water and aluminum foil.

Instructions

1

Squeeze a drop of dish soap onto a damp kitchen sponge and turn on the water in your sink. Soap up the sterling silver pieces with the soap from the sponge and hot running water to remove any loose dirt and debris.

2

Rinse the sterling silver pieces with hot water. Lay the sterling silver pieces on a soft cloth to dry.

3

Line the inside of a baking pan with aluminum foil. Choose a baking pan large enough to accommodate your sterling silver.

4

Fill the pan with 2 to 3 inches of hot water. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt to the hot water.

5

Turn on the stove and bring the contents of the pan to a boil. Add the sterling silver pieces to the boiling water and boil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

6

Remove the sterling silver from the pan after the boiling process, using a pair of tongs. Rinse the sterling silver under hot running water to remove any baking soda or salt residue.

7

Dry the sterling silver with a soft cloth. Buff the sterling silver with a dry, soft cloth to make it shine.