I’m sharing how I remove tarnish from my sterling silver jewelry. It’s a quick, easy and time tested method that uses household ingredients found in most kitchens. This simple recipe removes tarnish (oxides) only and no silver. Please note, if you have an intentional patina on silver, it will be removed using this method.
A few important things to remember, never use this on plated metal. It could remover damage the thin silver plated surface. Check with the manufacturer if uncertain. I never expose gems to this cleaning process. Heat may cause some gems to change color permanently. Use this method on sterling silver only.
Materials needed: a shallow glass non food dish such as a pyrex pie dish, aluminum foil, one tablespoon baking soda (Arm and Hammer ) , one teaspoon table salt, boiling water, clear water for rinsing, and a soft cloth to dry your pieces.
Procedure
1) Select the sterling silver jewelry to clean. This works great on sterling chains. As mentioned above don’t select plated metals or items with gems.
2) Boil enough tap water to cover the bottom of the glass dish, about 1-2 cups.
3) Cover the bottom of the heat proof dish with tin foil, shiny side up.
4) Place one table spoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of table salt in the bottom of that dish.
5) Pour the boiling water over the tin foil and salt/baking soda mixture.
6) Place your sterling silver jewelry into the hot water mixture. Let it sit for several minutes.
7) Remove jewelry from glass plate and rinse in fresh tap water. and dry throughly with a soft cloth.
8) Store pieces in anti tarnish bags or away from air exposure to minimize tarnish.
If you should decide to use this method and have any question feel free to contact me. Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if used improperly with gems, plated metal etc, as described..
A sterling earring ready to be cleaned with baking soda, table salt and boiling water.
