Do you have silver jewelry that has become tarnished? Here are some at-home tarnish removal methods I recently learned about through a beading e-newsletter I subscribe to.
Tarnish Busting Formula
1. Choose a plastic or glass (never metal) pan that is deep enough so that when filled with water your tarnished jewelry will be covered.
2. Put a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of the pan.
3. Pour near-boiling water into the pan.
4. Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to the water.
5. Place the tarnished jewelry onto the piece of aluminum.
6. If necessary, add more baking soda to the dish until you see the tarnish coming off your piece. You should get a slight bubbling effect with an odd odor.
7. You can use a soft toothbrush to completely remove tarnish if needed. It is not known how this chemical reaction would affect gemstones or other beads. Jewelry strung on silk, cotton, or nylon thread could possibly come apart due to the use of the hot water.
Other at-home tarnish remedies:
- Mix mild soap, water, and a drop of ammonia. Rub the tarnished piece with the mixture and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
- Place clean silver in a plastic zip bag with a piece of white chalk inside. This keeps any new tarnish from occurring.
- Cover newly cleaned silver with car wax to inhibit tarnishing.
Do you have any silver-cleaning tips to share?
