I went through my jewelry boxes today and found several pieces that are very tarnished, one in particular was almost black. I though I should share my easy tips for removing tarnish in an extremely delicate way. It is much more delicate than cleaning solutions and is safe on both solid sterling silver and plated metals, both gold and silver. No rubbing required! My results are shown below:
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Tarnish Removal
1. Line a deep sink (I use my kitchen sink but a bathroom sink or large bowl will also work) with a sheet of aluminum foil
2. Boil 3-4 cups of water in the microwave or on the stove.
3. Place each piece on the foil ensuring the tarnished metal is touching the aluminum
4. Slowly pour the boiling water over the jewelry pieces until they are fully submerged
5. Sprinkle baking soda (about 1-2 tablespoons at a time) over the pieces
A chemical reaction between the tarnish (oxidization), the baking soda, and the aluminum foil takes place causing it to bubble and remove the tarnish from the metal without stripping any of the metal (essential in plated pieces especially filigree).6. Continue steps 4-5 until the pieces look shiny and bright
7. Rinse with fresh water and pat dry
8. Lay on an absorbant surface such as paper towels or soft cloth to dry.
It's that simple!
