Place a piece of aluminum foil at the bottom of a non-aluminum pan. The sink works well for this step.
Fill the pan or sink with two cups of hot water. Place a tbsp. of baking soda in the water and mix with the water.
Place the silver flatware in the water and allow to soak for a couple of hours. The soda and water mixture will slowly but surely remove the tarnish from the flatware.
Place the silver flatware in a different solution if the baking soda does not get it clean. For example, place the aluminum foil in a pan sink with 2 tsp. of salt and cover with hot water. Allow the silver flatware to rest in this solution until clean. A small packet of dry milk, 12 oz. of water and tablespoon of vinegar will also do the trick. Another alternative method is to use ordinary toothpaste and a clean cloth. Work the toothpaste carefully into any crevices in the silver flatware, then buff it off.
Things You Will Need - Pan or sink
- Aluminum foil
- Hot water
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Powdered milk
- Vinegar
- Toothpaste
- Silver polish
- Clean, dry cloth
Tips
- Do not use the baking soda or salt methods on silver flatware with a French gray or oxidized finish.
- If none of these methods will work to get your silver flatware clean, get a good silver polish such as Wright's. Wash the silver flatware with dish soap and water afterward.
- Tarnish-resistant cloths are available for storage of silver flatware.
- Use a glass container for the soaking baths to ensure non-reactivity.
- Washing the silver flatware with a solution of soapy water and ammonia may clean it up nicely.
