DIY Cleaning Silver A rainy day science experiment

Yuk, what is that gunk!

Over time, all sterling silver will tarnish. It is simply a fact of life. When silver is exposed to sulphur compounds in the air and other elements in its environment, a natural chemical reaction takes place. This creates tarnish, which may appear as yellow, brown, blue, purple, or the familiar black coating that most of us recognize.

The good news is that tarnish is completely normal and can usually be removed. While you cannot prevent it entirely, proper storage and regular care can slow the process considerably. A few simple habits will help keep your sterling silver looking bright, beautiful, and ready to wear for many years to come.

Cleaning using the Tinfoil Method. Cleans like a champ! Before you begin, it is important to know that this cleaning method is only suitable for plain sterling silver. Do not use it on jewelry containing gemstones, crystals, pearls, or other delicate materials, as they can be damaged by the process.

If you are cleaning plain sterling silver, though, this is a safe and surprisingly fun method. It is also a great activity to do with kids on a rainy afternoon. Watching the tarnish disappear almost feels like a magic trick, but it is really just a fascinating little science experiment happening right before your eyes

What you need:

• a tarnished piece of silver

• a dish large enough to put your items inside of - you want the water to go over the height of your jewelry

• aluminum foil

• measuring cup (large glass 4 cup to make things easier)

• measuring spoon

• baking soda

• salt

• tongs or something to grab your items

• soft cloth for drying your silver

• If you are doing this with kids, provide some cloths and aprons for the dripping water mess

STEPS:

1. Boil your water.

2. Line the bottom of your container with the shiny side of the tin foil facing up.

3. Once the water has boiled, pour it into your glass 4 cup measuring cup. This ratio changes depending on how much water you need. I normally use 1 to 2 tablespoons for this mixture

4. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt and then stir (it will froth a bit)

5. Add water to the dish

6. Place the silver item into the dish and ensure that it is touching the foil.

7. Wait for a few minutes or longer for really tarnished pieces.

8. Remove and wipe with a soft cloth. Avoid using a rough paper towel as it could scratch the surface.

Does this method always work?

Often it does. If the tarnish is particularly heavy, you may need to repeat the process a couple of times. It is still one of my favourite ways to clean plain sterling silver because it is quick, inexpensive, and uses common household ingredients instead of specialized silver cleaners.

I have used this method many times on my own sterling silver chains, rings, spoons, and other solid silver items with excellent results. Just remember that it is intended for plain sterling silver and should not be used on jewelry containing gemstones, crystals, pearls, or other delicate materials.

Cheers!! Vikki

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