How To Clean Silverware With Baking Soda And Aluminum Foil

How to Polish Silver: 13 Weird Tricks That Really Work

Make your tarnished silver and dull jewelry shine like new after a cleaning with these trusted common household items.

Aluminum foil

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Tarnished silver is no match for this aluminum foil "recipe." Bring one liter of water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one piece of aluminum foil to a boil. Drop silverware in the pot for 10 seconds (longer if it's very tarnished), then remove using kitchen tongs. Magic! Here's how to polish silver if the built-up tarnish persists: make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and two tablespoons of water. Apply with a damp sponge, then rinse and dry. Did you know there's a reason aluminum foil has a shiny and a dull side?

iStock/FotografiaBasica

Ketchup

If your silver is tarnished, ketchup can help. Here's how to polish silver with this common condiment: Squirt a small amount on a paper towel, and rub gently over the tarnished areas. If your silver isn't getting shinier, let the ketchup sit for 15 minutes, then rub with a soft cloth and rinse clean. For items that have textured details, as with some candlesticks or fancy silverware, use a toothbrush to clean between the crevices.

iStock/vikif

Cornstarch

A paste of cornstarch and water will make silver look new again. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with something mildly abrasive, like cheesecloth or a rough towel. Tip: You can substitute cream of tartar if you're out of cornstarch. Here are some more ingenious household uses for cornstarch.

Jovanmandic

Window cleaner

Here's how to polish silver while you're cleaning your windows—kill two chores with one stone. Spray window cleaner on a rag or toothbrush, and use it to gently scrub your sterling silver. You should be able to restore your silver to its original shiny state.

You won't believe these crazy stories from people who wash windows for a living.

iStock/Stephan Zabel

Hair conditioner

If you want to prevent tarnish, try rubbing conditioner on clean silver.

iStock/andydidyk

Chalk

Silverware will stay shiny if you keep a few pieces of chalk in the drawer or chest where you store it. The chalk absorbs moisture, preventing your nice utensils from tarnishing.

iStock/supergabur

Ammonia

Brighten silver trinkets by soaking them for 10 minutes in a solution of one cup warm water and 1/2 cup clear ammonia. Gently wipe clean and dry.

iStock/Kursad

Vinegar

Here's how to polish silver with vinegar, which you may not know is an incredibly versatile cleaning tool. Return luster and shine to your silverware and jewelry by soaking it in 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons of baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse under cold water, and dry thoroughly.

iStock/uuurska

Lemon juice and salt

Your silver will sparkle after soaking overnight in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/2 cup of instant dry milk.

You'll never guess the reason you should be keeping a lemon on your bedside table.

Originally Published: October 19, 2017

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