How to Wash Gold and Save from Tarnish Using Simple Pantry Ingredients

Silver is used to creating beautiful, heirloom-quality bits like vases, serving platters, cutlery, and candlesticks. These tasteful metal accessories lend a luxurious touch to dining room settings and display shelves, but over time, exposure to light and air can make the shiny finish appear stained or dull. Since these pieces are meant to be displayed or used, silver items periodically need just a little upkeep. Luckily, cleaning silver doesn’t need to be dull. With a couple of pantry ingredients, such as salt and baking soda, you can make easy work of removing tarnish from silver things. Use our simple suggestions about how to clean tarnished silver (and steps for how to polish silver and stop tarnish) to receive your accessories sparkling again.

For routine care, a fast wash in soapy water may be a sufficient method to maintain silver glossy. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. In between cleanings, store silver in a cool, dry area to prevent surplus tarnish.

Cleaning tarnished silver (even greatly tarnished pieces) can be accomplished using a simple homemade remedy, and you probably already have all of the components that you need. Cleaning silver with a blend of aluminum foil, baking soda, and salt does the trick for both small and large silver pieces. Try out these simple techniques to wash silver and watch grime wash off before your eyes.

Tarnished Silver
Tarnished Silver

How to Clean Tarnished Silver with Vinegar

To get a more vigorous silver polishing, incorporate the cleaning power of vinegar, also. This system works particularly well for cleaning silverware. After lining your pan or sink with transparency, then add 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon kosher salt into your aluminum-lined dish. Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar into the dish and the mix will begin to bubble. Add 1 to 2 cups boiling water (you’ll have enough liquid to completely submerge your silver pieces). Put pieces to the dish in a single layer. Soak lightly tarnished bits for 30 seconds or around 3 minutes to get more heavily tarnished pieces. Remove items with tongs, dry, and buff.

More Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Silver

You will find lots of home remedies for cleaning silver. Just like any new cleaning process, you should examine these techniques on an inconspicuous spot first before diving in.

Polish Silver with Ketchup

For extra sheen, try cleaning silver with ketchup. The condiment can be used as a glue to polish tarnished metals including silver and brass.

Remove Water Spots from Silver Lemon Juice

Lemon is a cleansing powerhouse and can be used on silver, also. Remove water stains from silverware by dipping a microfiber cloth in a bit of concentrated lemon juice and polish away. When storing, keep silver in a dry, cool spot and provide delicate bits some space so that they aren’t prone to running into one another.

Restore Shine to Silver Toothpaste

Cleaning silver toothpaste may create sparkling outcomes. Dilute toothpaste with a little water, polish the silver using a soft cloth, and wash. Do not use toothpaste on silver-plated items, as it can corrode the end.

Cleaning Silver-Plated and Antique Silver Items

Knowing how to wash silver-plated items, such as silver bracelets, rings, as well as other jewelry, can be a little tricky. As these bits only have silver plated over the surface of another metal, vigorous cleaning or submerging things in a liquid way, along with regular wear and tear, may lead to flaking. Test methods in an inconspicuous place before proceeding with a deep clean. And in case your silver jewelry has gemstones or other vases, just use a few drops of mild soap or perhaps baby shampoo mixed into water to wash down before leasing. Use cotton swabs or a soft bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies. If you use a brush, use a light hand so you don’t unintentionally scratch the surface.

For classic silver or pieces using a high value (whether real dollars or sentimental), you might want to consult with an antique seller, antiques, or expert restoration company before silver. An expert can offer you pointers unique to your piece and advise on how to best clean your silver.

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