How to Quickly Clean Siver Jewelry
Remove Tarnish from Silver Jewelry with Common Household Materials
I used to read those articles about using baking soda and boiling water with aluminum foil to clean silver. The articles always showed this method being used for items like silver plated dinnerware or many jewelry items at a time.
Necessity, or at least a desire for a quickly piece of jewelry, led me to try to clean one piece of silver jewelry quickly. It worked beautifully! I was surprised, impressed, and very happy. I will share my discovery with you so that you too can quickly clean that one piece of silver jewelry in a short time period.
Materials:
1 glazed, ceramic cup or mug
A small amount of aluminum foil
A small amount of baking soda
Boiling water
A piece of silver jewelry to be cleaned
Gentle soap, such a dishwashing liquid
A small piece of clean, soft cloth
Instructions:
Crumple the piece of aluminum foil and place it in the bottom of the cup. Sprinkle the aluminum foil with a teaspoon or so of baking soda...sprinkling it across the surface of the foil in the bottom of the cup. Place the jewelry item to be cleaned on top of the foil. Pour boiling water into the cup to completely cover the item. The water will begin to release a few bubbles as the cleaning reaction takes place. Allow the water to stop bubbling. You may then pour off the hot water into a sink allowing the item to be carefully removed to a paper towel or allow the item to cool completely before picking it up. Wash the item with a gently soap and water. Dry the jewelry item. Use the dry, clean, soft cloth to polish the item. It should be sparkling. You may need to repeat the process for very heavily tarnished items.
I have not cleaned silver jewelry items set with stones. I would only use this process for solid silver jewelry items which are not set with any stones or other adornments which may be loosened by the boiling water.
Published by Mary Martin
Non-profit management, volunteer leadership and education have been primary in Mary's professional life. She taught art classes to both children and adults at DOD MWR, DOD Schools, Merced Junior College, Thr... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentI have a quick jewelry cleaner liquid. I wonder if this system is safer?
A great help, thanks!
As pretty as the 'shiny new look' is after cleaning silver jewelry, I put it off as long as possible to preserve the silver's integrity and have come to enjoy the 'vintage look' knowing my silver jewelry maintains more of its silver content.