Silverware is a staple in many homes, holding sentimental value for the owners. Although silver is elegant and beautiful, it can tarnish over time – air, moisture and food can take its toll on it and make it look dull and discolored. It requires regular maintenance, but you don’t have to use expensive cleaners or professional help. You can restore your silverware’s look using some common household items. Here, we share practical, effective, and affordable kitchen cleaning tips to make your silverware shine effortlessly and quickly!
What Causes Tarnish?
First of all, you need to understand what tarnish really is and what causes it. It is a natural process – silver’s reaction to sulfur-containing substances in the air. When the reaction occurs, a layer of silver sulfide forms on the surface of your silverware. The result of this reaction is a dark, lackluster appearance of the material.
This process is accelerated by everyday activities and exposure to food like eggs, onions and mustard (they all contain sulfur). The process of tarnishing gets even faster if you don’t wash your silverware promptly after each use. There are some environmental factors such as humidity and air pollution which can also speed up the process of tarnishing.
How to Prepare for the Cleaning Process?
Before you start the cleaning process, some preparation is needed. Take every piece of your silverware and rinse it under warm water – it will remove loose dirt, grease and food particles.
Take a soft cloth/non-abrasive sponge and wipe it gently – this step will ensure the surface is grit-free (it can scratch the silver during the cleaning process). These preparation steps should be taken no matter which cleaning method is chosen.
Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil
This is definitely one of the most popular cleaning methods. Everybody has baking soda and aluminium foil in their homes, but often do not know that a simple chemical reaction that occurs when these materials get in touch works wonders for your silverware. It will remove tarnish without harsh chemicals.
Line the bottom of a large bowl/kitchen sink with aluminium foil, placing the shiny side up. Then, lay the silverware on foil – each piece should be in direct contact with it. Put enough water to boil, and then carefully pour it into the bowl/sink. Remember that all silverware should be submerged in the water.
For every liter of boiled water, you should add one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of salt. When you add them, stir the mixture gently until all ingredients are dissolved. Let the silverware soak for 5 to 10 minutes. If you look closer, you will notice that the tarnish is slowly transferring from the silver to aluminium foil. When the time is up and the soaking is over, remove piece by piece, rinse it under warm water and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth – the silverware will regain its brilliant shine and complement your apartment cleaning routine perfectly!
White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Another efficient method for cleaning dull silverware is a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar – a powerful and affordable solution. Mix half a cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. These two ingredients will react, making the mixture fizz. When the reaction is over, just submerge the silverware completely and let it soak for 2 – 3 hours. When you notice that the tarnish is loosen enough, remove each piece and rinse it under warm water. Wipe it with a soft cloth – any remaining residue will be removed and the silver’s luster will be restored. It will look brand new!
Toothpaste
Sometimes, the simplest solutions can be very effective. That’s the case with cleaning silver with toothpaste – it can serve as quick polish for lightly tarnished pieces, or you can use it for extra shine after cleaning. Take a small amount of non-gel toothpaste and put it in a cloth/sponge and gently run your silverware using circular motions. The tarnish will be lifted without scratching and damaging the surface. When you are done, just rinse the silverware under warm water to remove toothpaste and then dry each piece with a soft cloth. This step will prevent water spots which will ruin the look of your silver.
Lemon Juice and Salt
Combination of lemon juice and salt is an excellent choice if you prefer natural solutions. Lemon’s natural acidity will help break down tarnish, while the salt has the role of a gentle abrasive. Take a larger bowl or a container and fill it with warm water, the juice of one lemon and one tablespoon of salt. Submerge the silverware completely in the mixture and let it soak for 5 – 10 minutes. If the tarnish is harder, you can take a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub it away. When your silver is completely clean, rinse it and dry with a cloth.
Cornstarch
We are sure that you are not familiar with it, but cornstarch can be used to clean silverware. Mix cornstarch with water until a thick paste is created. Take a cloth/sponde and apply the paste to the silverware directly. Wait until the paste is completely dry, and a thin film is formed. Once dry, gently rub the silverware with a clean, soft cloth to remove the paste. All tarnish will be removed, but that’s not all – the silverware will look polished and refreshed!
How to Prevent Tarnish?
Now, when you know how to clean it, you need to know how to take further care of your silverware and prevent tarnish from returning. Always store silverware in a cool, dry place or wrap it in anti-tarnish cloths. Also, you can use resealable plastic bags with packs of silica gel in it – it will protect silver from air and moisture. If you use your silverware regularly, it will slow tarnishing because frequent handling and washing will take away sulfur compounds before the reaction with silver occurs. The best advice is to use specially designed silverware cases lined with tarnish-resistant fabric. If you incorporate these steps into your standard cleaning routine, your silverware will be in top condition for years to come.