Polishing Silver
It's such a pity to see the shiny, lustrous piece of silver we picked up some time ago fading away into something very unattractive. Silver is a metal that undergoes chemical reactions with the sulfur-containing compounds present in the air. This reaction is responsible for causing the tarnishes on your precious piece of silverware or jewelry. However, all is not lost. The lost sheen can be regained by polishing silver. Moreover, you do not have to go to the jeweler to get it done! Polishing silver jewelry at home is possible, effective and easy.
Polishing Silver
Who doesn't like the look of sparkling silverware on the dining table! They sure are a delight! However, their sheen doesn't last long and soon fades away. There are several commercially available silver burnishing products, which can be used to shine silver. However, the effect of the toxic chemicals in them can make them worse. Here are some home remedies for polishing silver.
Polishing Silver with Baking Soda
Did you know the answer to your drab looking silver jewelry or silverware was in your very kitchen? Well, baking soda and water are all you need to get back the lost luster of your silver. Just take some baking soda and add some water to make a paste. Add the water gradually, since you do not want your paste turning all runny. The paste should be somewhat chalk-toothpaste like consistency. Once your paste is ready, using a clean piece of cloth, rub the paste onto the dull piece of silver. If your silverware has too many grooves and intricacies, use a toothbrush to rub into them. Polishing silverware or jewelry with lots of tarnishes can be daunting. However, for the tarnishes, just sprinkle some baking soda on a damp piece of cloth and rub in onto the tarnishes. Rub till the tarnish is no longer visible. Rinse and dry well. This remedy works and will revive the lost sheen! Having said this, there is also a dark side to this remedy. Baking soda is considered to be an abrasive to silver, thus, may tend to damage the silver. So be careful! Read more on how to remove tarnish from silver.
Polishing Silver with Tin Foil
Take a large pan and blanket it with a sheet of aluminum foil at the bottom. Place the tarnished silver item on the aluminum foil. Now keep another pot filled with one gallon water on the burner and let it boil. Once boiled take the pot of boiling water and place it in the sink. Add one cup of baking soda into the boiling water.Some froth may spill out, however, since the pot is in the sink, you need not worry. Now, take this hot baking soda solution and pour it over the silver in the aluminum foil lined pan. The water should completely immerse the silver. Within minutes the tarnish will begin vanishing. For severely tarnished silver, you may need to carry out the same procedure some more times.
Polishing Silver with Toothpaste
White toothpaste is an effective remedy for burnishing small silver articles like silver fingerings, earrings, etc. After dampening your tarnished silver, rub some white toothpaste onto it with an old toothbrush. Brush the silverware gently. You will find the shine returning. Rinse and dry.
People with sensitive skin should not forget to wear gloves while polishing silver jewelry or other silver items. Moreover, keep your silver away from salt as far as possible. This is because salt tarnishes silver quickly. Wash salt residues off your silverware immediately after use. Silver may be a fragile metal that gets tarnished easily, however, polishing silver can revive their lost luster. Thus, silver reigns!
