Easy step by step directions for how to clean
silver naturally and in about 5 minutes!
Use this method to clean flatware,
serving pieces, and more.
Last fall I wrote a post called How To Clean Silver ~ The Easy Way! It was well received and I hope you used it to breathe new life into your tarnished silver. The method used in the post was a salt bath using tin foil. A few readers commented that baking soda worked just as well as the salt. I thought why not combine the two and see what happens? The urns I cleaned last fall needed to be cleaned again so I decided to give it a try.
How to Clean Silver Naturally!
Not as bad as when I got them but in need of a refresh. I lined my sink with tin foil. I used Kroger foil but it was extra-strength. I don’t know if that made a difference or not. I filled the sink with hot water, 1/2 c. salt and 1/2 c. baking soda. I stirred it up a bit and added an urn. Here is the amazing part. After only 5 minutes I rolled the urn over to check it and look what had happened.
Even I was impressed and actually a little surprised. It worked so much better and quicker than a bath using only salt. I lightly washed each urn to remove any remaining salt or soda. I buffed them with a soft towel and stood back to admire my handy work.
I changed the foil and bath after the first urn but if your pieces aren’t badly tarnished, I think you could do more than one piece at a time. My kitchen sink has 2 sections, one bigger than the other. I used the small side which measures 15 x 12 x 6. If your sink is larger I would recommend using more salt and soda.
This method is for cleaning only. It doesn’t polish silver…but I’m not sure that’s even necessary. Polishes have chemicals and I read that sometimes silver tarnishes faster when it’s polished. I have no idea if that’s true or not…I only wanted to share the information.
Learning about this process has enabled me to bring my silver out of hiding. For years and years, I didn’t use it because I didn’t have the time to clean it. Now I can easily maintain it so it can be used and enjoyed.
Doesn’t matter what kind of salt you use – it dissolves in the hot water. I’ve used this technique for smaller pieces, and just put them in a disposable foil pan, which can be reused for future cleanings. I add white vinegar after putting the silver in the hot water, baking soda, and salt mixture. The vinegar and baking soda bubble up – and the tarnish disappears. Love it!
This is brilliant! Thanks for the great tip!
Annie XO
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips(: I’ll use them to clean my sister’s trophies. Just one question, could I use sea salt?
I’m not sure about using sea salt. The kosher salt is very course and may remove the tarnish better. You could try but it may not work as well!
Perhaps I should clean my silver, I love it tarnished, but it looks so lovely when it’s shiny and new looking.
Have a good day!
Do you have any information on how to clean brass with natural ingredients? Strong chemicals make me sick and I have not been able to find anything that works. HELP, PLEASE!
I think the best way to go about cleaning your brass is to use baking soda and vinegar. Pour a little vinegar into a bowl and add baking soda until it makes a paste. Rub it on your brass until the tarnish is removed. Rinse and buff it to get the shine back. One other idea is to use ketchup. I know that sounds odd but it is acidic which is what you need to remove the tarnish. Squirt some ketchup on a dry rag clean and rub on your brass. Rinse and buff. I hope one of these ideas works!
This is such helpful info! I have a ton of silver to clean. Thanks!
Wow, Ann. I will gladly toss the hideously smelly, full of chemical cleaner in my cupboard. This is brilliant.
Thanks.
Fondly,
Glenda
Ann,
This sounds so good I am going to have to give this a try. I have my mothers silver and I love using but like everyone I know I can’t stand polishing it when needed. I’ll see how this works.
Cynthia
I will have to try this again, I did try the baking soda/foil with NO luck~but perhaps my silver was too tarnished! I actually chalk painted some candlesticks I couldn’t clean and they look great now! Your urns look lovely, just like new!
Beautiful urns with gorgeous limelight hydrangeas. Great tip for cleaning.
Great information, Ann. Thank-you!!!
I have been reading about the tin foil method and want to try this. I have 3 handmirrors that need cleaning,but I am hesitant to put them in the liquid because I am afraid it might hurt the mirror glass. I guess the ony way to see if it will is to try it. Thank you Ann for the information. Have a great weekend.
Thanks for the tips, Ann! Your urns are beautiful!!! Have a nice weekend!~~Angela
Thanks so much, Ann. The urn turned out fantastic! I recently used the foil/baking soda and it didn’t really clean up the tarnish on my silverware but actually added a nice shine. I’m going to try this. I’m a little worried about doing it in my sink though, I used a large pan…I didn’t need a lot of depth. My sink is porcelain, can the tarnish harm it?
XO,
Jane
I’m honestly not sure about harming your sink. My sink is acrylic and it didn’t do a thing to it. I almost wish it had so then I could justify getting a new sink. Ha! The water after cleaning was dirty and the foil becomes sort of discolored. If you are really worried then a large pan would be the way to go. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you so much for sharing, Ann! I’m going to give this a try next week… my silverware is desperately in need of a cleaning!
Great tips Ann! Your silver urns are just beautiful!