How To Clean Jewelry With Tin Foil

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Sterling silver can be cleaned with baking soda and aluminum. Mixing baking soda, boiling water, and vinegar in a aluminum-lined tray will help remove tarnish from silver. Soak your silver in boiling water for about 30 seconds before polishing it to remove any stains.

1

Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Pick a baking pan big enough to hold all the silver pieces you're cleaning. Use aluminum foil to line the entire pan. Make sure to cover the full interior.^[1]
2
Boil a cup of water. Measure out one cup of water. Place it in a pot over high heat. Keep heating the water until it comes to a boil.^[2]
- While the water boils, you can mix in your other ingredients to your pan.
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3
Mix the baking soda and vinegar into your aluminum-lined pan. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt to your pan. Then, slowly pour in half a cup of white vinegar.^[3]
- The vinegar will cause the baking soda to fizz slightly. You do not want the baking soda to fizz too much, which is why it's important to pour the vinegar in slowly to only cause a small reaction.
4

Add the boiling water to your pan. After the vinegar is added, add the boiling water. You do not need to mix the ingredients once they're added. Simply dump your water into the pan.^[4]

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1

Add the silver to your pan. Make sure none of the silver pieces are touching. Set them in the pan. Make sure each piece makes contact with the foil.^[5]
2
Soak the silver for about 30 seconds. Set a timer. Allow the pieces to sit for about 30 seconds before removing them.^[6]
- After the pieces are done soaking, use tongs to remove them. You should set them down on an absorbent surface, such as a paper towel.
3

Rinse and buff the silver pieces. Dry the pieces using a rag or paper towels. After they are dry, take a soft cloth. Gently buff the pieces using this cloth. Keep buffing until you've removed any dirt, debris, or tarnish and the pieces are shiny.^[7]
4

Repeat the process if necessary. Very dirty or tarnished sterling silver may not be completely clean after the first wash. If your silver is still dull and dirty, repeat the process once more.^[8]

EXPERT TIP

Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60's through the 70's. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family's tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Use baking soda for small stains or if you're in a pinch for time. Baking soda is a quick and easy method to clean silver, but it might not get your items as clean as a commercial product would.

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1
Do not use this method on other types of silver. Sterling silver will not be damaged by aluminum and baking soda. Other types of silver may be damaged by this method, however. Only use it for sterling silver pieces.^[9]
- If you're not sure if your jewelry is sterling silver, err on the side of caution and refrain from washing it with aluminum and baking soda.
2

Use tongs to touch hot silver. You should never remove sterling silver with your bare hands. It will be hot after being exposed to boiling water. Use a pair of tongs to remove the silver.^[10]
3

Leave very tarnished silver in the water longer. While 30 seconds is usually all it takes, the pieces may still look tarnished and dirty after 30 seconds. In this case, let the pieces sit a little longer, checking them regularly until much of the dirt, debris, and tarnish is coming off.^[11]

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Add New Question

Question

Can I use this with gems?

If your gems are all genuine semi-precious or precious stones and there are no glues or enamel paints involved with their settings, you can clean them with this solution.
Question

Is this method safe for amber jewelry?

No. Never place amber in liquid - just wipe the amber with a dry soft cloth.
Question

How can I do this for more than one load?

It's a chemical reaction that's doing the work, so when the chemicals are used up, it stops working. So, after the first batch is done, remove it and put the next one in. If it works, great. If it doesn't, it's time to start over, including replacing the aluminum foil.
Question

Can I clean silver jewellery containing crystals with foil and baking soda?

I just cleaned Swarovski crystal and sterling silver earrings with it and had no problem. The Swarovskis were crystal with the AB finish, and it's just as shiny as it was before.
Question

Is this process safe for lab generated diamonds?

Yes. Lab generated diamonds are the same as normal diamonds on a physical level. The only real difference between the two is that natural diamonds have fractures and imperfections. Either way the diamond should be fine.
Question

My pendant has a gold bezel, can I emerge gold into the baking soda without damage?

Yes, gold with not rust or tarnish.
Question

Some recipes call for a tablespoon of vinegar and or salt. This one does not. Would adding vinegar or salt make the solution work better?

Salt and vinegar can be corrosive on metals. For that reason, it's not recommended to use on something as valuable as sterling.
Question

Is this safe for satin-silver band instruments?

Take it to an instrument shop; don't try to clean any instrument yourself. You'll get baking soda stuck in keys, and it will cost way more to fix your mistakes than getting it cleaned professionally in the first place.
Question

How should I clean soap streaks on a glass shower door?

Use Lime Away. Put on rubber gloves, and be sure the ventilation is good.
Question

Should I clean a silver cake tray with baking soda and/or salt?

Yes, you can.

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Article SummaryX

To clean sterling silver with baking soda and aluminum, first line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Then bring 1 cup of water to a boil on the stove, adding 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ a cup of white vinegar as the water comes to a boil. Pour the vinegar slowly so there's not too much fizzing! When your mixture has boiled, add it to the baking pan, then put your silver in so each piece is touching the foil. Soak your silver for about 30 seconds, then rinse, and buff your pieces to perfection! If you want to learn how to clean sterling silver with a lot of tarnish, keep reading!

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