1. **Prepare the Container:**
– Line a heat-resistant container or sink with a sheet of aluminum foil, shiny side up. The container needs to be large enough to hold the silver items you want to clean.
2. **Add Baking Soda:**
– Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the aluminum foil. A typical ratio is about 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of hot water, but this can vary.
3. **Pour Hot Water:**
– Carefully pour hot (but not boiling) water over the aluminum foil and baking soda mixture. The heat helps activate the cleaning process.
4. **Add Silver Items:**
– Place the tarnished silver items in the solution, ensuring they are in contact with the aluminum foil. You might want to gently agitate the items to ensure they’re fully immersed and in contact with the foil.
5. **Wait:**
– Allow the silver items to soak for a few minutes. You’ll notice bubbles forming, which indicates that the chemical reaction is occurring. This reaction converts silver sulfide back into silver and releases the sulfur compounds.
6. **Rinse and Dry:**
– After a few minutes, remove the silver items, rinse them thoroughly under cold water, and dry them with a clean cloth.
### **The Science Behind It:**
The aluminum foil acts as a catalyst in the chemical reaction between the silver tarnish (silver sulfide) and baking soda. The aluminum foil reacts with the baking soda in the hot water, creating an electrochemical reaction that transfers the sulfur from the silver to the foil, effectively removing the tarnish.
This method is popular because it’s both efficient and gentle on the silver, avoiding harsh chemicals or scrubbing that might damage delicate items. Even rich individuals use this method for its effectiveness and ease, showing that sometimes the best solutions are simple and practical!
ADVERTISEMENT
