Step 1: Line A Small Bowl with Foil
Line a small bowl with aluminium foil—shiny side up.
This is what helps create the chemical reaction that lifts the tarnish.
Step 2: Add Bicarb Soda
Pour in enough bicarbonate soda to fully cover your jewellery.
Step 3: Pour Over Boiling Water
Carefully pour boiling water into the bowl, small amounts at a time. Watch it fizz! This is working to loosen any grime and tarnish build-up.
Step 5: Let It Sit & Stir Occasionally
Let the piece soak for around 5 minutes, using a spoon to stir now and then while keeping the bicarb covering the item. Then, continue to let it sit for at least another 10 minutes.
Step 6: Rub the Tarnish Away
The bicarb/water mix alone is usually enough to pull tarnish off of silver, but for stubborn spots you can scoop some of the bicarb paste from the bowl and rub it into any areas with more tarnish - a toothbrush or sponge does the job perfectly. At this point you should see the original silver colour return!
Step 7: Rinse & Dry Thoroughly
Rinse your piece under lukewarm water and pat it completely dry with a soft towel.
Moisture = tarnish’s best friend, so be sure to reeeally dry it!
Step 8: Polish to Finish
For a shiny finish, you can further buff the piece using a polishing cloth.