So, let’s say you’re getting ready to host a dinner or holiday event, and you’ve decided to wake up the china and good silver for the occasion. It’s fun to break out the good stuff every once in a while! But since we don’t use our fancy table settings all that often, things tend to collect dust and grime — even in storage. The last thing you need is to find tarnished silver when you go to set the table. Here are some ways to get rid of that tarnish fast — so it won’t tarnish your lovely meal.
1. Toothpaste
This one is pretty well-known, but if you’re willing to use a little elbow grease (and you have a bit of time), an old toothbrush and toothpaste can shine your silver right up.
2. The Old Foil Trick
Backed by science (though I’m not sure exactly how), the foil trick can do wonders for tarnished silver. Just line your kitchen sink with aluminum foil, with the shiny side up. Then, throw in as much silver as your sink will hold, and add at least a cup of baking soda. Now boil a big pot of water and pour it over the silver. If you need more water to cover it all, you can add your hottest tap water. Let everything soak — you might actually see the silver brighten before your eyes. Once the water has cooled down enough not to burn you, pull each piece out and rub it with a cloth. Everything should look amazing!
3. Laundry Detergent
Yep, really! But this trick uses foil, too. Line your sink or a large bowl with foil and add hot water. Pour in a tablespoon of laundry detergent — powdered. Soak the silver pieces for 1 minute, rinse, and dry.
4. Ketchup
The acid in ketchup makes a great silver polish! Pour some into a bowl and let your silver sit in it for 5-10 minutes, then rinse and buff it dry.
5. Corn Starch
Make a paste out of corn starch and water, and you’ve got a great silver polish. Rub it into your silver with a damp cloth, let it dry, then rub it again with cheesecloth or rough towel to remove the rest of the gunk.
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