How to Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum

Co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating the Aluminum Bath

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]
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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]
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- 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]
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- 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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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Soaking Your Silver

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]
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2
Soak the silver for about 30 seconds. Set a timer. Allow the pieces to sit for about 30 seconds before removing them.^{[6]
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- 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]
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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]
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EXPERT TIP

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional
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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

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]
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- 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.
- Alternatively, you can clean it with a paste of baking soda and hot water.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alicia Sokolowski
  Green Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
- Mix baking soda and water in the ratio of 3:1 to make the paste.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alicia Sokolowski
  Green Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
- Rub the paste on the silver item, then rinse with cold water and dry with a microfiber cloth.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alicia Sokolowski
  Green Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
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.^{[13]
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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.^{[14]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can you clean silver?

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.

Alicia Sokolowski

Green Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can rub baking soda paste on the silver item with a microfiber cloth. Use a toothbrush for cleaning areas that are difficult to reach. Then rinse with cold water. Finally, wipe with a microfiber cloth to make it shine.
Question

Which household item can you use for cleaning silver?

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.

Alicia Sokolowski

Green Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can use baking soda paste to clean silver. Combine baking soda and hot water in the ratio of 3:1 to make the paste.
Question

Can I use this with gems?

Community Answer

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.