Before diving into the method, it’s helpful to understand why silver tarnishes in the first place. Tarnish is a result of a chemical reaction between silver and sulfur-containing substances in the air. This reaction forms silver sulfide, a dark coating that dulls the surface of your silverware. While commercial polishes are designed to remove this tarnish, they often require extensive rubbing and contain potentially harmful chemicals.

The trick my aunt taught me leverages a simple chemical reaction that reverses the tarnish, bringing back the silver’s shine without the need for abrasive polishing.

You only need a few household items:

Aluminum foil
Baking soda
Boiling water
A non-metallic container (like a glass or plastic dish)
Tongs or a spoon for handling the silverware

Line the Container with Aluminum Foil: Begin by lining the bottom of your non-metallic container with aluminum foil. Make sure the shiny side is facing up.

Add Baking Soda: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the foil. Depending on the size of your container and the amount of silverware, use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda.

Place the Silverware: Lay your tarnished silverware on top of the baking soda and aluminum foil. Ensure that each piece is in contact with the foil, as this is crucial for the reaction to occur.

Pour Boiling Water: Carefully pour boiling water over the silverware until it is fully submerged. As soon as the hot water hits the baking soda and foil, you’ll notice the tarnish begin to disappear almost instantly.

Wait and Watch: Let the silverware soak in the solution for 5-8 minutes. The chemical reaction between the aluminum foil, baking soda, and tarnish will break down the silver sulfide, leaving your silverware looking shiny and new.

Remove and Rinse: Using tongs or a spoon, carefully remove the silverware from the container. Rinse each piece under cool running water to wash away any remaining baking soda residue.

Dry and Buff: Dry your silverware thoroughly with a soft cloth. If needed, give it a gentle buff to enhance the shine further.

The magic of this method lies in the electrochemical reaction that occurs between the aluminum foil and the silverware. When you add baking soda and boiling water to the mix, it creates an environment where the tarnish (silver sulfide) is converted back to silver. The sulfur atoms from the silver sulfide transfer to the aluminum, forming aluminum sulfide and leaving your silverware tarnish-free.