How To Clean Silver with Baking Soda

If your silver is looking dull and would benefit from a good cleaning, aluminum foil and baking soda are all you need to get it shining again even if there is a heavy tarnish. This simple and easy method will restore your silver to its previous beauty without the harsh chemicals that are sometimes found in silver polish.

The best part is that by using these inexpensive household items you can clean silver jewelry, silver cutlery, serving pieces, and all your household silver the easy way.

after of clean silver using only all natural cleaner

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How To Clean Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil

I found this silver tray at my favorite antique dealer for $5.00.   

Beautiful vintage silver tray with embellished edges with years of tarnish - photo is before cleaning with baking soda and aluminum foil

This piece was in definite need of some polishing and cleaning so this, along with a set of good silverware I found for only $15 at a thrift store, were my test pieces.

*This post may contain affiliate links and I’ll earn a commission if you shop through them. You can read my full disclosure here.

heavily tarnished antique silver platter with embellished edge and heavily tarnish antique silver serving fork and Wm and Rogers and Son tarnished silverware before being cleaned with baking soda and aluminum foil

Supplies

Instructions

Overhead view of stainless steel kitchen sink with stopper in place to clean silver

Start by putting a stopper in the sink you'll be using or, use a container that can withstand hot water and is large enough for the pieces you want to clean. A baking dish is also a great option.

overhead view of stainless steel sink links with aluminum foil with a layer of tarnished silverware on top of the foil sprinkled with baking soda

Line the kitchen sink or container with a piece of aluminum foil. 

Place the pieces or piece of silver directly on top of the shiny side of the aluminum foil.

Do not stack the pieces if possible. The goal is to have each piece in direct contact with the aluminum foil.

Sprinkle pieces heavily with baking soda.

blue tea kettle on top of electric stove
tarnished silverware in a stainless steel sink lying on top of aluminum foil sprinkled with baking soda and hot water added in the process of watching the tarnish disappear almost magically

Next, pour boiling water into sink or container allowing the water to dissolve the baking soda. The cleaning that takes place is the result of a chemical reaction that's just been created.

tarnished silverware in a stainless steel sink lying on top of aluminum foil sprinkled with baking soda and hot water added in the process of watching the tarnish disappear almost magically a little further into the process

Fill your container with enough water so that the silver pieces are fully immersed and covered by this simple solution.

Allow everything to soak for 3 to 5 minutes.

sterling silver being cleaned in a stainless steel sink with aluminum foil and baking soda

When the results achieved are what you desire, rinse each piece with cool water and buff lightly with a dry microfiber cloth or any other soft clean cloth.

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Top Tips

  • Do not use a paper towel to dry the silver as it will cause scratches.
  • Store cleaned silver wrapped in microfiber clothes, soft flannel, or an anti-tarnish bag to keep it shiny and ready for use.
  • Want to move the pieces after the boiling water has been added. Use kitchen tongs to protect your hands from the hot water.
  • Have a piece and you're not sure if this will harm it or not? Test the process in a small inconspicuous spot of the silver.

Reviews from Pinterest Users

Collage of screenshots showing comments from Pinterest users who tried this method to clean silver using baking soda and aluminum foil and documenting their awesome results!

How To Clean Silver

This recipe for how to clean silver is the best ever for a natural silver polish and tarnish remover. It works like magic and the tarnish literally disappears right before your eyes.
Print Pin Save
Prep Time:5 minutes
Hands On Time:1 minute
Additional Time:10 minutes
Total Time:16 minutes

Equipment

  • Sink with stopper or glass baking dish

Supplies

Instructions

  • Place stopper in sink (if using sink).
  • Line sink or glass baking dish with aluminum foil.
  • Place silver on top of aluminum foil in direct contact with the foil.
  • DO NOT STACK pieces.
  • Sprinkle silver heavily with baking soda.
  • Boil water in tea kettle.
  • Pour boiling water from the side (not directly on to the baking soda). Add boiling water until all pieces are covered by the baking soda and water solution.
  • Allow silver to soak in the solution for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove silver from water, rinse, and dry with a soft cloth.

Notes

Do not use paper towels to dry the silver as they will scratch your pieces.
Store cleaned silver wrapped in microfiber clothes or soft flannel to keep it shiny and ready for use.

As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.

Makes: 1 batch of silver cleaner
Calories:
Author: Mary Beth
Cost: 25 cents
collage of the cleaning process for cleaning silverware and antique silver using the aluminum foil and baking soda method

This is the best way I have ever found to clean silverware, larger silver items, and even delicate silver earrings.

Use these inexpensive ways to clean silver and enjoy your beautiful pieces everyday - not just for special occasions!

closing signature block with photo of Mary Beth and a turquoise blue bucket graphic

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22 Comments

  1. Simplee Sue says:

    Thank you for the tip. There is no way that I want to sit and polish silver. This is why I pass up sterling silver.
    ~we may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
    https:simpleesue.com/household-tips-tuesday-3

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank so much for stopping by, Sue ~ I'm glad you liked the tip. Since I've been cleaning my silver this way I find that I am definitely using it more and I'm on the lookout to buy more ~ the baking soda and hot water are so much easier than the smelly nasty cream I used to use. Have a wonderful week! hugs, mb

  2. I came over from My Romantic Home. What an amazing tip. I've steered clear of silver/silverplate for this very reason of polishing, yet I've inherited pieces I'd love to be using for display. Thanks!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I'm so happy you stopped by and found a useful tip ~ have a lovely weekend! hugs, mb

  3. I'm so happy you stopped by and found a useful tip ~ have a lovely weekend! hugs, mb

  4. Jeannie-JB says:

    Very cool tip! Thanks for sharing. I stopped by from six sisters!

  5. Danyelle Franciosa says:

    Thanks a lot for the tip and I was learned on how to clean a silver. I have so many silver in the house and some of which was stained. BY the way thanks once again for this tips.

  6. Nancy Marino says:

    I LOVE silver and have some sweet pieces, but while I start out enjoying the polishing it soon becomes a chore especially when I buy a big lot of silverware or a boxlot of trays. My husband thinks I'm nuts when I display them partially or totally tarnished. I think they still have charm that way- sometimes more.

  7. Gina Montanha says:

    Does this work for silver jewelry as well?

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Hi Gina, It does work on silver jewelry as well and it does an amazing job of cleaning it. Thanks so much for stopping by. Mary Beth

  8. It does not say how long to soak it for?

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Hi Darcy,

      Once the water cools down it looses it's effectiveness. That being said, when I cleaned my silver all of the cleaning took place in approximately 3 minutes. I cleaned some more today just to time if for you. : ) Once it's done, rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

      I hope that answered your question.

      Thanks for stopping by,

      Mary Beth

  9. I'm goingto give this a try. This is a job my granddaughter does for me when sjhe wants soem extra money. She is 11.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Hi Linda - I hope it works wonderfully for her...and how sweet! <3

  10. Worked like a charm. Thanks for this awesome tip.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I am so glad to hear that, Debbie! Thank you for letting me know.

  11. Anna L Plaisance says:

    HI! So excited to try this trick today! My mom has literally a closet full of silver plated platters, cups, servers etc that she wanted to get rid of when she sold her house! So Ive got alot to practice on! Does anyone know if the silver is chalk painted after cleaned would become tarnished again and change the color of the paint? Thanks again!❤

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I'm so glad you found the tip helpful, Anna! I hope it works wonders for you. Also, I'm not sure about painted silver but if I find anything out, I'll respond here to let you know.

  12. Bridget Martinelli says:

    thanks so much

  13. Amazing! Thank you! Cherished silver restored and ready for Thanksgiving!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      That's awesome, Amy! Thank you for letting me know.