Easy ways to polish silver to gain back its lustre (shine)?

Answer 1

Silver tarnish is caused by sulfur bonding to the silver. The easiest way to remove the tarnish is to put the piece of silver in a place where the sulfur will react with another element and leave the silver. Aluminum is a perfect metal for this. To clean the silver procede with the following steps:
1. start some waterboiling
2. tear bits of Al Foil into pieces about the size of your palm and lightly crumple them.
3. in a container large enough to hold all of the silver fully submerged add 1/4 of table salt per gallon of water it can hold.
4. when the water comes to a boil add it to the container with the salt.
5. add the foil balls and the silver so that you get close contact between the foil and the silver.
6. let things sit for 5-10 min.
7. remove the silver and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
8. if there is remaining tarnish repeat steps 5-7


This works because the Al draws the S away from the AG with the Na acting as a conduit that allows the S to move more freely through the water. To prevent tarnish store your silver away from any sources of sulfur. And, don't use acids to clean your silver. When you use acids such as tomatoe paste, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. you eat away a small amount of the silver. When you react the sulfur and the aluminum you leave all the silver atoms intact on the original piece.

Answer 2

I let it set in my old tomato sauce for a while, then wash it and dry it well. Then put polish on it if you wish.

Answer 3

cigarette ashes work really good. go to thefrugalgormet.com for some simple things you can do with simple household stuff, like homemade cleaners, etc.