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The other day I was wearing a necklace and had one of those – “ah-ha” moments, where I thought I could make this using the beads I have from a necklace that broke. About 20 years ago I made a necklace out of silver beads that I took about a year to collect – I loved the necklace and wore it often until one day it broke while I was putting it on. I collected the beads put them in a cardboard jewelry box and every now and then would take them out, look at them and wonder what to do with them. Over the years they have become very tarnished, which has made me more and more reluctant to do anything with them – mainly because I dreaded having to clean them! But then researching green cleaning methods I read how to easily clean silver and silver jewelry – I thought it was too easy to really be true, but figured why not, worth a try!
How To Clean Silver and Silver Jewelry (this is not a way to clean silver with some gems – the reaction will harm turquoise, so use with caution with silver-gem jewelry)
Before
After
Items needed
Glass dish or disposable tin pie pan or take out container
Baking soda or salt (I used baking soda)
Tin foil sheet, crumpled and flattened
Boiling water
1. Line your glass dish or disposable tin pan with a piece of tin foil – crumple and flatten first.
2. Place your silver on the tin foil – making sure all pieces touch the tin foil.
3. Sprinkle with baking soda – making sure all pieces are covered. If using salt dissolve the salt in the boil water first.
4. Pour boiling water into the dish – there will be a reaction. Turn your pieces once or twice, use a wooden spoon handle. Allow to sit for 5 – 10 minutes.
5. Rinse in cold water – if you have smaller pieces – place in colander and rinse that way.
6. Rub dry with a soft cloth.
If you silver is as tarnished as mine was you may need to do several times. I ended up doing some of my pieces 3 times, but the results were wonderful and less time than polishing each piece.
Come back tomorrow for how to make the necklace!
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Can’t wait to try this, as I have some tarnished silver jewerly!! : )
Stella loved watching the reaction – she thought it was way cool!