How to Restore Severely Tarnished Sterling

Silver Polish

• 1

  Use a commercial silver polish to remove the tarnish from your sterling silver item. Pour a small amount of polish onto a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth.

• 2

  Gently rub the surface of the item with the polish. Repeat several times until the tarnish has disappeared.

• 3

  Use a clean cloth to gently buff the item after removing the tarnish.

Aluminum and Baking Soda

• 4

  Use an aluminum roasting pan or a deep aluminum foil-lined baking dish.

• 5

  Place the tarnished sterling silver item into the pan so that the object touches the aluminum.

• 6

  Add boiling water to the pan until the tarnish silver item is completely submerged.

• 7

  Add one cup of baking soda per gallon of water used to the pan; for example, if you used half a gallon of water, add half a cup of baking soda.

• 8

  Allow the baking soda to foam. Remove the item to see if the tarnish has disappeared. Repeat the step, if necessary.

• 9

  Dry the item with a soft cloth.