Sterling silver will not be damaged by aluminum and baking soda. Other types of silver may be damaged by this method, however. Only use it for sterling silver pieces. If you're not sure if your jewelry is sterling silver, err on the side of caution and refrain from washing it with aluminum and baking soda.
You can easily clean silver with aluminum foil, baking soda and hot water. This method uses electrolytic action instead of chemical-polish abrasion and removes the tarnish from oxidized silver without removing any of the underlying metal. This is great for heavily tarnished silver.
Clean Silver with Vinegar
This cleaning agent is a great option for many things, including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours. Rinse with cold water and let airdry.
Although using baking soda and aluminum foil can quickly remove tarnish from silverware, some dealers caution against using it on antique silver, as it can be too abrasive and ruin the finish (especially if you're unsure of the provenance and it's possible that the pieces are not actually sterling silver).
As for whether or not baking soda damages silver coins, the short answer is typically no.
Carefully pour the hot water over the items in the tub and add 1 cup of baking soda per gallon of water. Allow items to soak for up to 30 minutes, depending on how heavily tarnished. Let water cool down or remove items with tongs.
Place the soiled silver items into the foil-lined bowl. Pour very hot water into the bowl to cover the silver items. Add two heaping tablespoons of baking soda to the water until it begins to bubble. Allow the silver items to soak in the baking powder mixture for about 30 minutes.
Baking soda leaves behind a white, dusty residue after it dries. Therefore, you should never use it to clean surfaces with deep grooves or cracks because the residue will get left behind and can build up.
Baking soda is abrasive, which is why it's great for cleaning sinks and toilets, but that abrasive quality can scratch gemstones and precious metals. So steer clear when it comes to cleaning jewelry.
Cleaning silver jewelry with baking soda and salt is a great way to remove tarnish. Baking soda is slightly abrasive, which can help lift surface dirt and grime. Moreover, salt is also abrasive, so it helps remove dirt and grime, making them a great 1-2 punch cleaning solution.
Use vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda.
Cover the jewelry with half a cup of white vinegar and one drop of tea tree oil. Leave the jewelry to soak in the mixture overnight, or for eight hours while you are at work. If you see debris floating around in the solution, you know it is working.
Aluminum is one of several metals that are more reactive than silver. Since it's more reactive, it will pull sulfur atoms from tarnish through an electrochemical process. The silver sulfide (the tarnish) transfers its sulfide ions to the aluminum, converting back into silver and creating aluminum sulfide on the foil.
Baking soda
Its slight abrasiveness won't harm your stainless steel, but it will help unstick stuck-on stains. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water (here's how), and glop it on tough stains. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wipe, rinse, and dry.
Keep baked soda in a tightly sealed jar to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the air. And avoid touching or spilling it. It's not lye, but it's strong enough to irritate. Baked soda is also strong enough to make a good lye substitute for pretzels.
Never use toothpaste, baking soda, or a commercial metal cleaner on gold. If you use these abrasives, you may scratch the gold.
Baking soda is good for teeth whitening because it is a very mild abrasive, which helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains – such as those from coffee, tea, and red wine – on teeth.
"Contrary to popular belief, baking Soda can do more harm than good to your skin. This is because of its high alkaline properties. It strips your skin of its natural oils, results in dry, itchy and irritated skin. Dry skin in turn can lead to early skin wrinkling," says Dr Shetty.
Sterling silver will not be damaged by aluminum and baking soda. Other types of silver may be damaged by this method, however. Only use it for sterling silver pieces. If you're not sure if your jewelry is sterling silver, err on the side of caution and refrain from washing it with aluminum and baking soda.
Silver is a common metal used in jewelry or dinnerware. If you don't have any chemical cleaner, you can use Coca-Cola, or Coke, as a simple cleaning substitute for sterling or plated silver. The acid in Coke works to cut through any grime or rust on the silver's surface.