Here is what you will need:
1 aluminum pan or aluminum foil lining the bottom of any pan you have (I like to use the disposable aluminum pans you buy at the grocery store)
1 cup of baking soda
1 kettle of boiling hot water (not merely warm, but super duper monster hot!)
Every piece of sterling silver you own that is in need of a good cleaning. (On top of your list should be every piece of tarnished sterling silver jewelry you own, as well as any sterling silverware, tea sets, etc.)
Here we go:
Place your sterling silver items in the pan and sprinkle well with the baking soda. Bring the water in your kettle to a good rolling boil and then pour it into the aluminum pan. ALAKAZAM! Right before your eyes the sterling silver items will instantly turn to their original shiny sterling color. The first time I did this I made a mad dash through my jewelry box looking for every spare piece of sterling jewelry I could find. It was like magic, I would drop them in the water and within a second they would be totally untarnished.
The last step is to rinse each piece under water and then dry very well with a soft cloth.
I don't understand the science behind the chemical reaction that takes place between the aluminum and the baking soda but I found a great site that explains all that right here.... Frankly, I don't care how it works I just love that it does work and I cleaned all my jewelry in under 10 seconds! That is too cool....Martha would be proud!
