You are here: Home > Things to See and Do > Things to Do > Sparkle and Glow >
Shine up your silver
You'll Need:
- a tarnished piece of silver
- a pan or dish large enough to completely immerse the silver in
- aluminum foil to cover the bottom of the pan
- enough water to fill the pan
- a vessel in which to heat the water
- hot pads or kitchen mitts with which to handle the heated water vessel
- baking soda, about 1 cup per gallon of water
- Adult Supervision
Try this!!
Line the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil. Set the silver object on top of the aluminum foil. Make sure the silver touches the aluminum. Place the pan in the sink. Boil enough water to cover the silver object completely and then take it of the heat. Use the kitchen mitts to place this vessel in the sink aswell. Put in the baking soda in the ratio of 1 cup per gallon of water. This will then bubble and fizz over which is why it has been placed in the sink. Poar the water into the pan with the silver in it, the tarnish will beging to remove very quickly. If it is lighty tarnsihed it should all be removed in the first few minutes. If it is badly tarnished you may need to reheat the water. Make sure you wash the silver if it is cutlery before using it.
Whats Happening?
This is an example of a competition reaction where the more reactive substance (aliminium) steals the oxide/sulphate etc. The reaction is conducted at a high temperature because this speeds up the reaction.
This could be a good way of cleaning up your silver cutlery before the big day!!!
Written by Huw Wright
