To bring the shine back to tarnished silver jewelry, pour hot water into a mug, add three tablespoons of salt (to make an electrolyte), put in some aluminum tin foil and the tarnished silver jewelry. The tarnish (silver sulfide) will then be liberated and be given off as a gas (rotten eggs smell). Rinse with water to reveal super shiny jewelery.
Source: A jeweler friend.
By Monique from Somerset, UK
This is a page about cleaning silver with aluminum foil. While this is a widely shared method for cleaning silver, it can cause permanent damage to your silver items. It is best to avoid this method, particularly when cleaning valuable items.
This is a page about cleaning a silver necklace. Special polish and cloths are available to clean tarnish from silver or you can use a few common household items.
This is a page about cleaning a silver bracelet. Polish your silver jewelry to keep it beautiful and free of tarnish.
I once heard that monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be used to clean and shine any pure stainless metal, like gold and silver.
After using household bleach for cleaning I realized my favorite silver ring had been tarnished and I was freaking out! I had the impulse to rub it with salt as it is an alkaline and submerge my ring in salted boiling water.
I used Nair while wearing my brand new sterling silver engagement ring. It tarnished my ring and believe me, I was freaking out. I read tips on here and tried using cigarette ashes.
I work at a silver and native American jewelry store. We use Windex (I've never tried an off brand of glass cleaner), and an old soft toothbrush to get into hard to reach areas.
Tie a few pieces of blackboard chalk in cheesecloth and store it with your sterling silver jewelry.
Silver jewelry that has become tarnished can be cleaned by soaking it for a few minutes in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and then rubbing it with a soft cloth.