We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Looks like your silver stuff has started turning dull or changing color, huh? That’s from tarnishing, and it can be a real pain. But don’t worry, you can fix it up with some common household items. Things like toothpaste, aluminum foil, baking soda, and even chalk can work wonders to remove that tarnish and keep your silver sparkling. You can also try using anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets to prevent it from happening in the first place. A little trial and error might be needed, but you’ll have your silver looking brand new in no time. Tarnishing happens when metals react with stuff in the air, like sulfur and oxygen. That causes the surface to oxidize and change color, from yellow to red-brown to blue. But the good news is, it’s usually fixable, as long as you use the right products. Just gotta find the method that works best for your silver pieces.
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Prevent Tarnish: 8 Easy Tricks to Keep Vintage Silver Shiny
Plastic sealed bags
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One of the best ways to keep your silver from tarnishing is to store it in an airtight container, like a sealed plastic bag. Since tarnishing is caused by moisture exposure, this will help prevent those annoying stains. You can use regular old Ziploc bags from your kitchen, or get some special anti-tarnish bags made just for this purpose. Either way, the key is making sure the container is as sealed up as possible.
Chalk
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Here’s a simple, natural way to keep your silver shiny – a piece of chalk! Chalk actually helps absorb moisture, so stashing a few pieces with your silver can help minimize the water exposure and prevent tarnishing. Just make sure to wrap up your silver first before storing it with the chalk, so the chalk doesn’t actually touch the metal.
Aluminum foil
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You can actually use aluminum foil to remove tarnish from your silver. Just line a heat-proof container with foil, add some boiling water and baking soda, then let your silver pieces soak for a few minutes. The chemical reaction will make that tarnish disappear. Afterward, just dry everything off with a soft cloth and your silver will be good as new.
Hair conditioner
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Believe it or not, your regular old hair conditioner can help protect silver from tarnishing. The chemicals in conditioner add a protective layer that keeps the metal from reacting with stuff in the air. Just rub some conditioner onto your silver items, wipe off the excess, and store them in a sealed container or anti-tarnish bag. Easy peasy!
Silica gel packets
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Throw a few silica gel packets in with your silver jewelry or silverware to help prevent tarnishing. These little packets can absorb moisture from the air, which is a major cause of that pesky discoloration. Just make sure the container you’re storing your silver in is as airtight as possible.
Anti-tarnish strips
Another option is to get some anti-tarnish strips. These special non-abrasive strips are designed to protect silver from sulfur, moisture, and other tarnish-causing culprits. Just store a few with your silver, preferably in an airtight container, and they’ll help keep it looking shiny and new. You’ll want to switch out the strips every six months or so.
Activated charcoal
Powdered activated charcoal can do double duty – it can both clean up tarnished silver and help prevent future tarnishing. Just put some in a porous but sealed bag and store it with your silver. The charcoal will absorb moisture without actually touching the metal. You can even use it to polish your silver until it shines like new.
Toothpaste
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Believe it or not, your trusty toothpaste can actually help remove tarnish from silver. The mild abrasives in toothpaste can scrub away that discoloration. Just rub some natural or organic toothpaste onto the affected silver with a soft cloth or brush, then wipe and dry everything off. Just be careful, as toothpaste can potentially scratch the silver if you’re not gentle.
