Silver is lovely, but it must have tarnish removed to prevent it from becoming permanently pitted.
Both borax and silver minerals are mined in the United States. Borax is recommended as a low-cost, "green" method for cleaning silver. Silver is a soft metal, so avoid the use of an abrasive cleaner. Does this Spark an idea?
The Solution
Homemade solutions are easy to make and safe to use if not ingested. The addition of borax increases the alkalinity of water. This, combined with heavy aluminum foil, creates a chemical reaction that will literally draw the tarnish to the foil.
The Procedure
Use a deep non-metal bowl or sink to avoid an undesired chemical reaction. Measure enough water to cover silver and heat it until simmering. Stir in borax at a ratio of 1 tsp. to 1 qt. of water. Line the container with heavy (not light) aluminum foil. Make sure the silver is in contact with foil. Pour in hot mixture and let sit for several minutes. Silver will lose its tarnish and the foil will become dark. Remove silver, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.
Pros and Cons
Soaking silver in a borax solution enables you to eliminate tarnish in hard-to-reach places. Elaborate silver patterns are delineated by the tarnish in those places. Borax does not differentiate and the pattern will lose its contrast.
Tags: aluminum foil, chemical reaction, tarnish foil, will lose, with heavy