Silver cutlery, jewelry or grandma’s old candlestick – silver treasures lose their shine over time and tarnish. There are various ways to polish silver back to a high shine. However, in addition to expensive special cleaners, it is above all the simple household remedies that have always been convincing as polishing agents! One solution can be found in your kitchen, for example. Find out here which ingredient from your store cupboard you can use to polish your silver – without any chemicals!
Why does silver tarnish?
Silver reacts with sulphur compounds in the air – this is a natural process that leads to a dark coating on the surface, known as silver sulphide. This may look antique, but most people would rather have the original shine back. And this is exactly where cornstarch comes into play.
By the way: It doesn’t help if you don’t use your silver and store it deep in the cupboard. Unfortunately, it is unavoidable that silver will tarnish at some point.
How does polishing silver with cornstarch work?
Cornstarch has a gentle abrasive effect – it removes the oxidation layer mechanically without damaging the soft metal. At the same time, it is so mild that you don’t have to worry about ruining your fine silver or engravings.
What you need:
- Cornstarch (corn or potato starch)
- water
- A soft cloth or sponge
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This is how it works:
- First, you should remove any dust and dirt from your silver.
- Now mix a paste of 3 parts cornstarch and one part water. The consistency should resemble toothpaste.
- Apply this paste to the tarnished silver with a soft cloth and rub it in carefully.
- You should polish your silver until it shines again.
The next time your silver looks dull, don’t reach for an aggressive cleaner – look in the kitchen cupboard instead. With a little cornstarch, water and patience, you can polish your silver back to a high shine – environmentally friendly and inexpensive.
Source: infranken.de
Preview image: pinterest.de/brigitte
