Comments on: The Results of My Recent Quest for a Natural Silver Polish http://www.cleaningallstars.com/natural-green-cleaning/the-results-of-my-recent-quest-for-a-natural-silver-polish 970.215.2224 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:27:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Rachel http://www.cleaningallstars.com/natural-green-cleaning/the-results-of-my-recent-quest-for-a-natural-silver-polish/comment-page-1#comment-957 Rachel Sun, 02 Oct 2011 04:36:19 +0000 http://www.cleaningallstars.com/blog/?p=400#comment-957 Maybe the baking soda packaging should say "aluminum free" for successful tarnish transfer from the silver to the aluminum foil? Maybe the baking soda packaging should say “aluminum free” for successful tarnish transfer from the silver to the aluminum foil?

]]> By: laura http://www.cleaningallstars.com/natural-green-cleaning/the-results-of-my-recent-quest-for-a-natural-silver-polish/comment-page-1#comment-22 laura Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:05:16 +0000 http://www.cleaningallstars.com/blog/?p=400#comment-22 Thanks Jesse. That seems a lot more complicated than toothpaste LOL! Thanks Jesse. That seems a lot more complicated than toothpaste LOL!

]]> By: Jesse http://www.cleaningallstars.com/natural-green-cleaning/the-results-of-my-recent-quest-for-a-natural-silver-polish/comment-page-1#comment-21 Jesse Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:59:51 +0000 http://www.cleaningallstars.com/blog/?p=400#comment-21 Great article! The tarnish removing recipe you tried first is a tried-and-true method for removing silver tarnish. Silver tarnishes over time as the pure metal reacts with sulphur-containing gasses in everyday air, and becomes silver sulphide, which has remarkably less attractive appearance. Alluminum, on the other hand, has a greater affinity to bond to sulphur than silver does. Here are a few tips that might have helped get better results. 1. The silver must be in contact with the aluminum. Try loosely wrapping the piece with the foil. 2. The baking soda and salt are catalysts to the reaction, facilitating the transfer of the sulphur ions through the solution. (I think the salt is optional, if I recall the experiment correctly) 3. In a large stock pot, boil the water, soda, and salt. Heat is the universal catalyst for chemical reactions. 4. Reduce to a simmer, then submerge the foil-wrapped piece and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes or so, remove from heat, allow to cool, then remove and buff with a soft cloth. Hope this helps! Great article!
The tarnish removing recipe you tried first is a tried-and-true method for removing silver tarnish.
Silver tarnishes over time as the pure metal reacts with sulphur-containing gasses in everyday air, and becomes silver sulphide, which has remarkably less attractive appearance. Alluminum, on the other hand, has a greater affinity to bond to sulphur than silver does.
Here are a few tips that might have helped get better results.
1. The silver must be in contact with the aluminum. Try loosely wrapping the piece with the foil.
2. The baking soda and salt are catalysts to the reaction, facilitating the transfer of the sulphur ions through the solution. (I think the salt is optional, if I recall the experiment correctly)
3. In a large stock pot, boil the water, soda, and salt. Heat is the universal catalyst for chemical reactions.
4. Reduce to a simmer, then submerge the foil-wrapped piece and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes or so, remove from heat, allow to cool, then remove and buff with a soft cloth.

Hope this helps!

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