by Jesús Zabala - 3 min read

How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry with Aluminum Foil

Any jewelry, whether brass or silver, can tarnish over time. The reason is mostly prolonged exposure to moisture, air, and other environmental factors. Luckily, you can learn how to clean tarnished jewelry with aluminum foil, which might be effective for years.

In this guide, we will discuss all the necessary materials for home-cleaning tarnished pieces, the necessary steps of the process, and every aspect related to cleaning jewelry. Keep reading to learn how does aluminum foil clean jewelry and how to prevent it from future tarnishing.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: hydebrink

How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry With Aluminum Foil

As experts, we must point out that cleaning tarnished jewelry is not an instant approach. It consists of various stages, including:

Finding the required materials

Creating the necessary conditions

The cleaning process

Taking care of the jewelry afterward

Depending on the making process of the jewelry, there are different cleaning techniques for different jewelry pieces. Handmade jewelry care may differ from that of machine-made jewelry, but either way, it is important to stick to the guidelines.

Necessary materials

Learning how to clean tarnished jewelry with aluminum foil starts with arranging the necessary materials:

Aluminum foil
Baking soda
Hot boiled water
A large bowl (large enough for your jewelry piece)
Soft and dry cloth for polishing
One soft and dry brush to reach delicate jewelry spots

the cleaning solution

The first step is to place a piece of aluminum foil for baking inside the large bowl and ensure it is lined up evenly around it. The aluminum foil should face up (the shiny side facing upwards).

Next, pour hot boiled water into the bowl, just enough to submerge the jewelry piece. Add two tablespoons of baking soda and stir until the baking soda is completely dissolved.

Soak the tarnished jewelry

After making the cleaning solution, place the tarnished silver or brass jewelry in the bowl. Make sure the jewelry piece touches the aluminum surface of the bowl. Leave it soaking for at least 5-10 minutes.

During this time, the cleaning solution will react with the piece's buildup and start to dissolve it. Depending on the level of tarnish, you may need to leave it soaking for a longer time. By the end of the process, most of the tarnish will transfer from the piece to the foil, leaving your item with most of the tarnish gone.

Gently scrub

This step is specifically applied for pieces with heavier buildup. Take a soft cloth or a brush and gently scrub the remaining tarnish of the piece. Some pieces have stubborn buildup and may require extra effort to remove the tarnish completely.

We advise you to be cautious while washing jewelry with delicate embellishments to prevent damage to the intricate patterns. Take your time with the cleaning process, and make sure the whole piece is cleaned thoroughly.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Jakub Ustrzycki

Rinse, dry, and polish

Once you've finished scrubbing, you should rinse the jewelry piece. Use cool and clean water when doing that. That way, you'll remove the smallest particles of tarnish and anything left from the cleaning solution.

After rinsing, use a soft cloth to dry the jewelry piece completely. To bring back its shine, it's preferable to polish the piece using a jewelry polishing cloth.

Despite the preferred polishing technique, it will give the piece its original luster and remove any remaining residue. Now, your piece is as good as new and ready to wear like you've just bought it.

Conclusion

No matter how tarnished your jewelry may appear, you can always solve the problem using the simplest and always-reachable household ingredients that will do the work. Now that you have learned how to clean tarnished jewelry with aluminum foil and boiling water, you can clean your pieces and wear them as if you've just bought them.

It's not always the most expensive solutions that work the best. There's something in the DIY magic, too!