Best Way To Clean Silver Safely - With Baking Soda and Foil

This method is safe on silver, gold, brass and copper.  It is the preferred method of cleaning for museums and removes only the tarnish and not any layers of the metal.  It is also non-toxic and harmful to the environment. Start with a bowl, tin foil, tablespoon of baking soda and a litre of hot water.  Stir and put the silver in.  It is that simple and no harsh chemicals. For this experiment, I took a pair of silver ball studs that have been sitting out in the open light for over a year (you should keep silver in an airtight bag, away from sunlight and materials that accelerate blackening, like rubber bands and dyed leather).  I cleaned only one so that you can see the effects. After 15 seconds, the stud that sat in the hot baking soda bath was less yellow but the blackened tarnish was still there, although slightly lighter.   Then I took a new sponge and dipped it in the soda/foil bath and added more baking soda.  I rubbed the ball stud on the baking soda (about 5-6 strokes per area) and the tarnish came off very easily.  The result was virtually new.  The only difference was that it was no longer a mirror finish high shine.  I don't know if that was caused by the rubbing or that it was from a bit of wear previous to the tarnishing.