If you've ever spent hours polishing a set of silverware, you'll be glad to know there are easier ways to get the job done. In fact, you may even be able to salvage silver that has been tarnished completely black.
Muriatic acid (figure A), usually used for cleaning mortar from bricks, works well for cleaning silver. While wearing acid-resistant gloves, dip a piece of very-fine steel wool into the acid and wipe it onto the silver until it begins to shine (figure B). If you don't want to rub the silver (or you're uncomfortable working with acid), make a dip using baking soda, aluminum foil and hot water. Place a 2' length of aluminum foil into a plastic bucket, and pour 1/2 gallon of hot water over it. Then pour a cup of fresh baking soda into the water (if the soda is fresh, it will begin foaming). Submerge a piece of silver in the water, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then pull out the silver, rinse it, and allow it to dry.
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