Around the House : Shine Up Your Silver Jewelry

Your family is coming to town and you know your mother is going to want you to wear that silver bracelet she got you last year. Unfortunately you've let it tarnish because you haven't worn it all year.

Boil water and add a sheet aluminum foil to it. Add baking soda and some salt to the water and throw in your bracelet on top of the foil. After a few minutes your bracelet will look as good as new.

When sulfur attaches to silver it tarnishes. The result is a blackened coating that covers the silver. The ingredients of the boiling water and the aluminum foil create an electrolytic current which separates the sulfur from the silver.