Cleaning my jewelry, that is.
I have a box full of lovely sterling silver jewelry that is, to put it gently, horribly discolored and gross looking. Every time I see my pretty necklace with the silver beads I think, "What a beautiful bauble! Or at least it used to be." Then I feel mopey and sad and choose a less wonderful (but also less dingy) accessory to wear in its place.
But no more, people. No more! You see, I cleaned my sterling silver jewelry with baking soda. I'll give you the instructions below, but first, a word of wisdom: Before you try this at home with your all-time favorite bracelet in the history of the world, test it out with less-special sterling silver jewelry. Make sure you're happy with the results and then continue on to the good stuff. Now, here it goes...
How To Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry with Baking Soda
Courtesy of eHow.com
1.) Fill your kettle and set it on the stove to boil. (Or just microwave some water. Whatevs.)
2.) Line a glass baking dish (make sure it has sides) with a slightly crumpled piece of aluminum foil.
3.) Lay your sterling silver jewelry on the aluminum foil.
4.) Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the jewelry.
5.) Pour boiling water over the jewelry until it is covered. Alka Seltzer-like bubbles will start dancing off your jewelry, and you'll be assaulted with a serious rotten-egg smell. Apparently this is just the release of sulfuric gases. So, don't fret. (But do feel free to plug your nose.)
6.) Gently stir around the jewelry to ensure all the surfaces have come in contact with the aluminum.
7.) Rinse the jewelry under tap water, taking great care that it doesn't fall down the drain and disappear forever.
8.) Dry jewelry with a soft towel.
9.) Enjoy all the compliments you receive on your super-sparkly accessories!
