If possible, run enough water into the bowl to completely submerge the item you want to clean. This may require you to find a larger container. Stay away from soaps containing harsh chemicals or abrasives. These can create small scratches in porous metals.
Move the item through the solution periodically to help loosen the gunk and grime as it dissolves. Exposing metals to water for prolonged periods of time could lead to corrosion or deterioration in the long term. If you hope to preserve your item for as long as possible, consider finding another way to get rid of tarnish, or have it cleaned professionally.
If you’re scrubbing your item with a sponge, make sure you use the non-abrasive side to avoid accidentally damaging it.
It’s also okay to let jewelry and other small, delicate pieces of metal air dry if you don’t want to go to the trouble of drying them manually. Just set your items on a drying pad made from a folded towel.
White vinegar contains acetic acid, which is strong enough to eat away at heavy buildup but still mild enough to protect your prized metal belongings. [5] X Research source
Be sure to use a toothbrush that’s either brand new or has recently been deep-cleaned. You don’t want to accidentally introduce any other tarnish-causing substances to the metal. A shoe-polishing brush or all-purpose scrubber will also be gentle enough to get the job done if you don’t happen to have a toothbrush handy.
Re-wet your brush when it begins to dry out or clean less effectively. Work patiently and carefully. The larger or more discolored your item is, the longer it will take to brighten up.
If the item you’re cleaning is too big to fit under a faucet, wet a clean cloth and use it to wipe the area you just polished. Make sure you rinse and dry your item right away. Otherwise, the acetic acid in the vinegar could continue to break down the outermost layer of metal, potentially ruining the finish.
Alternatively, you can soak small tarnished pieces in your vinegar solution overnight, as long as they’re not made from a soft, porous, or plated type of metal. [11] X Research source
If you grabbed your lemon out of the refrigerator, roll it on the countertop for 20-30 seconds before you slice it. This will help soften the skin and break up the tiny membranes inside, making it juicier. Much like vinegar, lemon juice is high in citric acid, which is useful for cutting through tough tarnish safely and effectively. [13] X Research source
You can also get the same effect using baking soda. In fact, baking soda and lemon juice make a great 2-ingredient polishing paste for items that are almost entirely consumed by tarnish.
The salt will act as a mild abrasive, but it still won’t be as cleaning tool, so you may need to go over problem areas a few times to really get them clean.
Avoid drying your metal belongings with paper towels, as these can leave behind small particles.
