Part 2: The Chemistry Behind Silver Tarnish Removal

Understanding electrochemical reduction explains why combining salt, baking soda, aluminum foil, and hot water lifts stubborn tarnish off silver items.

Silver tarnish forms when silver reacts with sulfur compounds in the air to create silver sulfide ($\text{Ag}_2\text{S}$). In an electrolyte bath, aluminum acts as a sacrificial anode because it has a higher affinity for sulfur than silver does, converting silver sulfide back into pure silver while transferring sulfur to the foil.

$$\text{3Ag}_2\text{S} + \text{2Al} \rightarrow \text{6Ag} + \text{Al}_2\text{S}_3$$

👇 HEAD TO PART 3 TO LEARN 5 REASONS THIS HACK WORKS SO WELL!