Thanksgiving Science: How Chemistry Can Help You Polish Silver

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and many families look forward to pulling out the "good" silverware for a festive meal. But there’s always that pesky problem—tarnished silver. Over time, silver reacts with sulfur-containing substances in the air, forming a dark tarnish called silver sulfide. No one has the time to spend hours polishing silver right before the holiday rush!

Fortunately, science can save the day, and this simple chemistry project will help you restore your silver’s shine without abrasive polish. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to teach your kids some hands-on chemistry!

How Science at Lorien Wood Reflects Our Integral Curriculum

At Lorien Wood, our integral curriculum connects learning across disciplines, encouraging students to explore God’s creation through inquiry and discovery. Our science lessons reflect this holistic approach. In this project, for instance, students learn not only chemistry but also learn about the history of silver. In their Humanities studies, Form 4 students explore the period from the Renaissance through the 19th century, discovering how silver became a symbol of wealth and prestige as it was increasingly used in fine tableware and decorative arts in households around the world.

By engaging with science in a hands-on way, like the silver tarnish project, our students learn that chemistry isn’t just something they read about—it’s something they can see and do. Whether it’s exploring the properties of metals or understanding the role of chemical reactions, this type of inquiry-based learning is central to our approach at Lorien Wood. 

Now, let’s dive into the project—one you can even try at home!

DIY Chemistry: Removing Silver Tarnish with Science  

Here’s a fun and easy way to remove tarnish from your silver pieces using items you likely already have in your kitchen. This project not only restores the shine to your silver but also introduces a cool chemistry concept—electrochemical reactions.

Materials:

- Tarnished silver items (spoons, trays, etc.)

- Large roasting pan

- Aluminum foil

- Hot water

- Baking soda (about 1 cup per gallon of water)

- Large spoon

- Pot holders

Procedure:

1. Line the Pan: Cover the bottom and sides of the roasting pan with aluminum foil.

2. Heat the Water: Boil enough water to fill your pan a few inches deep.

3. Create the Solution: Pour the boiling water into the pan, then stir in 1 cup of baking soda per gallon of water.

4. Dip the Silver: Place your tarnished silver into the pan, ensuring it touches the aluminum foil.

5. Watch the Magic: Almost immediately, you’ll see the tarnish start to disappear! Depending on how badly tarnished the silver is, you may need to repeat the process or reheat the solution.

What’s happening? The tarnish (silver sulfide) is being reversed back into silver by a process called an electrochemical reaction. Sulfur atoms from the tarnish are transferred to the aluminum foil, leaving your silver clean and shiny once again!

The Science Behind It

When silver tarnishes, it forms silver sulfide—a black compound that results from silver reacting with sulfur in the air. By using aluminum foil, we’re leveraging a material that has a greater affinity for sulfur than silver. The baking soda solution helps transfer sulfur from the silver to the aluminum, creating aluminum sulfide and restoring the silver.

Because the silver and aluminum must be in contact, an electric current flows between them during the reaction, making it an electrochemical reaction—the same type of reaction that powers batteries!

A Learning Moment for Families

While you’re cleaning up your silver for Thanksgiving, this project doubles as an exciting learning moment for kids. You can explain the process step-by-step, show them the tarnish disappearing, and talk about the principles of chemistry and electricity. This is an excellent way to bring science into the home, just like we do in the classrooms at Lorien Wood, where students are encouraged to investigate, observe, and discover how the world works.

Bringing Science to Life at Lorien Wood

At Lorien Wood, our integral curriculum fosters a love for learning by connecting different disciplines—science, history, faith, and hands-on experiences. This silver-cleaning project is just one example of how we teach students that the world is full of wonder and that science is a key to understanding it.

So, as you prepare your Thanksgiving table, you’re not just polishing silver—you’re engaging in a meaningful, educational experience with your family. And who knows? You might inspire a future chemist in the process!

Explore experiential learning at Lorien Wood.