Clean Silver

When silver tarnishes, it is not actually dirty but coated with silver sulfide, a dark compound formed from a reaction with sulfur in the air.

Hot water, baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil create a simple electrochemical reaction that transfers the sulfur from the silver onto the aluminum instead.

Within minutes, the tarnish disappears without any scrubbing, turning a household trick into a clear demonstration of real chemistry at work.