Abstract: A method of cleaning a silver or silver-plated article (A) comprises (i) placing at least one piece of aluminium or aluminium alloy (B), preferably a thin sheet with a regular pattern of holes, in a container (C) having a non-metallic inner surface; (ii) adding hot water (D) sufficient to cover the article; (iii) adding sodium carbonate (E); (iv) immersing the article in contact with the aluminium for a brief period, long-ingrained tarnish being (v) gently scrubbed off with a brush; (F); removing the article from the container; (vi) rinsing the article in hot soapy water (G), aided by a mop (H); (vii) rinsing the article with clear hot or cold water (J); and, finally, (viii) polishing the article with a soft clean cloth (K).The many edges of the holes in the aluminium (B) promote the liberation of nascent hydrogen bubbles (Q) and leads to thorough contacting of the articles (A) with the hydrogen to effect the cleaning by reduction of silver sulphide.