You don't need any fancy equipment – you can brighten tarnished cutlery with one item you probably already own.

No matter what cutlery you have, you may find it beginning to look dull over time. If you have silver or silver-plated cutlery, tarnishing can be caused by sulfur compounds in the air, certain foods, or from dishwashing detergents.

Stainless steel cutlery is often thought to be less likely to tarnish, but it can still happen when the surface oxidises or when harsh chemicals and certain food residues react with the steel.

If you're finding that your cutlery is looking a little duller than usual, there is an easy cleaning hack you can try to get your knives and forks sparkling again.

What's more, if you have a dishwasher it couldn't be easier to put the hack into action - as you just need to add one item to your next load.

In a video on TikTok, a woman named Georgia demonstrated the trick. All you have to do is roll up a ball of kitchen foil - also known as aluminium foil or tin foil - and place it in the cutlery drawer of your dishwasher.

Then, put your dishwasher on a normal cycle and watch as your cutlery comes out shinier than ever. Georgia wrote in her caption: "This dishwasher hack will blow your mind! Have you tried it?"

Commenters on Georgia's video were quick to praise her for the "amazing" hack. Many said they would try it out for themselves the next time they turn on their dishwasher.

The foil trick works because it interacts with the dishwasher detergent and water to create a chemical reaction that lifts the tarnish. It works more effectively on silverware but can work on stainless steel cutlery, too.

If you don't have a dishwasher, you can still use aluminium foil to brighten your cutlery, but you'll need to follow more steps.

You will first need to line a saucepan with foil and place your cutlery inside, ensuring each piece is in contact with the foil. Next, add a mixture of baking soda and salt and pour in boiling water.

Let the cutlery soak for a few minutes, and then carefully remove each piece and dry it with a soft cloth.

How to brighten tarnished cutlery

If you don't want to use the foil method, there are other ways you can brighten your cutlery using other items you may already have around your house.

White vinegar and baking soda

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda in a bowl
2. Dip a cloth or sponge into the mixture
3. Rub the tarnished areas of the cutlery gently
4. Rinse the cutlery with warm water

Lemon and salt

1. Cut a lemon in half an sprinkle salt over the exposed side
2. Rub the salted lemon over your cutlery until the tarnish is removed
3. Rinse well with warm water and dry with a clean cloth

Toothpaste

1. Apply a small amount of non-gel, non-abrasive toothpaste to the tarnished area
2. Rub the toothpaste gently using a soft cloth or your fingers
3. Rinse off with warm water and dry immediately with a clean cloth