With the visitors coming for holiday dining it is now the moment to take out the finest décor and tableware. With the beautiful china comes the tarnished silver.
Along with preparing the festive meal and cleaning the abode this is the also the time that people find themselves hustling to polish the silver tableware, platters, and candlesticks. What impresses guests more than perfectly polished silver sparkling so that they may see their reflections?
Good Houskeeping has taken the guess-work out of finding the best silver polish
- Weiman Royal Sterling Silver Polish won their “best in Show”.
- The Twinkle Silver Polish Kit is the “Runner Up”.
- For “Convenience” their pick is Connoisseurs Silver Wipes.
There are some eco-friendly alternatives that you already have in the abode waiting for you to use to polish your silver.
- A great silver polish is old-fashioned tooth paste.
a candlestick polished with toothpaste
- Use water to wet the Silver.
- Use your finger to apply a small amount of toothpaste on the silver, rubbing the toothpaste into the silver while keeping it damp.
- Keep rubbing until toothpaste looks almost black, then let sit for about 2 minutes.
- Wash off the toothpaste.
- You may need to repeat the steps for very tarnished silver.
- Use a soft cloth to dry the silver, rubbing until it shines.
You will now have beautiful sparkling silver.
- Take out the baking soda and polish the silver.
Method One
- Make a paste of baking soda and water.
- Rub the paste into the silver.
- To remove tarnish sprinkle baking soda directly onto a damp cloth and rub it on the silverware until tarnish is gone.
- Rinse and polish with a soft cloth.
Method Two This technique works well for intricate filigree pieces.
- Line the bottom of a sauce pan with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Put water into the saucepan or pot with equal amounts of salt and baking soda. The amount of salt and baking soda depends on your saucepan or pot size. Use approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of each.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Place the silver items into the boiling water so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. Make sure that the water covers them.
- The tarnish will vanish.
- Boil for 2-3 minutes. For heavily tarnished items, leave them in for 5 minutes.
- Remove the silver when it is clean.
- Rinse the silver with water and dry with a soft cloth.
Keep Your Silver Shining
- Wash each piece and be sure it’s thoroughly dry before storing. Dampness, air and sunlight are silver’s worst enemies.
- Store flatware in an airtight drawer, chest, or in preventive bags.
- Keep larger pieces like trays, candlesticks and serving dishes, in flannel cases or wrap them in acid-free tissue paper first, then in a plastic bag that closes.
- Never wrap silver in plastic food wrap, foil, newspaper or bind flatware with rubber bands. These can damage the silver’s finish.
Polish the silver to the beat of your favorite holiday song. Enjoy the friends, family and the delicious food. Go with the flow and never be afraid to dance!
Show me your support and subscribe to this blog, sign in under email subscription at the top of the column on the blog’s right side.
Read and subscribe to my Interior Design and Interior Decorating articles written for Examiner.com
Visit weberlifedesign.com for further inspired professional design advice!
weberlifedesignspeaks✦com 