Silver polish
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Baking soda paste, a foil soak or a boil method. Bring back the shine on tarnished silver.
What You’ll Need
- Paste: half a box of baking soda plus water to a thick, wet paste; soft cloth or sponge
- Foil soak: two heaping tablespoons baking soda (or 1 cup baking soda per 1 gallon water); very hot or boiling water to cover; foil-lined dish (shiny side up)
- Boil method: 1 tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp table salt; 2-3 inches water; foil-lined pot
Equipment
- saucepan
Directions
- Paste: rub it onto the silver and leave for about 30 seconds (light tarnish) up to 10 minutes (heavy tarnish); rinse with cool water, then dry and buff.
- Foil soak: line a dish with foil, put in the silver, cover with very hot water, and sprinkle in the baking soda; soak for 30 minutes, then rinse, dry and buff.
- Boil: line a pot with foil, put in the silver, cover with 2-3 inches water, add the baking soda and salt, and boil for about four minutes; lift out with tongs, then rinse, dry and buff.
- Large pieces: wrap each one in foil (shiny side facing in), set in a tub, and cover with hot water plus 1 cup baking soda per gallon; soak for up to 30 minutes, then unwrap, dry and buff.
Notes
Rinse baking soda out of crevices (edges, feet, finials). Safety: use tongs and pour hot water carefully. Also: skip the foil and boiling methods for antiques, plated pieces, oxidized (darkened-on-purpose) designs, and anything with stones, pearls, glue or hollow handles, they can be damaged. Ventilate (sulfur smell).