Thursday, September 12, 2013

How to Clean Your Silver. Amazingly effective and easy!

So as most you know I have been spending a lot of time with my parents.   The last time I was there, my mom and I cleaned out her buffet.  We came across her almost completely black silver tea service.  She expressed that she might take it somewhere to have it professionally cleaned and put it back out because she loves it.  I laughed at the thought of the poor sucker who had to manage to clean that things up. 

Well, she had to go out of town for a few hours, so I turned to you all for advice on how to clean this thing up.  I thought if I could make a dent at least I could clean it every time I was there until it was clean.  One of you posted an ehow link and I went with it.  I wish I had a before photo because here is the after......


Next time I am there, I am going to do this again, just to make sure things are really clean.  This was incredible and though it isn't food, it qualifies as the "and my life" part!  My mom almost DIED when she saw it.  She was sure I took it somewhere while she was gone.  Perfect 10 strikes again!

Here is how this works.  They say you can put it right in boiling water, but 2 of my pieces were to big so you can do it how I did it, or do it all in the pot of boiling water if your silver pieces fit.

Clean your sink well.  In the bottom of the sink, lay a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side UP.  Please your pieces on top of it.  (when I did the tray I put the foil shiny side down on top so it was in contact with the area needing cleaned) Get it?

In a LARGE pot, boil water.  Boil enough to cover what you are doing as best you can.  Add in 1 tbsp. baking soda, and 1 tbsp. salt.  Pour it over the pieces and let sit for 5 minutes.  (less if less tarnished).  drain the water or lift it out of the water and with a soft rag start rubbing it.  You barely need to rub it at all.  In fact, I  put that tray under hot running water and the black just rinsed away!  It was SO cool!

If your pieces are small enough, lay the bottom of your pot with foil, add water, baking soda and salt and bring to a boil, slide in your smaller pieces, turn off the burner and wait.  Remove and wipe clean. 

I hope this is helpful for anyone who needs silver cleaned.  It is an ehow.com recipe, I just wanted to share it, as being completely effective and almost miraculous!!!

Your "addicted to cleaning silver" Chefwannabe

2 comments:

  1. LOL I think that was me who posted it because that's how I do mine and it's so easy!

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  2. I'm definitely going to try this. I have some old silverware that needs a good polishing but I've been scared to do it. I don't think I can screw up with this method!! LOL

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