perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439 
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Nov 23, 2016 4:04:59 GMT
I had a tiered serving tray I needed to use for a work thing yesterday that was starting to look kind of bad with tarnish on it. I remembered there was a super easy trick with water and foil but couldn't remember the rest of it. Looked it up: Boil 1 liter of water with 1 T baking soda and 1 piece of aluminum foil (the website didn't say how big so I went with one strip about three inches wide.) So I did it in my frying pan. Got the water boiling and then dropped in the trays one at a time. Less than 30 seconds was all it took to have them pretty and shiny again. 30 seconds. No smelly polish. no elbow grease. No expensive English butlers. It was awesome. So if you need to polish your silverware I highly recommend this method. I do suggest you have a dry cloth to wipe them with because this system does leave a baking soda residue on the silver that has to be wiped off. You also have to be sure the water is boiling. Just hot doesn't work near as well. Oh and also use tongs.  BTW, if someone wants to explain the science behind why this works, I'd love to hear it. |
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Nov 23, 2016 6:03:40 GMT
I use this method all the time. Our everyday tableware is silver--a big regret, to be honest. I line a baking pan with foil, put the silverware in, sprinkle with baking soda, and pour the water over it. Definitely gets it clean. Polishing after would probably make it shinier. My home is no Downton Abbey.
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 23, 2016 6:58:18 GMT
I buy those disposable aluminum pans all the time for "silver polishing day."
SO much easier than lining the pan, etc and is great if you have a larger piece that won't fit in anything.
m
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Post by Delta Dawn on Nov 23, 2016 7:58:51 GMT
I buy those disposable aluminum pans all the time for "silver polishing day." SO much easier than lining the pan, etc and is great if you have a larger piece that won't fit in anything. m What a brilliant idea. I hadn't thought about this. I have a massive tea service (thanks Mom) and a big tray would be perfect. Thank you! |
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Post by anonrefugee on Nov 23, 2016 10:28:03 GMT
I have a load of silver jewelry (vintage, Mexican, new artist) and used this method on it. My mother said I shouldn't, freaked would be more accurate.
It didn't seem any harsher than a a cream polish to me.
What say the RefuPeas?
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 23, 2016 12:21:36 GMT
It's been determined to be a safe way to clean silver.
For true aficionados, the main difference is that this chemical process leaves a more matte finish to the silver, while old-fashioned cream polishing leaves more of a mirror finish.
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Post by anonrefugee on Nov 23, 2016 14:00:23 GMT
It's been determined to be a safe way to clean silver. For true aficionados, the main difference is that this chemical process leaves a more matte finish to the silver, while old-fashioned cream polishing leaves more of a mirror finish. Safe for jewelry too? It lightened some dark (electrolysis? ) detail from one new piece, but otherwise seemed fine. ive used used a cloth buff and restore the shine when needed. |
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Post by mcscrapper on Nov 23, 2016 15:15:06 GMT
I buy those disposable aluminum pans all the time for "silver polishing day." SO much easier than lining the pan, etc and is great if you have a larger piece that won't fit in anything. m What a brilliant idea. I hadn't thought about this. I have a massive tea service (thanks Mom) and a big tray would be perfect. Thank you! I'd love to see that tea service! My step-mother had a massive amount of sterling pieces we ended up selling after she passed. I've kept all of my mom's family pieces that have been in our family forever. I love it all but just can't store it nor keep up with the polishing! That would be a full-time job!!! I can't help myself tho....I love me some silver! SaveSave |
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on Nov 23, 2016 15:27:39 GMT
I think the science is changing the polarization of ions, allowing the tarnish to dissolve away. My MIL puts her sterling in the dishwasher.  It looks awful--very, very white casted. Her pattern is also very intricate, but the dishwasher doesn't leave any dark areas so you can see the pattern. My mom has the same pattern, and we've always polished her set by hand, so I know what it's *supposed* to look like. I wish I could have gotten sterling when we got married, but it was so $$$. We don't entertain like that anymore anyway--even if I *could* entertain like I'd like, I've realized I prefer the look of silverplate and hotel silverplate. I have a nice collection of Revere bowls. Dh got me one from an antique store when we got engaged--we used it at our wedding on a table in church vestibule (small vestibule with an ocean mural on the wall--mom made a tall table covered with a tablecloth and displayed our engagement portrait, floral displays, and the revere bowl with hydrangeas floating in it.) I've picked up several more over the years. I see them for $5-$20 at thrift stores all the time. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 23, 2016 22:21:41 GMT
Safe for jewelry too? It lightened some dark (electrolysis? ) detail from one new piece, but otherwise seemed fine. ive used used a cloth buff and restore the shine when needed. It should be safe for pure sterling silver jewelry. Some modern sterling jewelry is treated differently, however, to retard tarnishing and that "finish" that's applied may be what's reacting poorly to the chemical bath. Also be careful of using this process with some stones -- especially turquoise, opal, pearl, and others. |
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Post by anonrefugee on Nov 24, 2016 4:15:11 GMT
Safe for jewelry too? It lightened some dark (electrolysis? ) detail from one new piece, but otherwise seemed fine. ive used used a cloth buff and restore the shine when needed. It should be safe for pure sterling silver jewelry. Some modern sterling jewelry is treated differently, however, to retard tarnishing and that "finish" that's applied may be what's reacting poorly to the chemical bath. Also be careful of using this process with some stones -- especially turquoise, opal, pearl, and others. Coral! I had a beautiful ring my parents gave me. I thought I had the stone out of the water but messed up.  it dulled it, and I swear ate away a bit. But I didn't have a clear pic for comparison. |
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It looks awful--very, very white casted. Her pattern is also very intricate, but the dishwasher doesn't leave any dark areas so you can see the pattern. My mom has the same pattern, and we've always polished her set by hand, so I know what it's *supposed* to look like. 
Southern Side eyed Pea 
it dulled it, and I swear ate away a bit. But I didn't have a clear pic for comparison.