Cleaning Silver

[Barmaid]

Right, I am trying to consolidate two kitchens into one tonight while the BF goes on the lash with his mates. I have just found his late mother's tea set which is very badly tarnished. I'd like to clean it so that when he comes home it is all shiny. I don't have any silver cleaner or bicarb. Any ideas of things I might have in a (very limited) store cupboard that might take off very bad tarnish?

Ta ever so

[ChuckFickens]

how are your toothpaste stocks looking ?

[Barmaid]

Ahhhh, does that one work Chuck? I might try that - I have to shop early am so can always pick up some more.

[funnygirl]

Didn't someone on here mention that coca cola is good. Just soak them in the drink and buff up.

[ChuckFickens]

Best to use plain old simple toothpaste if you have it, the gels etc don't work as well (the plain toothpastes have bicarb' in them)

use a damp cloth, put a little toothpaste on the cloth and polish away, the cloth will go black as the tarnish is removed.

(your silverware may smell minty fresh afterwards but it will clean it)

[society]

My grandmother used to rub lemon on her silvers then let them sit for a while. Couple hours later she's give them a good rubbing-down with soft cloth (old cotton t-shirt) then wash them in warm water with a bit of dish detergent added. Then she'd shine them again. They always came out good.

[naomi24]

Lay a sheet of aluminium foil in the bottom of a bowl, sprinkle a bit of salt on, top up with hot water, and put the silver in for a few seconds. Wash the silver well in warm soapy water afterwards and dry. Voila! Shiny silver.

I've heard it said that this method is not good for the silver, but none of my cutlery (which I've had for years and I'm far too lazy to clean in the conventional manner) has ever come to grief.

[Panic Button]

Once it's clean, get it down the auctioneers!

[Sachs]

Barmaid,
just a thought! Are you sure he'll appreciate you cleaning it?

[Sachs]

May lose value?

[xstitcher]

I have used bicarb with foil on some serving spoons from Norway. The end result after using this method a few times was that it was taking away the silver. I then read an item in a local freebe magazine from a silver smith telling people never to use this method as it would do exactly what happened to my spoons.
This is just a word of warning.

[daffy654]

Silver doesn't lose value when polished,you may be thinking of bronze there sachs.

[naomi24]

xstitcher. Were the spoons silver plated? That's actually something to consider Barmaid. Don't use that method I suggedted if the tea set is not solid silver.

[Barmaid]

Thanks all! I haven't got any coke or lemons so that idea is out.

I know salt burns silver so I am reluctant to try that (especially as it is his late mothers). That's why silver salt salvers always had little blue dishes in them. I don't have any bicarb. (Can't you tell I am living in a "bloke's house"!?)

I don't think it will lose value (although it is from Garrards - their mark is on it together with the hallmarks) - in any event he would NEVER part with it, it being one of the few items he has from his mum. I'd just like it shiny for Christmas so we can have it out on display rather than tarnishing in a cupboard.

Panic, actually, given the way he has wound me up tonight, perhaps I should grab ALL the antiques and leg it - quick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xstitcher]

Naomi24, yes now that you mention it I think they were silver plated.