Aluminium Cleaning Plate

[Bramleyboy]

I have just bought an aluminium plate for cleaning silver. Do they wear out. If so, how do you know when they are worn out? Are they really any good? I have seen some instructions to use boiling water And others just use warm water. Does it matter? I would be interested to read other people's experiences. Many thanks in anticipation, Bramleyboy

[woofgang]

I use cooking foil........

[tenrec]

A silver smith told me that to keep silver looking good, just wash gently once a week and dry with a soft t-towel. No need to polish.

[Bramleyboy]

I tried cooking foil but it just went brittle! It did work but the plate was more effective. Many thanks. I think washing and drying is very good but accasionally it's good to go to town!

[Rosiecat]

A combination of ordinary 'cooking' foil, baking or cleaning bicarbonate of soda and boiling water will work just as well. Put the foil,soda and item to be cleaned into a bowl and cover with boiling water and leave to the fizzing stops. Remove the cleaned item (if its badly tarnished this will need to be repeated)-leave the rest to cool before disposing. The science is that the silver oxide (black on the silver) is is redeposited on the aluminium as Al. oxide-The alumium will turn black instead of the silver.Be carefully if the item is plated or damaged-don't leave it in the foil/soda/boiling water stew for too long

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Does this work for white gold?

[woofgang]

no, only silver