Cleaning silver?

**Mom** · 21st October 2010, 17:37

As the title says how do you clean silver?

Now, I own and clean a Silver Cornet, and keep it looking great with a simple cloth and gentle rubbing but...

I have inherited some lovely old silverware. Emphasis on old and sentimentally valuable, though I am sure some of it may well hold a bit of real value one day. It is not clean, mostly tarnished black, but a set of salt and pepper shakers on the salt there is green corrosion on the shaker part (probably not silver). I am familiar with elbow grease, I spent may years as a child polishing some of this stuff

and I am happy to do the same again, but I seem to remember there is a simple way of reducing tarnish by soaking in a sink of water lined with tinfoil????

Who of you have a fool proof, old wives tale, aunty enid tried and true method of cleaning silverware? My hands thank you in anticipation

**Laava** · 21st October 2010, 17:42

Steal some new stuff from the black sticks?

**Mom** · 21st October 2010, 17:44

Originally Posted by Laava

Steal some new stuff from the black sticks?

Choice bro...

Best you come and visit the caravan over summertime. We have gold cutlery there now

**fliplid** · 21st October 2010, 17:45

*
Heard of this before, the silver and tin foil stuff, from way back in the misty annals of time...
"Find a container large enough to immerse the item to be cleaned. Put a piece of aluminium foil into the container and add hot water and salt. Dip the silverware into the solution and after a few seconds it will become white and shining."

Explanation, apparently; "Cleaning silver with aluminium foil - the reason this works is Aluminium is very active metal and silver is quite inert so aluminium reacts with the (tarnished silver) and frees up the silver metal and removes the rest in a chemical reaction. Silver is fairly inert but will react with any sulphur compounds in the air which is why Silver slowly tarnishes."

**ducatilover** · 21st October 2010, 17:51

I use "silvo"
http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/silvopolish/
Not that I polish silver ware, being a male and all.....

**vindy500** · 21st October 2010, 17:53

Shined up some really ratty looking candle stick holders with silvo, come out looking stunning

**Mom** · 21st October 2010, 17:53

Originally Posted by fliplid

*
Heard of this before, the silver and tin foil stuff, from way back in the misty annals of time...
"Find a container large enough to immerse the item to be cleaned. Put a piece of aluminium foil into the container and add hot water and salt. Dip the silverware into the solution and after a few seconds it will become white and shining."

Explanation, apparently; "Cleaning silver with aluminium foil - the reason this works is Aluminium is very active metal and silver is quite inert so aluminium reacts with the (tarnished silver) and frees up the silver metal and removes the rest in a chemical reaction. Silver is fairly inert but will react with any sulphur compounds in the air which is why Silver slowly tarnishes."

Bless you, if I can knock some of the corrosion off the cheats way then the finishing touches wont be too hard. What do you reckon to doing it in a SS sink? Should I use a plastic bucket? I am not up to scratch with electric mice, but understand what they can achieve if given an opportunity

**Genie** · 21st October 2010, 17:57

and for the big three....Silvo is the one.

Found on most supermarkets shelves, awesome stuff it's what Great Granny used and most likely her Great Granny before her....

**slofox** · 21st October 2010, 18:24

I use Silvo to polish up all those silver cups lilfox and I win in the world of dance...

**Wannabiker** · 21st October 2010, 18:27

There is a foaming silver cleaner available. It goes on with a sponge, and is less abrasive. We use it when restoring medals. I think it is made by Goddards.

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE BRASSO!!! it is way too coarse and will give silverware a gorgeous satin finish.....

**MIXONE** · 21st October 2010, 18:32

If you leave it soaking in a solution of baking soda and water it brings silver up a treat.Then just finish it off with Silvo.

**Laava** · 21st October 2010, 20:47

Originally Posted by Mom

Choice bro...

Best you come and visit the caravan over summertime. We have gold cutlery there now

Only if you have some type of water cannon available for the assailing of the tubby ginger one!

**Laava** · 21st October 2010, 20:48

Originally Posted by ducatilover

I use "silvo"
http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/silvopolish/
Not that I polish silver ware, being a male and all.....

You polish..........? Something helmety?

**JMemonic** · 21st October 2010, 21:06

If you have corrosion then its most likely the item is silver plated, there are some very good cleaners available from you local jewellers and at good prices.

It might be wise to go to a manufacturing jeweller in your area and get them to check everything out to be sure the plating will not just drop off.