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Silverplate Cleaning Methods

Salt and mayonnaise are hazardous to your silverplated flatware or serving pieces. Tomatoes, oranges and eggs also create acid, which forms tarnish discolorations and black marks. The key to keeping your silver looking beautiful is to rinse it with warm water immediately after using it and washing it with a mild detergent as soon as possible. You should also use a good method for deep cleaning about once a week.

Soft Cream Polish
- Clean silverplate with one of the soft cream polishes designed for this purpose. Use a soft cloth such as an old piece of terry cloth and a toothbrush for deeply tarnished and intricate areas. Gently scour until a nice shine appears. Wash in warm water and mild dish detergent, then dry and polish with a soft cotton cloth or cotton flour sack towel. Cotton diapers work well, too.
Aluminum Foil Bath
- Try using aluminum foil to clean and protect silver plated flatware. Squish and crumple clean 12-inch pieces of foil, enough to cover the bottom of a bowl or sink. Place the silver pieces on top of the aluminim bed. Add a few drops of dish detergent and fill with enough warm water to cover the silver. Soak for 20 minutes. Retrieve the silver, and wash it with fresh warm water and more dish detergent. Dry and polish with a soft cotton cloth.
Liquid Silver Polish
- Use a mild and nonabrasive liquid silver polish. To verify safety, test it on a piece of stainless steel flatware or an old pitted silverplated piece (with etchings) to see if it leaves a residue. According to Silver Cleaner.org, the best products, "do not leave residue in the engravings etched in the silver items." Apply the liquid cleaner and leave it on for 15 to 20 seconds. Wash in warm water and dish detergent, and dry with a soft clean cloth. Do not shine or buff.

Other Collecting