Greetings Friends! I love collecting thrifted vintage silver and as I've said before, I really don't mind a tarnished patina. That being said, when my favorite tea set appeared to be solid black, I decided it was time to clean the silver! Recently, I found an easy, effective and chemical free solution that really works...
I have only been collecting silver for a few years and it's been awhile since I made the attempt to clean any. To be honest, I found the products I've tried and even a few home solutions I've read about, to be lacking. They were time consuming without very effective results. So I was pleasantly surprised when I "googled it" and found something simple and chemical free that works! See for yourself:
It shines like new and you won't believe how easy it is! Now, my readers are so resourceful I bet some of you have been using baking soda for years. That's right--baking soda! Just boil a pot of water, then remove it from the heat and line the bottom of your pot with foil. Submerge the tarnished silver...
...and sprinkle baking soda on top. It will bubble immediately and then dissolve quickly. Pull the silver out, rinse with cool water and dry with a soft cloth.
Sparkling silver and more time to stop and smell the roses! The pretty pink fairy roses are from my garden.
This is the set that looked almost solid black before, even the tray! For larger pieces like the tray, line your sink with foil and follow the same process by pouring the hot water on top.
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I don't have any silver to clean but this is a great solution to pin! Who knew? Baking soda is so versatile.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the rabbit salt and pepper shakers!
ReplyDeleteMarti
I didn't know about that method. How much baking soda do you use?
ReplyDeleteLove this Cecilia! I clean a lot of silverware before making my wind chimes and this would be so much easier. Thanks for sharing this tip. I'd never heard it before.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful set! I like polished silver. '-)
ReplyDeleteLike you I normally don't mind a bit of patina on my silver but occasional cleans is a necessary evil. Last time I cleaned silver I tried the method you used and it did indeed work quite well. Your silver and roses vignette is lovely.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I have heard of this trick before, but have never used it. Looks like it works well!
ReplyDeleteCecelia,
ReplyDeleteI have a tea set sitting on my dining room table right now that is so in need of this!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Higs,
Debbie
Really a time-saver. I enjoy my silver polished but don't get around to cleaning it as often as I should. Well, actually, Mr. Z. enjoys cleaning it, so I let him do that. This method will be great for large pieces. Will try it.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Audrey Z.
I have a similar silver tea service and you've got me thinking.....I'm not even sure where it is! Heard of this method, will have to try it some time. Your roses are beautiful! xo Kathleen
ReplyDeleteBaking soda has so many uses and here is one more! Your set looks fabulous and the roses top it off :) I will definitely try it...Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful display--thanks for the cleaning tip. Did you know that baking soda and boiling water on the stove also removes paint from old hardware? No foil though but it's pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous arrangement of your silver with the pretty pink roses--love it Cecilia!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I tried something similar before, but it was more complicated. Pinning so I can give this a try. Thanks for sharing at Talk of the Town.
ReplyDeleteGood grief! Now how simple is this? WOW! I quit messing with silver because I got so tired of cleaning it. I am pinning this right now! Thank you so much! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely pieces of silver. Thank you for so faithfully joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You are a treasured blogging friend.
ReplyDeleteI've never used baking soda to clean my silver but I will now! Thanks for that great tip!
ReplyDeletePS I LOVE your chandie.;-)
Nice to know that there is another kindred spirit that is later in the game of collecting silver, I have found some very pretty pieces as well.
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for the cleaning tip.
Such a pretty combination of silver, pink and your teal/turquoise in the background.
Thank you for joining us at TOHOT!
Jemma
Hi Cecilia, what a pretty staging of your silver teaset! Love the pinks with the shiny silver! And thanks for sharing the cleaning method with us. Have a great weekend,
ReplyDeleteGina
Cecilia,
ReplyDeleteExquisite Silver Set!
I remember my MoMa using a similar way to polish silver, but in the heirloom pieces, I now find some pitting from this process.
Silver polishing day is a favorite of mine!
It brings back memories of my childhood and youth,
polishing silver with my Sister!
I never tire of the amazing transformation that takes place!
Fondly,
Pat
I used your tip, and I must say it was a success. I found out having the foil in there is essential for it to work because forgot it on one of the baths, and it did nothing. The process didn't completely remove the tarnish, but it made it much easier to remove with polish & elbow grease.
ReplyDeleteThis is Florence, not Gary!
DeleteCute cute cute!
ReplyDelete