Guide to Shining Silverware - Impress Your Guests with Radiant Flatware That Will Make Others Envious
In the lead up to the holiday season, the task of polishing silverware often arises, a chore that is universally avoided until this time of year. But fear not, for we've compiled a series of methods to help you restore your silverware's shine with ease.
Firstly, let's discuss a popular method that triggers a reaction between silver sulfide and aluminum to lift tarnish. This involves boiling four cups of water and one tablespoon of baking soda. Line a container with aluminum foil, carefully pour the solution over the silverware until it is fully submerged, and let it sit for about 10 seconds to a minute, or longer for heavily tarnished items. Use kitchen tongs to remove the silverware, then rinse under cool running water and dry off with a microfiber cloth or a clean dishtowel.
Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, offers an alternative spot cleaning method. She recommends creating a paste of baking soda and water, applying it to the tarnished areas, and gently polishing with a soft cloth. For a more comprehensive clean, she suggests using this method in a large container, along with aluminum foil, a clean dishtowel, kitchen tongs, and optional toothpaste or a polishing cloth.
If you prefer to use a store-bought polish, Silvo (available at Walmart) is a trusty household brand to rely on. For those seeking a more natural approach, Charlotte Figg, co-founder of natural cleaning brand Purdy and Figg, suggests immersing the cutlery in water and baking soda, then polishing with a soft cloth to lift tarnish. Purdy Rubin, her fellow co-founder, suggests using egg whites for sparking silver, particularly for silver-plated items that cannot be immersed in water.
Town Talk Polishing Gloves from Walmart are an optional alternative for the methods that involve handling hot silverware. KAF Home Madison Set of 4 dishtowels from Target are recommended for the methods that require drying the silverware.
Lastly, it's important to note that in some cases, the tarnish may not lift, indicating that the silverware is silver-plated and the silver coating may have worn off. In such cases, it might be time to consider replacing the item.
The frequency of polishing silverware depends on how often it is used. Generally, two to six times a year is sufficient, but worn items may need cleaning more regularly. With these methods in hand, polishing silverware is quicker and easier than it was when done as a child, making the holiday season a little less daunting.
