Cleaning Silverplate Flatware

RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By susanna (Guest Post) (07/04/2007) I like the soda+vinegar suggestion, not th polishing. How long do you leave the candlestick in the solution? RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By cheri (Guest Post) (01/13/2007) what is washing soda? RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Bobbie (Guest Post) (04/19/2006) Can you use baking soda instead of washing soda? I have a bunch of reallly tarnished plate. I am going to sell it, and hoping that dipping it once won't damage it too bad. ?? RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Lady Ianna (Guest Post) (03/06/2006) To clean your silverplate it is not recommended that you use the baking soda method. The reason being that it is a chemical reaction that will strip away they layers of silver on the item. Tarn-X will do the same. Since silverplate is a layer of silver over another metal, eventually you will remove the silver from the item. When this happens you then have to have the item re-plated. It is best to use a good silver polish that is designed specifically for silver. Hagerty's makes a number of different styles of polishes that work very well. No I do not work for Hagerty or have any financial interest in them in any way. I do however do alot of work with a local Silverplater who recommends the use of this product on a daily basis. Also - never ever put your silverplate in the dishwasher. The heat and the chemical reaction with the stainless can discolour the silver. Another thing I was told, was that you should never ever use the baking soda method with silver candlesticks as it destroys the "weighting" in the bottom of the candlestick. (this is what keeps it from tipping over.) Application of heat to the "weighting" substance will loosen it up, and your candlesticks will soon begin to look a bit tipsy. If you have any other questions, or concerns about your silver, brass, copper, pewter etc. you can check out this gentleman's website at http://www.zophyssilverplating.com ** I do not receive any financial recompense for passing on this information. I am just very happy with the work that he has done for me at reasonable prices. ** Good Luck! RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Sandy in Vermont (Guest Post) (10/21/2005) The fabric you are talking about is called Pacific cloth. A higher end fabric store would carry it..Like The Fabric Place in Ma. RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Annette Me (Guest Post) (09/27/2005) ERROR--ERROR YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE GLASS WHEN USING THE SILVER CLEANING RECIPE. CAN USE ANYTHING LARGE ENOUGH. Another recipe with an insert called for the container to be glass. 4 qts warm water; 4 Tbs salt; 4 Tbs washing soda; with aluninum foil in bottom. RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Annette from ME... (Guest Post) (09/27/2005) Mix 4 quarts warm water 4 tablespoons salt 4 tablespoons washing soda. Place in large glass dish with a piece of aluminun on bottom, be sure all silver is covered to work. Have forgotten how long it takes. RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post by cookwie (749) | (09/27/2005) Profile | Contact Get some anti tarnish strips and put them in the bag. Available at The Container Store and other stores. Hancock Fabrics sells anti tarnish cloth (called Pacific Cloth) that you can put in the bag, too. I've been told more than once that the liquid you could dip the silver into and which immediately strips away the tarnish also strips away the outer layer of silver. Best not to use this. Tarn X is one brand. A good method is to do what museums do. Something about immersing it in a sink lined with aluminum foil, filled with hot water to which washing soda has been added... I know that it stops working when the water turns colder. Look this method up on the internet. Make sure the silver pieces touch each other to make the electrolytic action possible. RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By Claudia-MD (Guest Post) (09/27/2005) Tarnex is probably easier to use, but is harder on the finish. There is a specially treated fabic (like flannel) that is used to line silverware chests that retards tarnish. You can buy it in a pocketed cloth form. One of these to store your silverware in should cut down on the frequency of polishing. RE: Cleaning Silverplate Flatware Post By kelly (Guest Post) (09/27/2005) Ebay forums has terrific suggestions here: http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?forumID=13&threadID=8109