The return of heirloom silverware

Keeping it shiny
Don’t let tarnish turn you off from silver. You can pick up some real bargains at flea markets and estate sales with tarnished pieces. Underneath it all there may be a rare gem and even if you can’t restore it to its former glory, you’ll have a conversation piece for your table.

Because all silver reacts to the sulphur in the air, it should be stored away when not in use. Regular cleaning is a must, but it’s not that complicated—elbow grease gets the job done. You can go the quick, but toxic route with high-quality commercial polish—however there are growing concerns over the residue chemicals getting into our food.

Fortunately there are all-natural cleaners that can be made from everyday ingredients. Some people swear by toothpaste used as a paste. The danger is that you may scratch the silver. The most tried and true recipes use baking soda either as a paste or a solution.

To learn more about silverware patterns visit the Antique Cupboard or Nancy Silver.

Recipes for cleaning silverware
Baking soda paste:

• Add enough water to the baking soda to make a paste.
• Use a natural bristle toothbrush, not plastic (it will scratch the silver).
• Rub the paste all over the silverware.
• Let it dry, rinse and then polish with a soft cloth. The key is to rinse and dry.

Baking soda solution:

• Fill an aluminium pan or a pan lined with aluminium foil with four cups of hot water.
• Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of salt into the water.
• Submerge the silver into the solution and let it sit for five to six minutes.
• Rinse the item well and polish with a soft cloth.

Note: This cleaning method will remove a desirable patina (dark crevices in a pattern) and may cause pitting. For silver with a patina, you may have to use a high-quality commercial polish. Look for the less toxic brands on the market.

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