Has your precious silverware set blackened over time? Whether it’s jewellery, family heirlooms or tableware, silver is as precious as it is fragile. As we all know, silver is bound to oxidise. So, how do you clean silver to give it a brand-new shine? What natural products are available to care for our silver objects? We explain everything in this article. Plus, for those seeking professional care for their house chores, Wecasa cleaning services offer an array of options to ensure your home is treated with the utmost care.
The Easiest Way To Clean Silverware Without Scrubbing!
You don’t necessarily have to scrub to recover blackened silver and make it shine. There’s a simple grandmother’s trick to clean your silver jewellery that requires just aluminium foil and water.
How to clean silver objects without scrubbing
- Line the bottom of a baking dish or large salad bowl with aluminium foil.
- Pour in boiling water and 2 tablespoons of salt or baking soda.
- Immerse the silverware and leave it to stand for as long as necessary.
- Leave to cool, then rinse and dry the silverware.
The oxidation present in the silver will simply transfer to the aluminium foil. We warn you, the smell is not very pleasant! In return, your silver will be as good as new.
Natural products for cleaning blackened silverware
No, cleaning your silverware doesn’t have to involve a multitude of chemicals. It’s quite possible to maintain it with just a few ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen cupboard!
Care for silver with lemon juice or baking soda
The silverware cleaning can be made with the help of two ingredients: baking soda (edible or not) or lemon juice. Equipment? A used toothbrush and a cloth are all you need.
The method is simple:
- Soak a toothbrush in lemon juice or baking soda.
- Scrub every nook and cranny of your silverware.
- Rinse, then wipe dry with a cloth.
These two eco-friendly cleaning ingredients will make your silverware shine like new.
Rubbing your silverware with baking soda isn’t enough? You can also soak it in warm water with a dash of baking soda, then brush and rinse.
Cleaning silverware with white vinegar
White vinegar is another ingredient found in every home. And for good reason: it has many uses, including cleaning silverware! Shall we tell you how?
Steps for cleaning silverware:
- Fill a large container, such as a basin, with white vinegar.
- Soak your silver for at least 12 hours.
- Rinse and dry each item.
You don’t even need to scrub – silverware cleaning does it all! If certain stains persist, hot (not boiling) vinegar is more effective.
Good to know his tip also works with beer. Its antioxidant properties are capable of dissolving the chemical toxicity that blackens silver.
Shine silver with toothpaste or ashes
Toothpaste and fireplace ash may seem far apart, but these ingredients have one thing in common: their abrasive properties. This makes them ideal for cleaning your silver!
How to clean silver with toothpaste :
- Preferably choose a tube of white paste toothpaste.
- Apply the paste to a brush or cloth, then gently rub the silver.
- Leave your dishes or knick-knacks to rest for a few minutes.
- Rinse under running water and check that no residue remains.
- Use a soft cloth to polish your silverware.
You can also take advantage of a wood fire in winter to collect a few ashes in the fireplace. Simply sprinkle on silver and rub gently.
Save Your Potato Cooking Water For Cleaning Silverware
Another simple and very economical tip: simply save the cooking water from your potatoes.
The silverware cleaning method :
- Transfer the cooking water (lukewarm or cold) from the potatoes into a bowl.
- Dip your cutlery and other silver objects in it, then leave to soak overnight.
- The next day, rinse and dry your silverware.
A little tip: To get your silver to shine use traditional chamois leather.
As you can see, natural ingredients and a little elbow grease are all you need to clean your silver properly. By following our tips, you’ll preserve your silver objects longer and prevent them from oxidising! Need more advice? Feel free to consult all our cleaning articles from the Wecasa Mag.
