posted on August 31, 2000 10:02:05 PM
Does anybody have suggestions for cleaning and polishing silver that looks as if it has literally never been cleaned in its 50+ years? I have tried all my normal silver polishes, plus Hagerty's Silver Dip, which is a nasty-smelling but extremely effective cleaner. It works, but it reeks, and I don't have a container of the right size (or enough dip) to actually soak some of these items.
This stuff is beyond oxidized...I can't even describe the coating! But the two small pieces I managed to clean up do look great. So if any of you silver mavens have an answer, I'd love to know it. Thanks.
posted on August 31, 2000 10:28:47 PM
I understand that you are not supposed to use that liquid cleaner on silver as it takes the silver off the item. Maybe do a search on silver cleaning on the internet and they can give you suggestions. I only use Wright's silver polish/creme as I was taught at an early age and that is what I was told to use.
Mother knows best. Good Luck
posted on August 31, 2000 10:32:36 PM
Take it to someone who has a polishing wheel and let them polish it.
DO NOT use silver dip on antique silver. It totally destroys the patina and will ruin the pieces. It is very hard to get the patina back once its been ruined.
If you don't want to pay to have it cleaned, prepare to spend hours with silver cream...
posted on September 1, 2000 12:33:33 AM
You can try baking soda. Make a paste out of it, using a small amount of water. It will take alot of elbow grease but it should work. I have also heard that dry baking soda works well on liquid silver jewelry.
posted on September 1, 2000 10:13:41 PM
Just wanted to report back that the aluminum foil/baking powder/hot water thing did the trick, though it took most of the morning and some added ingredients and tweaking.
First, I found a similar "recipe" on the web, and it said to add a teaspoon of baking soda AND a teaspoon of salt to the water, bring it to a boil, and then gently simmer the silver piece for a few minutes. I noticed that the foil was gradually "taking on" the tarnish from the silver, while the water remained clear. When the foil got really dirty, I took it out and added new foil, soda, and salt. Doing this enough times broke down the remaining tarnish so that I was able to polish the items in question and they look great.
Thanks, all! Maybe this will help some other person in need of info about silver cleaning.
