KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
|
Re: whats the easiest way to polish silverware?
My first thought was "have the maid do it" 
Actually, I like the jars of pink paste that come with a sponge. Just get the sponge wet, scoop up a little paste with it and rub the silver to remove tarnish. The paste and sponge will turn black from the tarnish and oxidation. Just rub well, and rinse and wash. I usually have a tub or sink of warm soapy water nearby and I polish several pieces, put them in the water, then wash all at once. I don't have a favorite brand - I just pick one up at the grocery store when I need it.
|
riniko
LIF Toddler
Member since 3/06 486 total posts
Name:
|
Re: whats the easiest way to polish silverware?
Okay since I just read this in my Good Housekeeping Magazine, I will be nice and type it out.
Good Way
1. Gather a few thick, soft cloths and silver polish (list at bottom)
2. Always follow your product's label directions, but typically, you'll start by putting a small amount of polish onto the cloth, dampened if necessary.
3. Rub the polish onto one utensil at a time, going in an up-and-down, not circulat, motion to avoid highlighting fine scratches. Work polish into tight areas (between fork tines and into pattern crevices); add more to your cloth if necessary. Turn the cloth frequently as you work, so tarnish isn't deposited back on your silver. Depending on the polish and the darkness of the tarnish, it'll take anywhere from 45 seconds toa few minutes per utensil (longer for larger pieces).
4 Rinse the cleansed itesm in warm water; buff to a shine with a clean, dry, soft cloth. Admire your handiwork.
Good Enough
1. This faster method uses a reaction between alumiunum foil and tarnish, where the latter "jumps" from the silver to the foil. Note" For pieces with hollor handles or glued sections that can be damaged by soaking, or those where antiqued areas are part of the decoration, stick to the Good Way.
2. Collect forks, spoons, and other basic pieces. Line a plastic (not metal) basin with alumiunum foil, shiny side up. Place the silver inside. Make sure all pieces are contacting the foil or touching a utensil that is.
3. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup washing soda (find it at grocery stores.) Pour in 1 gallon of boiling water. Stir and let the silver soak 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Wearing rubber gloves, remove the silver. Rinse, and buff with a clean, soft cloth. For very tarnished items, repeat the process.
------------
Top Silver Polishes
'Tis the season for fancy dinners - and the annoying chore of polishing flatware. We tested 21 products, including liquids, pastes, wipes, and gloves to see how quickly, easily and thoroughly they removed tarnish - and even if they kept it from coming back.
Best in Show - Weisman Royal Sterling Silver Polish $4.59 earned a nearly perfect score in our test, removing tarnish most effectively and efficiently. This liquid spiffed up our silverware fastest )less than one minute per piece) and did the best job of the winners at retarding tarnish's return, even after six weeks.
Runner-up - Twinkle Silver Polish Kit $3 wihch includes a thick cream polish and sponge applicator, really buffed up the patina, espicially on the more heavily-tarnished pieces. The Twinkle was the fastest acting of the pastes, burnishing each utensil in about a minute and a half. While it took a bit longer to use than the Weiman, it left behind a slighly better shine.
Covenience Choice - Connoisseurs Silver Wipes - $6 for 10 wipes did a very good job without the mess of liquid od paste, and were especially useful for getting between fork tines. While their cleaning results weren't quite as stellar (or as fast, at about two minutes per item) as our other pick, these easily beat the other wipes tested.
GHRI Advice
After use, store silver in special antitarnish bags or wrap in acid-free tissue papaer and seal in zipper-topped plastic bags.
Source (from November's Good Housekeeping) - excuse my typos if any.
|
