Brush Set Ivory
One year my husband and I were given a small decorated tree in a silver pot for Christmas. We enjoyed the tree for months and then it died. The next year I decided to use the pot for a Christmas cactus. When I took the pot off the shelf it was badly tarnished.
I started to polish the pot with cream polish and realized the silver was coming off. Do not follow my example! Before you polish anything, check to see if the piece is sterling silver or plated. Follow these other tips, too.
1. Select the polish. According to the Silver Cleaning website, you should buy the best liquid or cream polish you can find. “A polish or cream that has been around for a while will probably be the most reliable,” notes the site.
2. Follow the instructions. Sometimes we are in such a hurry we start a job without reading the instructions. Read every word of the instructions and follow them.
3. Prewash items. Washing items beforehand removes dust and, in some instances, bits of food. Dry the items well before you clean them. I use flour sack dish towels for this job.
4. Protect the counter with newspaper. Polish is messy stuff, so set the items on newspaper and clean them there. Keep extra paper close by in case you need it.
5. Use a soft cloth. “Clean Silver Flatware: Traditional and Homemade Methods,” an article on the “Good Housekeeping” website, recommends thick, soft cloths for cleaning. You may also use a sponge. Never, ever, clean silver with a scouring pad.
6. Monitor your moves. The “Good Housekeeping” website recommends an up and down motion, not a circular motion. Use a small amount of polish and start in a small area.
7. Clean hard to reach areas with a toothbrush. I learned this trick from my mother. It works well, but you have to use a soft bristle brush or baby’s toothbrush. Cotton swabs may also work.
8. Be gentle with soap. After you have cleaned an item, wash it again in warm, soapy water. Abe Silverman, who owns an antique silver shop and has his own website, recommends Ivory liquid. “Remove all traces of the silver polishing agent and rinse completely,” he advises. Do not use harsh detergent.
9. Store properly. Flatware should be stored in a wooden box with dividers. Our silver chest was given to us for a wedding present. Though the top is scratched, the felt-lined compartments are in excellent condition, and protect knives, forks, and spoons. Larger items should be stored in bags made for this purpose.
10. Clean silver regularly. Experts say you should clean silver every six months. Extremely tarnished items will need several cleanings.
Don’t hide your silver in the back of a cupboard. Take it out and enjoy it. Family pieces will bring back memories of past celebrations. New pieces — a candy dish, a bell, a box — can add to new traditions.
Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson
Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for decades. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of Health Care Journalists, and Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from Amazon.
Centering Corporation has published her 26th book, “Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life” and a companion journal with 100 writing prompts. Please visit Harriet’s website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.
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