How to Remove Stains & Tarnish From Regular Kitchen Silverware
Even though we don't all own antique or special silverware, we still want to take care of the items we use in our home. Everyday use and storing can cause stains and tarnish to build up on kitchen silverware. We can't go out and buy a new set of silverware every time we see a stain or some tarnish, however. Clean your stained silverware with the proper tools and procedures and save yourself the money of buying a whole new set. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Towel
- Bowl
- Cream of tartar
- Lemon juice
- Rubbing alcohol
- Toothpaste
- Cloth or rag
- Sponge
- Aluminum foil
- Table salt
Instructions
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Stains
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1
Wet the silverware with warm water and hand dry. If silverware is allowed to air dry it will often build up water stains, so a simple hand drying will remove many stains.
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2
Mix equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice into a bowl. Wipe onto the stained silverware with a soft cloth. Scrub off with a sponge to remove the stain. This is the best mixture to use on rust stains.
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3
Dampen the corner of a rag in rubbing alcohol and rub onto the stain. Allow the alcohol to sit for about a minute, then rub clean.
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4
Dampen the corner of a cloth in warm water, then apply a small amount of plain white toothpaste. Rub onto the stain. Rinse with warm water and wipe with a clean rag.
Tarnish
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5
Line a medium or large bowl with aluminum foil. The bowl must be large enough to hold a layer of the silverware that needs to be cleaned.
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6
Lay the silverware into the bowl so that each piece has contact with the aluminum foil. Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt over the silverware.
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7
Fill the bowl with hot water so that it completely covers the silverware. Consider boiling the water and then pouring it into the bowl; the hotter the water, the better the tarnish removal. Soak the silverware for at least an hour.
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8
Remove the silverware and rinse under warm water. Rub with a cloth or sponge while under the running water to remove the loosened tarnish. Hand dry to remove any water marks.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wash the silverware and hand dry it after all cleaning efforts to remove any chemicals before next use.
