How to Clean Sterling Silver Tea Sets
Sterling silver tea sets are subject not only to tarnish, but also to dark stains from tea, coffee and hard water. Using gentle cleaning methods to remove discoloration is critical to avoid damaging the silver. Scrubbing can leave scratches that trap dirt. The combination of baking soda and tin foil might take off light tarnish, but it can also damage the patina on antique silver and remove factory-applied oxidation. With proper maintenance, though, a sterling silver tea set can keep its shine for decades. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Cellulose sponge
- Silver cleaning paste
- Wooden spoon
- Denture tablet
- Toothbrush
- Cotton kitchen towel
Instructions
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Wash the tea set by hand in warm water to remove surface dirt. To avoid scratching or staining the silver, use a cellulose sponge and soap free of lemon scent, chloride and spot-removers. Hand dry with a cotton kitchen towel.
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Apply silver cleaning paste to a clean, damp cellulose sponge. Apply only a drop for light yellow tarnish. For darker brown or black tarnish, apply a liberal amount. Rub over tarnished or stained areas inside the cups and teapot. If you can't reach into the teapot, wrap the sponge around the end of a wooden spoon and push it into the pot. Alternatively, fill the teapot with warm water, and add a denture-cleaning tablet and let it sit for 10 minutes.
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Rinse the cups and teapot thoroughly with warm water. Brush off any remaining tarnish residue with a wet toothbrush. Wipe with a clean sponge and rinse the item again.
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Hand dry immediately with a cotton kitchen towel. The dishwasher's drying cycle may damage some sterling silver pieces, but letting them air dry allows water spots to form.
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Tips & Warnings
Silver cleaning pastes vary in how they're used, so carefully follow the directions for the one you choose.
Don't use coarse powders or abrasive cleaning pads on sterling silver. These scratch the silver and dull its shine.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit teghiera image by francesco fontana from Fotolia.com
