How to Resurrect Silver Flatware

Restore old flatware with washing soda.

Whether you've purchased an older set of silver flatware or have improperly taken care of your own flatware over the years, you sometimes find yourself in a place where you want to restore the flatware and bring it back to life. To get the silver back into a useable condition, clean with ingredients that safely polish and clean the silver without causing any type of damage or deterioration.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum foil
• Plastic basin
• Water
• Washing soda
• Cleaning rags
• Tongs

Instructions

1. Line the base of a plastic basin with a large sheet of aluminum foil, lining the entire bottom of the basin and keeping the shiny side of the foil facing upward.

2. Mix 1/2 cup washing soda and 1 gallon hot water in a pan. Turn on the stove burner and bring the water to a boil.

3. Fill the basin with the washing soda and hot water mixture.

4. Drop the flatware gently into the boiling water so each piece of flatware is touching the foil somewhere.

5. Allow the flatware to sit in the boiling water for about 15 minutes.

6. Remove the silver one piece at a time with a pair of tongs. Rinse the flatware with hot water, and buff dry with a clean rag.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Homemade Silver Polish