Silverware Shiner? Cleaner? Cloth?

carage · Post by **carage** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 2:13 am

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows of some type of product that is used to wipe silverware and make it shine. My dad is looking for one and I don't really know what he is talking about.

Any ideas?

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 2:27 am

http://www.worldwise.com/silverpolish.html
http://www.mishsilver.com/

Brasso

Twinkle

SILVER POLISH

1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons cream of tartar or
1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice

Mix. Soak tarnished silver overnight. Rinse with cold water, then polish dry.

SILVER POLISH

1 cup soap flakes
1 tablespoon ammonia
1 cup whiting
2 cups boiling water

Mix soap, whiting, and ammonia together in a glass or enamel pan. Pour in boiling water and stir to dissolve. Let solution cool. Store in a one-quart glass jar. To use, wash silver in soap and warm water. DO NOT RINSE. Shake polish and apply to silver with a soft cloth or sponge. Rub gently. Rinse silver pieces in clear, warm water, buff, then dry.

carage · Post by **carage** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 2:46 am

Just wondering is there something that doesn't require mixing?
My dad describes it as something like an oil or liquid to wipe it. Basically my dad is looking for something that makes the forks and knives shinier...

Thanks!!!

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 3:05 am

just curious, but by "silverware" do mean real silverware? or is it flatware? silverware is actually made of silver, and flatware is made of pretty much anything but. if it;s stainless or some other kind of metal, i would just go to your local hardware store and look for a basic metal polish.

if it is actual silverware i would be careful. expensive silverware usually has fancy fillagreed (sp?) handles which tend to develop a nice patina over time.... this will give the silver a nice aged look. IMO, if you polish, polish the flat areas of the spoon (or fork or whatever), but leave the grooves of the fancy fillagreed/sculpted areas on the handle with the patina intact. polishing the flat areas of the handles is OK.... just not the grooves.

just my opinion, of course. i like the look of aged brass and silver. adds to the overall appearance of value.

if your dad just wants really shiny silverware (thereofre the "patina" i refer to would be called "tarnish"), then there should be something at your local hardware store for this (if you are looking for something you dont have to mix).... they are usually pastes used with a soft cloth. not sure if Brasso will work, but it wouldn;t hurt to check the label. as a matter of fact, i think i recall the Oxyclean guy on some TV infomercial showing how well it removed tarnish from silverware and such.

carage · Post by **carage** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 3:40 am

Thanks to everyone...
I bought a bottle of Goddard's Silver Polish from Bartell's...
http://www.goddards.com/html/productOrd ... tem=707184
I wonder if this is what my dad wants...
Exactly what are forks and spoons made of anyway?
Should I get the copper and brass polish just in case?

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 3:51 am

forks, spoons, knives, etc. can be made out of pretty much anything. the most common being stainless steel.

usually on the utensil, there will be a stamp saying what it is.... if it says "sterling" then it;s made of silver. if it says ""steel" or "stainless steel", then thats what it is. brass, copper and other metals aren;t always marked.

is it silver colored? or is it a gold color? if it;s silver colored, then it's most likeley silver, stainless steel, chrome plated or nickel plated steel. if it;s gold colored, then it;s probably gold plated, brass or copper..... brass and copper being the least likely.

whether you got the right polishing compound or not depends on what your silverware/flatware is made of.

binksfan · Post by **binksfan** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 7:37 am

If the stuff your Dad's cleaning is Silver, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Copper etc., then this stuff work great. Just dip it in and then rinse. Called 'Tarn-X'... most large janitorial supply houses have it.

http://www.4essays.com/shopping/housewares/tarn-x.htm

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 10:07 am

After you get the silver polished, locate some "Pacific Cloth" to store the silver in to prevent it from tarnishing...

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:17 am

I've heard something called "hydrochloric acid" can also eliminate a lot the work and time needed to polish silverware...

poptom · Post by **poptom** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:35 am

Liquid polish is easier than paste. The Goddards you got should work just fine. I use Haggerty's myself but I think they're much the same.

Wipe it on and give it a couple of minutes to work, then polish gently with a soft cloth. No pressure. Use only flannel like old pajamas or shirts . A soft toothbrush will get into crevices.