Being handed down a family heirloom is a touching gesture: Whether you’re accepting your grandma’s beloved engagement ring or your father’s well-worn toolbox, these objects mean so much more because of where they came from.
But if you’re like Katie, you may have ended up with some antique items that need a bit of regular upkeep to keep on glistening — namely, silver.
Recently, Katie rediscovered some very gorgeous sterling in the depths of her basement. Of course, given that the silverware hadn’t been used in a while, the items were pretty tarnished. And if you’ve ever dealt with tarnished metal, you know that cleaning things up requires not just a bit of elbow grease, but a technique that actually works.
Here’s what Katie tried: She lined a bowl with aluminum foil; filled it with hot water, baking soda, and salt; then submerged her tarnished valuables into the concoction. How did they fare? Check out her video below to see for yourself:
Ever the intrepid reporter, Katie didn’t stop there. She also sourced more advice from one of her best resources: her Instagram followers. Here’s a look at some of the extra context she gleaned from those wise respondents.
@kathysuhut: “I usually do it right in a pot with the water slightly boiling — it works so well! Then I use a polishing cloth.”
@katrins29: “You have to brush and the rest of the tarnish will come off — use a soft wrap or towel.”
@amybmyers: “I use a metal bowl lined with foil with a lot of baking soda. No salt. The effects are amazing and immediate.”
@andersenkat3: “I think adding a healthy layer of baking soda on top of tinfoil will work!”
@cagney_melissa: “I always use toothpaste. But it has to be paste, not gel.”
@cspolski23: “Put the dry baking soda in the tin foil in a bowl with the silver. Then pour the boiling water all over it — it will bubble and fizz!”
@abbexo: “Plated vs. solid silver may make a difference.”
@stellabelladayspopandmom: “If the pieces are silver plate and not sterling silver, they may not totally shine up, because they needs to be re-silvered. At least that’s what my mother told me years ago. Trying a good quality polish might help.”
Do you have a foolproof technique for polishing tarnished silver? Drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com.
