8.17.2011

baking soda saved my life...

I admit this is perhaps a bit of an overstatement but it has at least saved my hands.  I was polishing some of the new silver for my shop this weekend (I lead a very glamorous life) and not getting very far.  Look at my poor hands...


Andrew Henry remembered reading something about an all natural "dipping" way to polish silver.  A few internet searches later and voila - we were off to the races.  Meet our cast of characters...




You pour boiling water (very important, not just hot but boiling) into a tub with some baking soda and shiny side up aluminum foil, then submerge your silver. 



We used tongs to move the pieces around and on the heavier pieces we pressed the shiny side of the foil directly on the piece. 


It only takes a few minutes, take the piece out and rinse well, then dry. 


It's amazing.  I'M NOT KIDDING, this totally worked like a charm.  In just a matter of hours, we polished all the silver. 




This would have taken me over a month to do all of it.  Probably only a few weeks or even days for the more dedicated with time on their hands, but me, like a month or so.  I'll have this stuff in my shop in just a matter of days!

Baking soda - who knew?

24 comments:

Bel said...

AMAZING RESULTS! Unbelievable. I wish this works with jewelry!

Belly B :)

MJM said...

Saves your hands, and mine too! Looks great.

YONKS said...

Wonderful post. I too have an etsy shop, my hands very often look like yours, this will save me so much time and skin :-)
THANKS
Dianne
YONKS

Anna@Directions Not Included said...

Need to save this tip. What a great result!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

That is a fantastic hint! I have put all my silver away because of the constant need to polish. Maybe now I can bring it out and show it off again. Thanks!

Maria said...

My first thought was MJM will be THRILLED to know this! :-) Now think of all the other fun stuff you can do together!

designchic said...

A must try for me...thanks for the tip!!

Anonymous said...

You have an amazing collection of silver! The baking soda trick sounds so much more simple and it obviously works like a charm. I am going to try it w/ my jewelry like Belly B suggested in your comments. ox

Stitchfork said...

Shining in no time! You found some beauts under all that tarnish. If you ever feel the need to do more, the door's open...
xo Cathy

La Dolfina said...

My Mom uses this method all the time and loves it!
Your silver looks divine!
Great work you two!!!

Nicole said...

Wow, this is so awesome to know! When my grandma passed away, I spent all morning polishing like 2 pieces of her silver that my mom wanted present at the memorial services.

cailen ascher said...

thanks for the tip! what great results - i'll definitely keep that in mind : )

cheers!
cailen
www.cailenascher.blogspot.com

p.s. i unveiled my new cookbook, vegetables & vodka, on my blog today - and it's FREE to download. hope you enjoy it!

KR said...

I do know of this method but I've never had such good results, I'm thinking the truly boiling water might be the trick!
That silver looks amazing, and it is beautiful! Some lucky buyer is going to be thrilled with it!

Melissa Blake said...

All looks perfect!! :)

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

A million thank yous!!! I have a whole pile of pieces that need this treatment before I sell them. Looks like it works fabulously. Does the foil have to directly touch the silver?

Jillian said...

but look how great the finished product is!!!

Thank you for your sweet comment about our baby girl!

OneCraftyFox said...

This is great! I always use baking soda and vinegar for my silvers :)

How are you doing, darling? I'm desperately trying to keep up my blogging, but life is such a whirl wind right now.

xoxo Diana

PCovi said...

This is groundbreaking news! Wonderful.

Unknown said...

I love love love all of the pretty silver. It is well with the effect.


Wand :)

Tess Kincaid said...

Amazing. I've gotta try this...

pamela said...

i have heard of that trick, but never tried it.
does it work on jewelry?
i heard of putting it in an aluminum pan.

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

WOW! One of the reasons I have put off cleaning my silver was just solved on your post. I am going to put this on my list. I love doing it and also the end results, but this is so terrific!

Mélanie A. said...

Wondreful results . I hate to clean it

Bevburch said...

thanks for the great tip. When we go to Chicago for the holidays I polish my daughter-in-laws silver. Not at the top of her list with little ones. Can't wait to try this. Bev @ the Willows