Start Using Your Silverware

I had been looking for a large tray to place on my ottoman in my den, for serving some snacks and drinks. Then, I remembered that I had all these silverware - serve-ware pieces - that had been stashed away for many years, which I had only used on several, special occasions years ago. 

Silverware always took time to polish in preparation for their use, and this was what discouraged me from using them more. Then, all of a sudden, I had this idea of how to polish them almost effortless - I would try and use the same cleaning technique that I use for my soiled pots and pans and the shower tub.

These pictures represent the condition of some of my tarnished silverware pieces.

 My cleaning agents are just distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Here are the steps I took:

 1. Sprinkle baking soda on the silver piece and spray some vinegar on it.

 2. In circular fashion, while wearing rubber gloves, massage by hand over the tarnished marks, then rinse with tap water.

3. Wipe dry with a paper towel.

 Here is one sparkling round tray!

Sometimes, when parts of a silverware have been exposed to the air over a long period of time, in this case about 25 years, there is oxidation that causes tarnished marks that can be hard to polish. In this case I used my silver cleaner in a bottle. But since they were at the bottom of the tray, it was not that important for me to get it all removed.

One of the most tarnished pieces I showed above was a pitcher. Here it is now, after cleaning it with vinegar and baking soda, along with the large oval tray.

I am so happy with the outcome. I now have a serving tray to use as a hard surface - like a table-tray, over my ottoman and it did not cost me anything. 

After two days, the lip of the pitcher started to tarnish. After a week, the trays are still tarnish-free. I am glad I remembered that I had these things in storage, in the garage. These pieces can surely brighten up a room!
 
It's time to take out all those things we have put away for use only on special occasions, like our silver pieces. Let's make every single day a special occasion!