The easiest way to clean silverware

by | Sep 29, 2015 | Homemaking, Housework, Tips/Hints | 11 comments

I was lucky enough to inherit my grandmother’s silverware (including her bone handled knives) which I absolutely adore. I did have them all on display in a glass topped coffee table but the way my kids run through the house, it was an accident waiting to happen so the coffee table was put in the shed along with the cutlery.
Because I was having a vintage styled wedding, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to dig out the cutlery and give it a good clean. I also recently inherited my (now) mother-in-law’s silverware which was also badly tarnished, as silverware tends to get but with over 100 pieces of cutlery, I didn’t fancy sitting for hours on end polishing it.

I remember my Mum cleaning silverware this way but couldn’t quite remember the quantities so I found the ‘recipe’ on the Apartment Therapy website on how to clean silver with baking soda and aluminium foil.

You could buy those disposable aluminium foil trays but I just dug out a baking dish and lined with aluminium foil. Add 1 cup of boiling water (boiled from the kettle), 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of baking soda (or bicarb soda as it’s also known) and 1 tablespoon of sea salt to the dish and stir. Add the cutlery and make sure it is fully immersed in the solution.


You’ll see the tarnish disappear before your eyes. It’s that simple. Some pieces might need a bit longer soaking or you might need to top up with hot water, vinegar or baking soda to bring back the ‘fizz’. I’m no chemist so can’t explain how it works but I just know that it does.

After I submersed all the silverware in this solution, I gave it a good wash in soapy warm water and dried thoroughly.

For my wedding favours (which also acted as place cards), I stuck a small foil wrapped chocolate to a tag and tied that to a knife and fork. It all came up lovely and shiny, ready for the wedding. I also gave a few other pieces a good soaking like cake slices and a silverware egg cup that belonged to my husband’s late father. This is a really good tip to know should you have any silverware needing cleaning and you can do it without any harmful cleaning fluids and everyone should have baking soda and vinegar in their home. Hope you give it a try.

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11 Comments

  1. Sarah
    Sarah on September 29, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    How lovely to have cutlery that's been handed down. I often gravitate towards bone handled knives and forks when I'm looking around antiques markets. xx

  2. Julie's Lifestyle
    Julie's Lifestyle on September 30, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Wow Anne thanks for sharing this great tip on keeping silverware clean.
    I remember when my sisters and I were little cleaning my moms silverware the old fashioned way and it too forever to get clean.
    Thanks for joining us and sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.
    Julie xo

  3. Jessica Pelasky
    Jessica Pelasky on October 1, 2015 at 3:56 am

    This is such a genius idea!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    • Anne
      Anne on October 4, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      Thanks Jessica!

      Anne xx

  4. Sarah Eliza
    Sarah Eliza on October 1, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    How interesting! I used a similar recipe on my silver jewelry, but without the vinegar… Now i'll have to try with the vinegar and compare results!

    • Anne
      Anne on October 4, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      Good luck with it Sarah. I hope you get good results.

      Anne xx

  5. Schulz Family
    Schulz Family on October 3, 2015 at 1:20 am

    I had heard about this. So easy, am going to clean my silverware tomorrow. Thanks Anne

    • Anne
      Anne on October 4, 2015 at 1:20 pm

      No problem Karen. Good luck. So much easier than the old fashioned way.

      Anne xx

  6. April J Harris
    April J Harris on October 6, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Anne, I was so pleased to read that this technique works so effectively. I hate using traditional silver cleaner with all the chemicals it has. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us at Hearth and Soul. I've featured you at this week's hop. Hope to 'see' you there 🙂

  8. Linda Bouffard
    Linda Bouffard on October 7, 2015 at 2:11 am

    I know this works. It will work with salt and vinegar also. Thanks for posting this. Very cool. Linda