The Hit List
These silver pieces will surely impress your guests this festive season, even more so if you keep them in tip-top condition with any of these four affordable, chemical-free cleaning hacks
Hacks to speed-polish your silverware just in time for your next holiday party
BANANA PEEL
Banana, as we know it, is packed full of nutrients, though the valuable benefit of its peel isn’t generally perceived. The truth is banana peel is rich in fruit acids which will trigger a reaction with tarnished silver to remove the grime and deliver the desired shine. Simply rub the inside of a piece of peel over your silver, wash it off and pat it dry with a clean cloth. You will see your precious piece restored to its natural glow.
TOOTHPASTE
It makes sense: if toothpaste can remove dental plaque, surely it can achieve a similarly effective performance on the tarnish that has built up on your silverware. Depending on the size of your silver, apply a dollop of toothpaste or more on a soft toothbrush or cloth and get to work. Scrub the item in a circular motion and let it set for a minute or two. Then rinse and pat dry.
BAKING SODA AND ALUMINIUM FOIL
This is possibly the most popular silver cleaning trick of all. Baking soda being a mandatory protagonist in nearly every cleaning hack, is highly versatile. And it can do amazing wonders to silver too, especially when paired with the unassuming aluminium foil. First, line a heat-safe dish with aluminium foil (with the shiny side facing upward) and lay your silver on it. Next mix some hot water with baking soda before pouring the solution slowly over the pieces until they are completely covered. A short soak in it is sufficient to bring back the glimmer.
LEMON JUICE
The notion is similar to using banana peels. As soon as the acid touches the oxidised surface, its cleaning power is activated. Polishing with a dry, clean cloth will only expedite its cleaning magic.