The 'After' Photo of my Silver-Cleaning Efforts
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326601)
Rockingham, Australia
November 16, 2016 1:49am CST
I posted recently about some silver I've been cleaning using alfoil, carb soda and hot water. I posted a photo of a candelabra and am pleased to now present you with the 'after' version. 
Hasn't it come up a treat? And, although it looks lovely, I won't be tempted to keep it. I'll be giving to my nephew's son who breeds and shows Merino sheep - just like his great grandfather.
It is a trophy presented to my father at an agricultural show. The inscription reads 'Reserve Champion Ewe, Wallinar Trophy, Wallinar Grazing Col, Broomhill WA Kojonup Show 1972 Won by '. Unfortunately it doesn't have Dad's name on it. It was often left to the recipient to get a trophy engraved so they could take it home with them on the day. Dad didn't bother. And they've spelt 'Broomehill' wrongly which is a shame.
I was able to take it completely apart and ended up with over a dozen small pieces. Luckily I remembered how to put it back together. I'm pleased it has come up so nicely.
Does anyone know the best way to store silver to prevent it tarnishing so quickly?
And now I've posted it it looks like some hasn't become shiny. It's just because those bits are in shadow or whatever.
Hasn't it come up a treat? And, although it looks lovely, I won't be tempted to keep it. I'll be giving to my nephew's son who breeds and shows Merino sheep - just like his great grandfather.
It is a trophy presented to my father at an agricultural show. The inscription reads 'Reserve Champion Ewe, Wallinar Trophy, Wallinar Grazing Col, Broomhill WA Kojonup Show 1972 Won by '. Unfortunately it doesn't have Dad's name on it. It was often left to the recipient to get a trophy engraved so they could take it home with them on the day. Dad didn't bother. And they've spelt 'Broomehill' wrongly which is a shame.
I was able to take it completely apart and ended up with over a dozen small pieces. Luckily I remembered how to put it back together. I'm pleased it has come up so nicely.
Does anyone know the best way to store silver to prevent it tarnishing so quickly?
And now I've posted it it looks like some hasn't become shiny. It's just because those bits are in shadow or whatever.32 people like this
34 responses
@mysimplelot (1347)
• Calcutta, India
17 Nov 16
I think she has done a good job. Silver utensils are very clumsy.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 16
Some of the items I had had gone too far. It is hard to keep on top of some things. These items had been out of sight, out of mind for ages.
@Marilynda1225 (80147)
• United States
16 Nov 16
What a big difference in the before and after photos.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 16
Somehow I have to learn how to put photos up side by side. There's always a challenge ahead isn't there? lol
@Fleura (29274)
• United Kingdom
16 Nov 16
ooh that's amazing! I don't know of any easy way other than keep it wrapped up out of the air, or have it lacquered! Laquer is generally not recommended. Here's a lady showing you the benefit of a ziplock bag
Shows you two ways to store silver and the method resulting in the least tarnish
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
16 Nov 16
Wow what a difference! It looks great!! He is going to be so pleasured with this!
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
17 Nov 16
@JudyEv yes it won't be your worry incentives you give it to him
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
16 Nov 16
I know nothing about preventing tarnish, but you did a beautiful job. I have brass candle holders and tried everything and yet they are still dull.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
16 Nov 16
ack! ya took off 'ts beautiful patina! jest kiddin', i dunno where ya get the idea such don't look shiny?? gal, i needed to don my shades!
what a shame they spelt the name wrong, kinda makes ya wonder, don't 't? reckon that's why yer dad'd not gone to the trouble nor 'xpense to've his name engraved? 'tis wonderful that'cher passin' such to yer nephews son, i hope he treasures 't 'n continues to pass't down the line.
'bout the only way to keep 'em from tarnishin' 'tis to put'em 'n velvet, seal off the air 'n don't touch't, lol.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 16
I need to pass them on before I have to go through all this again. 
And I put 'nephew's son' because I didn't know if the son is a great-nephew or a grand-nephew. I think the former - do you know? Not that it matters but I like to know these things.
And I put 'nephew's son' because I didn't know if the son is a great-nephew or a grand-nephew. I think the former - do you know? Not that it matters but I like to know these things. 2 people like this
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
16 Nov 16
It looks gorgeous now! The best way to preserve it from tarnishing is too keep it from air. I find that the silver I keep in my curio cabinets and hutch don't tarnish as quickly as the silver left out. Silver bags or drawers help, too, but no one can enjoy the silver that way.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
17 Nov 16
Beautiful, as to how to store it I wish I could help. I haven't a clue
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Nov 16
@fishtiger58 Yes, either that or some say a ziplock bag is as good.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
17 Nov 16
@JudyEv Really hmmm so like wrap it up in a big towel or something like that.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3062)
•
16 Nov 16
I think there is some sort of bag you can keep it in that is supposed to prevent tarnishing, but of course using it frequently does that as well, I think. You did a great job on it!
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Nov 16
Don't forget to lock up the silver!
2 people like this
@kevinakash (2084)
• Sri Lanka
20 Nov 16
it is better and seems no problem with it at all
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Nov 16
that is quite the change, and maybe this will help
This week's challenge is to make sure you're storing silver items in your home so they stay as beautiful as possible, with little tarnishing or damage. Here's the steps and instructions for how to do this.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
17 Nov 16
@JudyEv cool, I had hoped it was going to be useful
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Nov 16
@Jessicalynnt I'm reading all the decluttering stuff.
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
16 Nov 16
@JudyEv - Ms Judy - As to the use of aluminum foil, some baking soda, and hot water to take the silver sulfide tarnish from silverware - especially the silver-plated kind where the silver layer is super thin, our science teacher showed that method to us back when I was in about the 9th grade or so in middle school. He explained the chemistry behind the method and told us how the black tarnish (silver sulfide) was taken away and replaced with the re-plating of pure silver in its place. The sulfur from the silver sulfide gets plated onto the aluminum. He did did not use aluminum foil, but he did the whole process in a great big aluminum pot, there being then a scarcity of aluminum foil due to WWII shortages.
Keeping the tarnish from coming back onto the silver can be accomplished by spraying the object with clear plastic spray or otherwise keeping the piece from exposure to sulfide-bearing air in some other manner - even wrapping it in plastic wrap, etc. -Gus-
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
17 Nov 16
@JudyEv - Ms Judy - Our professor did not use any vinegar or other acid. He did add a little bit of regular salt along with the baking soda. Likely, both the vinegar and the salt would do similar things in the solution. I will try some vinegar the next time my bride beats me into doing some silver cleanup for her. -Gus-
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Nov 16
I've found another small cup (trophy) so I'll try toothpaste on that.
@Fleura (29274)
• United Kingdom
16 Nov 16
A quick search has come up with something called 'Renaissance Wax'
Dennis Blaine is the exclusive United States agent / wholesale-distributor for all general markets since 1993 for Picreator Enterprises Ltd. of London, England... by appointment to Her Majesty The Queen .. Supplier of Products for Restoration and Conservat
1 person likes this
