Hi Guys!
I want to share how I get sparkly silver quick and easy with you today.
(you know I like “easy“)
When I was down in California on vacation I found this sweet little Reed & Barton Mayflower gravy boat and platter base. It was very tarnished, which I sometimes love… but I like to freshly clean new silver that I bring into my home.
So, I grabbed my go-to silver saver.
Tarn-X.
Love this stuff. I actually got this at a tag sale for 75 cents. Super bargain!
You can see the Tarn-X liquid start in on the tarnish, without even touching it!
I had not even started to rub yet. I gently dripped it on the gravy boat, and let the excess flow into the platter. Then I grabbed a few paper towels and rubbed it across the rest of the surface. I use those, because they doesn’t soak up all the product and I can toss them when I’m done. After everything is all perfect and shiny, I wash with soap and dry.
The Reed & Barton Mayflower piece was $6.00 – It’s silver plate.
But that matters not to me, it could be solid silver and I wouldn’t like it any better.
It’s looking pretty now. The silver coloring is just so soft, and mellow. Love the richness and depth.
So, next time you see some silver that needs some love, remember it’s easy to make it look like “new” again. You know, if you’re into the shiny, sparkly silver look.
Thanks for stopping by!!!!
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i’ve got a better one for you to share: put some aluminium foil in a glass bowl. Then add 1/2 cup of salt and boiling water to cover the thing you want to clean. put it in the water and magic! it gets clean. it works for silver only. then wash and dry.
Tarnx does work really well. It is super high in chemicals though. Many in the jewelry business including myself try and avoid it for the most part. Trust me goldsmiths deal with a lot of unfun chemicals. This stuff should not be breathed in. terrible for the respitory system. Please use a mask when using! Use it sparingly only on tough items. It does remove the tarnish but it also will remove some of the silver too. Overtime you may develop pitting with too much use. It also is not safe for many gemstones and pearls. So for Darlene that asked above about jewelry, be careful. Good old baking soda made into a paste is all I use for polishing silver. Maybe a toothbrush for though to get in spots. Toothbrushes are gentle enough and won’t scratch the silver.
Hi Katie! I guess that is why it’s so stinky then? lol.
Thanks for including the info about gems and pearls!! I know pearls are very fragile. Is it okay to clean just straight Silver jewelry though? If it’s not done very frequently. I will give the backing soda a try, but I must say… the lazy in me likes the magic of Tarn-X. Oh, and I am totally not being paid to say that!
I love Tarn-X! Pretty little piece too! xo, Claire
Have you had any problems with the paper towels scratching your silver?
No, not that I know of… they are pretty soft paper towels. I must say though, I only have thrift store stuff, so I might not notice? My peices are usually well loved by the time I get them (:
I was introduced to Never Dull at an antique show a couple of years ago and love it. It’s kinda like cotton and you tear off small pieces as needed. It works like a charm and has no odor. I love newly polished silver.
Oh, that sounds interesting!! Yes, Tarn-X is a wee bit stinky. lol.
The silver is so beautiful…I used to use Tarn-X, but got away from it somehow..I need to get some as I cannot believe how great the tarnish melted away!…gorgeous piece!!
I forgot to add it’s stinky, but I don’t care… that stuff is magic! (:
That’s my “go to” as well, Shannon … just wish it didn’t *smeeel* so badly! P.U.! Your pieces look ah-mazing, especially popping against your chalkboard!
does this work on necklaces and rings and other silver *stuff*? i neeeed it …
You know, I can’t imagine it wouldn’t? I’ve never tried though. So far, I’ve only used it on housewares.
My go to as well. Pretty little gravy boat Shannon.
Hugs, Gee