The thing that we love most about antiques is the unusual designs that have been engraved or painted onto them. It is also the old and ancient feeling and look that they have about them. Unfortunately that look is sometimes all too real and caused by not only age but the lack of care.
Like with anything that we own we need to clean these every few weeks. Without the proper care our silver antiques will become worthless and they will look the part. Learn the best way to keep them clean and to help prevent the build up of dust and dirt.
The first thing you need to do is to remove the antique silver that you have and place it all on the table or counter top in the kitchen. Fill the sink up with warm water and pour in mild dish detergent. Wash all of the pieces in the water and carefully clean them with a soft cloth. Place them on the counter – not the sink – and dry them off with a soft and clean cloth.
Over time it is not uncommon for silver items to look a bit grimy. The best way to fix this is to polish them. You can purchase special polish or you can make your own. Combine one part of denatured alcohol or clear ammonia and three parts fine whiting powder.
Use an old flannel t-shirt or soft chamois cloth and dampen it slightly. Now dip the cloth into the polish you made and gently rub it onto the silver plate in straight and even strokes. You should not rub in a circular motion or crosswise.
Make sure that the polish is applied all over the whole thing until it looks clean and will shine again. If the antique has nooks and crevices than you should use a cotton swab to reach it.
When you are done polishing you will place the antique plate in warm, soapy water. Wash it gently until all of the polish is gone. Rinse, dry, and place it back inside of your cabinet.