Silver flatware and serving pieces: Ready to show or no-go?

People with silver come in two camps: Those who love showing off their serving pieces at holidays, and those who own/have inherited them but don’t want them. Here’s help for both—tips for cleaning your silver, and some options for getting silver out of your home.

“I love using my silver at holidays—it makes my table so elegant!”

Cleaning your silver pieces

• Old-school: Buy a tin or bottle of silver polish (make sure it specifies “for silver” and use it as per the directions). Invaluable.com suggests using store-bought cleaners sparingly on heirlooms, since the chemicals can harm them.
• Light tarnish: Use a silver cleaning cloth with a solution of warm water and a mild detergent. Be sure to dry the silver well.
• Heavy duty—Aluminum foil method: Line a bowl with aluminum foil and add boiling water and  a tablespoon of baking soda and salt, and a ½ cup of white vinegar. Insert your silverware for about 2 minutes, rinse the pieces under cool water, and dry with a soft cloth. (NOTE: DO NOT USE THIS on fragile, antique silver—or if you’re not sure if a piece is real silver. It may damage these pieces.)
• Toothpaste: Not recommended! The grit in the toothpaste can pit your fine silver.

How to minimize tarnish

Use the anti-tarnish cloth pouches you got when you first got your silverware—or buy some online. You can also wrap them in undyed cotton fabric. Plastic wrap used to be recommended but not any more—it can trap moisture.

“I don’t use my silver—what can I do with it?”

Perhaps silverware and serving pieces don’t fit your lifestyle. I believe in having things that bring you joy, whether it’s heirloom silver, jewelry, or any other belonging. If it no longer brings that joy, why not trade it in for something that does? Here are a couple of options:

• Ask around: Maybe your children, nieces, or other relatives would like it. (Chances are, however, that if you don’t want it, the kids won’t either.)
• Sell it: You can get estimates from local places, but be aware that you might not get what you deserve. A part of my service is to consult with you about your silver pieces and help you get a fair price.

Whether you’re a keeper or a seller, it’ll help to know the value of your silver flatware and serving pieces. In either case, call me at 617-304-0174 and I can help.

Wishing you brilliant season’s greetings, Aimee