Polishing SilverwareHere's a recipe for cleaning silverware.
Toothpaste for Tarnished MetalI have an evening bag from my late mother. The chain was all tarnished. I was tucking in the chain and using it as a clutch. Someone suggested to use toothpaste and it did a great job. The photo shows the left side done so you can see the difference.
Cleaning Brass, Copper, and PewterHere is an easy way to clean brass, copper, and pewter using common household products.
Clean Stainless Steel with Magic EraserI got this terrific stainless steel whistling tea kettle at the church thrift shop yesterday for $2. It was full of grease and dirt. The black handle had some white residue on it. I figured for $2 I could see how the steel part cleaned up with a soap-filled pad. I assumed the handle would always be stained.
Clean Stainless Steel with ToothpasteThe best way to clean stainless steel refrigerator doors and silver jewelry is toothpaste! Any brand will do, but it has to be the white paste. Use just a little, then wipe clean with Windex.
Brillo Pads for Clean Stainless Steel SinksAfter several years of using harsh agents to clean my stainless steel sinks and destroying my hands in the process I have started using Brillo type soap pads (store brand of course). My hands are getting better and the sinks look fantastic!
Wood Ash for Polishing MetalThis is an old Native American tip: Use fine wood ash to polish either silver or brass. With your fingers or soft cloth rub on the oxidation. When shining nicely wash and dry your jewelry, etc.
Cleaning BBQ Grates with Aluminum FoilDirty BBQ grates? Burnt on food in a pan? Rims on you tires? To clean the messiest grills, pans, and cars tire rims easily, use that aluminum foil you were just about to wad up and toss into the garbage. It works great instead of those scouring pads you are always buying. Get all your money's worth, instead of just part, out of your foil. Put it to work one more time before tossing into the trash.
Use Freezer To Remove Candle WaxThe freezer will usually work. Just freeze the holder for a couple of hours and the wax will become brittle and pop right off. Or we use a heat gun and carefully heat the wax and catch the melted wax with paper towels as it loosens.
Use a Hair Dryer to Clean Wax Off BrassHeat the hard wax on the candelabra with a hair dryer. Then keep mopping up the wax as it melts.
Homemade Silver PolishSilver jewelry that has become tarnished can be cleaned by soaking it for a few minutes in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and then rubbing it with a soft cloth.
Use Hot Water To Clean Candle SticksPut the candle sticks in hot water. When wax softens, peel it off. Do this again if the melting is not complete. Have an old cloth ready to rub the stick while it is still a bit warm. This will take off the final residue.
Cleaning Your SilverIt is always a good idea to wipe your silver off as soon as you are finished with it. For instance, my silver omega chain gets wiped after every use. The oils on your fingers and skin cause silver to tarnish.
Cleaning Candle Wax from BrassStick the brass in the freezer for about 2 hours and the wax will come off super easy.
Polishing SilverIn a small pot (the pot's size depends on what you're cleaning), place water to where it will cover the item being cleaned. Add 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, and a capful of white vinegar.
Cleaning SilverTo clean silver, pour hot water into a mug and add 3 Tbsp. salt (to make an electrolite) and some aluminum foil. Leave items in this to soak a few minutes. Take them out and rinse with clean water, then polish with a clean soft cloth.
Toothpaste For Tarnish On SilverWhy buy expensive jewelry cleaner for my tarnished silver pieces? Now I use white toothpaste with an old used toothbrush.
Keep Silverware From TarnishingTo keep silver jewelry from tarnishing, place jewelry in an airtight container or jewelry box. Toss in those little packets of desiccant that come with new shoes or leather items.
Using Toothpaste for Polishing SilverUse toothpaste (not the gel) to clean and polish silver. Put some on a clean rag and cover the area you want to polish with toothpaste. When dry, buff with soft, clean rag.
Tartaric Acid to Clean Brass, Silver, and CopperTo clean brass, silver, and copper, mix 1 teaspoon tartaric acid with 5 pints of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Stir till tartaric acid dissolves. Use plastic gloves to protect your hands.
Use Salt To Remove RustTo remove rust, try using table salt and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Apply the paste to the rusted area with a dry cloth and rub.
Shining Stainless SteelI would love to have all stainless in my house because it is the easiest to clean. All you really need to do to clean them is use a linen towel and get it wet with hot water, wring it out then fill a spray bottle with hot hot water and add a little bleach.
Clean Aluminum with VinegarRemove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
Homemade Metal Cleanser and PolisherTo clean tarnished brass, copper and pewter, use a paste with equal parts of white vinegar and table salt.
Use Ketchup to Polish BrassUse hot sauce or ketchup to clean brass! Works wonders!
Cleaning Silverplate FlatwareThis is a useful hint for cleaning and re-plating silver cutlery. I got it from an old-fashioned butler. Crumple some clean aluminum foil (about 12 inches length of it) in a washing bowl of warm water with a little washing-up liquid.
Polishing Stainless Steel AppliancesFor 3 years I have been struggling to keep my stainless steel appliances clean. They always have drip marks and finger prints on them. Finally, I found the perfect solution and it is something almost everyone has in their home.
Use Floor Wax to Keep Silver ShinyThis is a great tip on how to keep your silver polished. While visiting the "Juliette Gordon Low" historical mansion in Savannah last month, we found out how they keep all the silver (lots and lots!) looking so beautiful.
Tide and Tinfoil for Polishing MetalThe easiest and most frugal way to shine silver, silver plate and brass is with Tide and tinfoil! Line the bottom of a plastic tub with tinfoil, shine side up, throw in some of the powder detergent and let the silver soak for about 25 minutes. The chemical reaction oxidizes the tarnish and you can wipe it clean!
Dryer Sheets For Shining FaucetsIf you need to clean and shine your bathroom taps in a hurry, grab a soft rinse impregnated sheet, meant for adding to your clothes dryer, and just buff for a great shine.
Keeping Brass and Silver-Plate From Getting TarnishedTo keep brass collectibles or silver-plated picture frames or various what-knots from tarnishing try this: While the item is new and bright colored, spray it with two coats of clear lacquer/shellac. Let it dry completely between coats. . .
Cleaning MetalDo you have metal that needs cleaning, brass boxes, hair clips, ear rings? Try wiping it down with rubbing alcohol.
Polishing ChromeA little white flour sprinkled on a dry rag makes a nice chrome polish. Excellent when you have that little bit left in the bottom of the bag. All your bathroom fixtures will shine, along with car parts.
Characteristics of CopperCopper is valued for strength, malleability, ductility, and ability to conduct electricity and heat. It is also non-magnetic, resists wear, and forms a green patina which makes it resistant to corrosion.
Characteristics of BronzeBronze is copper alloy. In modern times, bronze is an alloy of copper and any metal except zinc. It is generally more expensive than brass and more corrosion resistant.
Removing Water Spots on ChromeTo remove water spots on chrome, use car paste wax. Works great!
Cleaning and Polishing CopperTo polish up copper pots and statues I use lemon and salt. Take the lemon (cut in half) and sprinkle salt on to it. Scrub the bottoms of your pans and they will be like new afterwards.
Characteristics of AluminumAluminum is a light-weight metal with a bright silvery luster. Small amounts of other metals are added to aluminum to make harder alloys for most uses. Its affinity for oxygen makes it resistant to corrosion and attack by most chemicals.
Cleaning Brass with KoolAid!Today on the Happy Garden list, one of our list members,
Nanette, mentioned a way to polish brass she learned from
her husband. Soak them in KoolAid. She tried it and it
worked like a charm.
