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Salvaging Old Flatware–How To Remove Tarnish from Antique Silverplate

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Old flatware pieces have become a recent obsession of mine.

remove tarnish

I’m not quite sure where it came from, but I have a deep desire to buy these old, tarnished forks, spoons, and knives whenever I see them at a market.  I feel like it’s my duty to save them from the scrap yard.

I like the variety of these older pieces, as well as thinking through the stories from all of the meals they have seen.  It would be lovely to have a collected set of vintage flatware.

In order to make these pieces usable again though, they need some serious cleaning.  Most of the time, I’ve found that pieces can be brought back to life with a very simple cleaning.

remove tarnish

And even the most tarnished of pieces, with rust and oxidized spots, can be made beautiful again.

remove tarnish

Here is the best method I have found to remove tarnish, and restore the shine of old flatware.  For full disclosure, it’s not purely my own method, but adapted from many other sources online I have read and tried.

I promise it’s really very easy though, and uses common products that you already have lying around your house.

How to Remove Tarnish from Old Silverware

It starts with a pyrex dish lined with aluminum foil.

Add to the foil roughly a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of salt, and a half-cup white vinegar (watch out, it will foam up!).

MIx up the solution slightly, then place your flatware pieces in a single layer in the dish.

How to Remove Tarnish from Old Silverplate

Pour on top of them enough boiling water to cover every piece.  Allow the pieces to sit for at least a minute, while the chemical reaction from the foil, soda, and vinegar goes to work.

After they soak, remove the pieces one at a time (probably using some tongs, you are dealing with boiling water here!) and scrub each piece with very fine steel wool.

remove tarnish

It’s amazing . . . the tarnish just wipes right off.  For the rougher pieces that have rust or oxidization, you will have to scrub a little harder and a little longer.

How to Remove Tarnish from old Silerware

See?  Minimal effort for a great, shiny, reward.

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Some of these pieces I took up to my space to sell, some of them I’m keeping to start my own collection. I am especially fond of any that have monogramming.

So the next time you spot a box of old flatware at a flea market, don’t just leave it for the junk pile.  It can be salvaged!

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Joyce Vest

Tuesday 27th of August 2024

I tried your method today with mixed results. Then I added an additional and took a tooth brush and Colgate and cleaned them again. Added that little extra clean to those stubborn spots!

LOUISE WALLACE

Tuesday 20th of June 2023

...sounds like im on the right track with vinegar!...i actually started with a small butterknife that has (i think) the old "bone?" handle...like my nan's used to have growing up in England in 60s...they werent wealthy families so i think those were the poorer persons cutlery!?...but still prettier than the cheap stainless stuff today!! ...i actually soaked it in a waterbottle full of seawater...having just read that method for " recharging" quartz crystals!!....it actually took off all the major surface grunge...just needs a scrub to remove some rust...cus i actually found it UNDER an old 1830s house that we are renovating!!...thats where ive found most of the trinkets i have collected in last 40yrs!!...this one was stamped "Sheffield stainless"...so i dont think its as old as the large "dessertspoon" that says "silverplated"...i havent cleaned that one yet...found it in the walls during the tearout stage!!...but i will def try your easy method!!...i was planning to use "HP SAUCE" ...soaking in a bowl....cus thats how my uncle taught us to cleanup old coins when i was a kid...its prob the acidic tomatoes & vinegar that does the trick..ok for smaller pieces...but would be much more expensive than your "ingredients" in this day & age!!...plus a waste of my fave HP FRUITY SAUCE that i have on my cheesy-scrambled eggs!!

Katie

Wednesday 18th of January 2023

I did this to my old Oneida set and they look almost new! It was really an incredible transformation. Thank you for the awesome tip.

Melanie Alexander

Thursday 19th of January 2023

You're welcome! Glad it helped :)

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai

Thursday 5th of February 2015

These are great tips! I know I have some old silver that could sure use the help. We'd love to have you come share your blog posts at the Home Matters Linky Party! Come for a visit, the Door OPENS Friday. http://lifewithlorelai.com/ :)

~Lorelai Life With Lorelai

Jackie B

Thursday 5th of February 2015

I found a complete set of old silver plate with our initial for only $10.00! We have been using it for the past couple of years as our everyday flatware. It makes breakfast seem so special!