Polishing the Family Silver, don't you know

[7Days]

Found some old spoons that we think are silver in Mums attic.
They are silvery looking and tarnished and have a stamp on them, so I think that means solid silver?

She thinks they might have been her mothers, put away for 'best' 60 years ago

So if indeed we do have family silver, what's the best way to polish them up and make them fit for the Christmas Table?

Use some Goddards Long Term silver polish, put it on let it dry then buff off. Don't use silver dip. Do not put them in the dishwasher with any stainless steel cutlery as it will make them tarnish. We tend to hand wash but you can put them in there if they're not with stainless steel.

Toothpaste and a soft cloth.

Thank you!
Does it matter if you put them in the fork drawer with the ordinary stainless steel cutlery ?

Silver is a relatively soft metal and prone to scratching. As they've stayed pristine for 60 odd years I wouldn't store them with the everyday cutlery. What a wonderful find.

Yes it's a great find.
Worth sorting through broken buckaroos from the 80's and the like to get to them.

Sad though to think my gran put them away all those years ago.

linerforlife, what is the problem with Silverdip? I use it on my silver plated cutlery as it is such a pain shining the tines on the forks.
I use Maas polish on everything else, expensive but lasts well.

We used to use Duraglit on my Dad's chess trophies. Also, I'd look for a soft jewellery roll or similar to store them n.

@TrickyD could you possibly link me to where you buy your silver dip? We've just inherited some lovely silver cutlery and I remember my mother using Goddard's Silver Dip for her jewellery which only seemed to take about 5 minutes start to finish, but Goddard's only seem to make polishes now and I definitely do not have time in my life for that!

TheLightGetsIn, I have had a look at my jar of dip, and it is not Silver Dip, but HG Silver Fast Shine, smells the same, does the same job. I bought it from a local hardware shop now closed, but having had a bit of a Google, it seems very hard to get hold of online. Most places have discontinued it.

I hope you find some, I will need it too before long.

If you put them in the dishwasher put them separate to the stainless steel ones or they tarnish quicker.
I love polishing silver. It's very satisfying.

The gentlest thing for polishing sliver is the oils on your skin. Just sit and rub it between your fingers. Just like sliver jewellery

I think I'd wear away my fingertips quicker than get these shiny again!

Though a good tip for keeping them maintained once the initial tough job is done