My mother passed along this tip -- which my sister pointed out was actually her tip after reading this post -- when she spotted my tarnished silver champagne flutes …

For reasons that escape me, this method of polishing silver has attracted its fair share of controversy online.  Turns out, some people don’t want their sterling quite so polished; they prefer some patina and tarnish in the detail work.  Me.  I like things shiny.  I grew up in Jersey after all.

All you need is baking soda, tin foil, a non-metallic bowl or container, and boiling hot water.

Oh, and your piece must be sterling.  This doesn’t work on silver plate.

Line your non-metallic container with tin foil, shiny side up.  Put your sterling piece(s) in and sprinkle with about a cup of baking soda.

Fill the container with boiling water, covering the silver. You'll hear, smell and see an immediate reaction -- as long as your silver pieces are in direct contact with the foil.

I left my champagne flute in the water until it cooled, washed with dish detergent, and put it back up for display. 

No scrubbing, polishing or elbow grease required. That’s my kind of cleaning job.

Linda is a wife, mother, Chicago homeowner … and creator and author of it all started with paint blog.  You can find her on Facebook here … and follow her on Twitter here …