Everyday Silver

I have always been a garage sale shopper - even when it wasn't cool.  My family never had much money growing up and garage sales were just how we acquired many of the things we needed and wanted.

As an adult, I still prefer to shop 2nd hand to supply things for my family.  It seems crazy to me to spend so much on clothing, kitchen items, toys, etc. when you can find these items in almost perfect condition at garage sales.

Can anyone tell me about these little bowls?  

They are not really silver.  Are they sugar bowls?

A great example of this is silver.  Silver, or silverplate in most cases, can be purchased at yard sales for nickels, dimes, and quarters.  It is almost always quite tarnished, often engraved (who cares if the monogram is not yours - people might thinks it was passed down on your mother's side), probably handed down, and something the owner does not wish to mess with.  Since it looks so bad, the price is usually very inexpensive.

This is a larger version.  When were they popular?

As my daughter was growing up, I would see a pretty piece at a sale for next to nothing and pick it up - thinking we would use it for entertaining at her wedding and other events.  Well.......brides have minds of their own....... and all that old silver did not fit the plan.

And another.  Where did they come from?

It's OK, though, because as I collected pieces I just put them to use.  I use silver to water plants, hold soap, contain my makeup and jewelry - really anything that one would need a container for.  I also love to loan it to my friends when they are in need of silver service.

I'm sure you're thinking, yeah, but you have to keep it polished - who has time for that?

I have found some ways to keep up with that and it really takes no more time than if you were cleaning any other container.

Can you see the damage caused by the foil baking soda method?

The first step, or worst step I should say, is when I first bring the silver home all tarnished and dark.  This is what requires the most effort.  Now, there is a method of cleaning silver going around on blogs and pinterest that I highly do not recommend.  It is where you fill a sink or pan with hot water, line it with foil, and pour baking soda into the water. This method is too harsh and will remove silver from your piece.  I have learned the hard way that while the silver comes out very clean and sparkly, it may have spots where the silver has been removed.  Bummer!  I would only use this method if you have tried to clean it with silver polish and elbow grease, and there just is no hope for the piece.  Then, what have you got to lose?  You can take a chance since the piece is not going to be silver anyway.  At least it will be very clean so you could then spray paint it, chalkboard it, or glue mosaics to it.

In most cases, however, I find the silver will clean up nicely if I just work at it a bit.  For best results, I use Wrights Silver Polish.  If the piece needs a little scouring action, I sprinkle it with baking soda and continue with the silver polish.  Honestly, I never spend the time to remove all the tarnish - just enough to get it looking mostly clean.  I think the tarnish in all the little grooves adds to its character, anyway.

 

This tray is one that I cannot get all of the tarnish off.

It would be a good candidate to dip,

but it still works great as is!

If it's a teapot or something I'm not going to use for everyday, I wrap it in fabric and stick it in a rubbermaid container in my garage.  The type of fabric you use really does not matter that much, so use linens or remnants you don't need for a while.  This kind of kills two storage birds with one stone!  Just remember where you put that Christmas tablecloth come December.  By wrapping it in fabric, your silver should remain mostly tarnish free until you're ready to use it.  

I rubbed this basket with toothpaste for about 45 seconds.

Can you believe the difference?  So easy.

To keep up with the silver I'm using for everyday, I just squirt a little toothpaste in my hand, wet it the tiniest bit, rub my hands all over the piece, and then rinse. That's it!  You only have to do this once every 3-6 months, and it doesn't take anymore effort than if you were cleaning a glass container with dish soap.  I could use the silver polish to do this, but since I go through seasons of couponing where I collect extra tubes of toothpaste for free, this works great for me.

Not bad for a bunch of castoffs.

One man's junk.......

Silver may not be your thing and I realize it doesn't look good in every decor.  I mainly wanted to write about it to encourage you that if would like to add a little silver to your life, you really can do that inexpensively and without a lot of fuss.  And if anyone ever borrows your silver and returns it with a scratch, Meh - don't worry about it - it only cost you 50 cents.  


Thanks for stopping by,

Ellie


PS- after the silver is dried with a towel, I sometimes buff it with old pantyhose.  It seems to really bring up the shine. 

Parties I Will Be Linking To:

Sunday - The Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table and Dreaming, DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff   

Monday -  Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday - Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife,  

Wednesday - Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, 

Thursday - Open House Party at No Minimalist Here,   Catch As Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

Friday - Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, Weekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and Jello