I have not tried this, but looked up alternatives to silver polish on Google since I just opened the drawer to get the silverware out for tomorrow's dinner and it looks like heck. :) The toothpaste works, but it seems kind of expensive. OK in a pinch I guess.

Everyone who's celebrating have a good dinner tomorrow!

Boil 2 to 3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for 2 to 3 more minutes. Wipe away tarnish. Repeat if necessary. (Do not use this method on antique silver knives. The blade will separate from the handle.) Another alternative is to use nonabrasive toothpaste.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), November 21, 2001

Answers

You want to avoid using this dip-it method on anything that is deliberately "antiqued" (the black stuff in the crevices of an item) like jewelry and so forth. Toothpaste is better.

Another hint, if you wash your good silver flatware in the dishwasher, don't wash it with the stainless flatware or utensils. Some kind of chemical reaction makes the silver tarnish, I understand.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 21, 2001.