I came across these decorative cheese markers that I purchased at Williams & Sonoma and wanted to use them but of course they started to patina and discolor. Usually, most people head out and purchase silver polish (and those aren’t cheap) but I’ve been using different methods of polishing silver over the years. To me an easy DIY project is polishing silver with toothpaste which is by far the most economical and fastest way to brighten up real or faux silver.
I’ve also tried the aluminum foil and boiling water with silver method, using baking soda, shining up silver with lemon and even ketchup! They all work and easy since all these cleaning agents are your everyday house hold items! But let’s get back to our DIY polishing silver project with toothpaste!
Steps are truly as easy as 1-2-3-4-5:
1. Select the Discolored silver item
Identify all your silver items needing a shine
2. Use a toss away toothbrush
Most dollar stores sell toothbrushes (often times 10 pack for a dollar) so they’re perfect for this DIY polishing silver project. Economical if you really need to toss the toothbrush when you’re done, or if you go green, reduce the landfills and save (good choice) the toothbrush for future use.
3. Use toothpaste
Any toothpaste will do–I’ve tried Tom’s of Maine, Colgate or frankly anything on sale. And they all work. It seems toothpaste has a reactive agent that effortlessly cleans your weathered silver. Here you just need a pea size, a little goes a long way and just rinse and brush out the discoloration.
4. Rinse off the toothpaste
Easy, once you start seeing the original silver and unreal shine you’re ready to rinse with cold water and wipe dry
5. Ready to serve cheese with your shiny animal cheese markers
