posted 07-10-2006 01:19 PM            

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The Practical Housekeeper
and
Cyclopedia of Domestic Economy
adapted to all classes of society,
and comprising
subjects connected with the interests of every family;
such as
Domestic Education, Houses, Furniture, Duties of Mistress, Duties of Domestic, the Storeroom, Marketing, Table and Attendance, Care and Training Of Children, Care Of the Sick, Preparation Of food for Children and Invalids, Preservation Of Health, Domestic Medicine, the Art Of Cookery, Perfumery, The Toilet, Cosmetics,
and
Five thousand practical receipts and maxims.
From the best English, French, German and American sources.
Illustrated with
Over two hundred engravings.
Edited by
Mrs. Florence K. Stanton.
Author of the "Perfect Home," etc., etc.
Published by Keeler-Raleigh Co.
Philadelphia, PA,
1901

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To clean Silver. — Dissolve two teaspoonfuls of powdered alum in a quart of moderately strong lye, stir in a gill of soft soap, and remove the scum or dross that may rise to the surface. After washing the silver in hot water, take a sponge and cover every article with this mixture. Let the things rest about a quarter of an hour, frequently turning them. Next wash them off in warm soap-suds, and wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Afterward brighten them with rouge powder, or with whiting and spirits of wine.

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posted 07-15-2006 03:55 PM            

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[<gone from the internet> home-safe-home.org/pdf/polish.pdf]
Polishing Silver and Copper Alloy Objects
“Caring For Your Family Treasures”
J. Reilly and D. Long, Ford Conservation Center, Spring 2000

.........In some cases, light tarnish can be removed simply by washing with warm water and mild detergent. If polishing is necessary, mix a small amount of precipitated calcium carbonate and mild detergent solution together in a shallow dish. Do not substitute ground chalk or whiting for the precipitated calcium carbonate-they are abrasive and will scratch the object’s surface. The mixture should be approximately the consistency of cream.

Apply a small amount of the calcium carbonate mixture to the object with a small piece of clean flannel or a wad of loose cotton, rubbing gently in a circular motion. Replace the cotton or flannel often as you work so that you are not merely grinding the removed tarnish and used calcium carbonate back into the surface. It takes very little calcium carbonate to polish an object—a common mistake is to use too much.

Once polishing has been completed, remove residues by rinsing the surface with cotton dipped in clean water. Dry the object thoroughly by wiping with a clean, dry, piece of flannel.

Material Sources:

• Unbleached cotton flannel is available from fabric stores.
  
• Orvus WA Paste® detergent can be purchased from a veterinary supply house or a farm store.
  
• Precipitated calcium carbonate is available from conservation suppliers like Conservation Support Systems and Talas.
  
• Distilled or deionized water can be found at hardware and grocery stores.

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