Cleaning silver

I love silver and have been collecting it for decades.  Hong Kong's weather is brutal on silver, quickly reducing its lustre to a blackened mess.

When I tested this method of cleaning silver, it was a revelation!  

Here's the method : 

Fill a saucepan lined with aluminium foil. 

Heat the water to a rolling boil.  

Once the water is ready, using tongs or a large slotted spoon, place the silver in, taking care not to splash yourself.  

Throw over a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. 

It will fizz and then subside in a few seconds.   

Once the water has subsided, remove silver carefully, taking care again not to splash the boiling water. Buff gently with a soft cloth.  Et voila!   

Here's the silver prior to cleaning.  

Here's the silver after!!

Lovely and shiny! Cleaned without chemicals. This method is perfect for small fiddly pieces like this. Large pieces can also be done,  you just need a bigger pan.