Well here it is all polished and ready to go back.
This is the cup I won last year for getting the most points in the Horticulture Section of the Llanrwst Show. It's lived on the shelves in the conservatory since then with the occasional flick of a duster and wipe with a damp cloth. So it was time to get it off the shelf and give it a bit of tender loving care.
I polished it up using the easy, peasy cheaty method of hot water, Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda), tin foil and a deep bowl, and as you can see it's come up a treat. Some parts of it are very brassy coloured, where the silver plating has rubbed off mostly the top where it has had years and years of polishing, hence my not wanting to rub it with anything at all. Although what looks like a huge brass patch on the front is merely the reflection in the now highly shiny silver of our wooden worktop!!
Here's a little Link to show you simply how to do it. I used a washing up bowl half full of water straight off the boil from the electric kettle. The part of your silver that is touching the foil cleans up really quickly so make sure you turn your pieces over until they are shiny on all sides and then dry with a soft cloth. I've cleaned silver and silver plate this way for years, it saves the excessive rubbing, and subsequent loss of silver though regular cleaning with polish and elbow grease and it works every time.
I doubt this will be coming home with me this year as I am entering a lot less classes this time, but I have my fingers firmly crossed for a First and maybe a couple of Seconds :-)
Sue xx
