- 1). Wash your silver teapot immediately after use. Avoid letting the teapot come into contact with a metal sink as this may scratch the teapot. Line the sink with a towel for protection.
- 2). Fill the sink with warm water. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the water. Avoid using soaps that are lemon scented or that contain phosphates as these can damage the silver.
- 3). Place the teapot into the sink. Wipe down all parts of the teapot with a cloth made of 100 percent cotton. Rinse the teapot with plain water, and dry with a cotton towel.
- 4). Remove the tarnish from the teapot. Line a large pan with aluminum foil.
- 5). Fill the pan with enough water to completely cover the teapot. Add 1 cup of baking soda for every gallon of water used.
- 6). Allow the baking soda to dissolve in the water. Place the pan on the stove.
- 7). Turn the flame on the burner to medium heat. Allow the water to come to a boil.
- 8). Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the water begins to boil. Carefully place the teapot into the pan of water. The teapot should be in direct contact with the foil. The baking soda and water are working to separate the sulfur (tarnish) from the silver and shifting it to the aluminum foil. You will quickly begin to see black or yellow flakes in the pot and the aluminum foil may begin to turn black.
- 9). Move the teapot around in the pan using a pair of tongs. Continue to move it periodically until all of the tarnish has disappeared from the teapot.
- 10
Remove the teapot from the pan using the tongs. Rinse it under plain water to remove any residue. Dry the teapot with a clean cloth to remove any remaining spots. - 11
Use a commercial silver polish once the teapot has been thoroughly cleaned. Apply the polish to a cotton cloth, and rub it into the teapot, using length-wise motions. Avoid rubbing in a circular fashion.
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