Next weekend is the Run for the Roses — the perfect excuse for an afternoon-turned-evening of partying in your best pastels, embroidered seersucker pants and of course, beautiful big hats. Though we won’t be heading to Derby ourselves, it has served as the perfect reminder for me to… do a little silver polishing (!). We have a pair of julep cups that need routine maintenance — used more often for flower arranging than consuming the refreshing namesake beverage. This time of year though, they need to be at the ready for containing a cool mix of bourbon, simple syrup, mint and crushed ice (ahhh, springtime).
Silver polishing should really be done at least every six weeks to preserve the shine of your silver or silver-plated wares. I’m guilty of letting this slide (there are always more pressing matters!) but I’m determined to keep ours glistening. It’s really such an easy task — I buffed our pieces back to shining health this morning in under 10 minutes. Using Cape Cod polishing cloths (available online and in practically every hardware store), wipe down the surface of your silver, making sure you get into the grooves or any etching. I had to work a touch harder inside the monogram ‘M’ for the champagne bucket (a favorite wedding present we received). Don’t scrub, especially for silver-plated items. Once your item is completely polished, use a soft cloth, some warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap to gently buff off the polish till it’s shining. Dry the item(s) with an old white cotton t-shirt, and you’re set for your next soiree.
And if you are hosting a preppy party next weekend, my hat is off to you! (We’re waiting for our horse race fill in June with the Royal Ascot.) Consider creating a Mint Julep bar for your guests to create their own concoctions to go along with delicious ham biscuits and chocolate bourbon pecan pie while you watch the greatest two minutes in sports.
Voile! And you can see the t-shirt I used to dry it reflected in the bucket. Now where’s the Rosé Perrier-Jouët..?
Post script. My mom found this incredible polishing method where you essentially turn your kitchen sink into a science lab. By using aluminum foil and baking soda, the tarnish melts off before your very eyes. Before my brother’s engagement party this summer, we cleaned my parents’ silver this way and it worked like a charm. If you have a lot to polish, then this might be the method for you! And let me know how wonderfully it livens up your favorite pieces x
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