You don’t have to be a royal to have sparkling silverware in your home, with royal staffers swearing by one budget-friendly item you can pick up from any supermarket.
Keeping silverware in pristine condition has always been a priority in royal households, where every dining set, serving tray, and ceremonial piece must shine flawlessly.
And while you may assume that royal staffers use specialist silver polish, this would be wrong, as experts at Hyperion Tiles have revealed that bicarbonate of soda is the secret behind the royals’ immaculate silverware.
A spokesperson for Hyperion explained: “We’ve spoken to clients who’ve worked in historic homes and even royal residences, and they’ve shared how bicarbonate of soda is a staple in silver cleaning routines.
“It’s a gentle yet highly effective way to restore silver’s natural shine without relying on expensive polishes or harsh chemicals.”
The royal family’s silverware collection includes centuries-old dining sets, ceremonial cutlery, and ornate serving pieces. Bicarbonate of soda is the perfect cleaning item for antique pieces.
While other abrasive commercial polishes can cause damage when used on older items, bicarbonate of soda cleans silver through a natural chemical reaction that removes tarnish without scrubbing.
This trusted cleaning trick has been used in royal residences for generations, ensuring that every piece remains spotless for grand occasions and official banquets.
Combing the bicarbonate of soda, aluminium foil, and warm water will leave your silverware looking good as new, even if it’s a family heirloom that’s been left to age in the attic.
Hyperion Tiles have shared the exact method used by royal housekeepers to keep silverware looking pristine:
- Start by lining a bowl with aluminium foil, placing the shiny side up, and then fill the bowl with warm water.
- Add one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda per litre of water, stirring until it dissolves.
- Submerge the silverware in the water, ensuring each piece touches the foil. Let this sit for ten to 15 minutes, allowing the tarnish to lift from the silver.
- Remove, rinse under clean water, and dry with a soft cloth for a polished, mirror-like finish.
For particularly stubborn tarnish, the pros recommend making a bicarbonate of soda paste with a few drops of water. Apply gently and rub in circular motions, then rinse and dry.
It’s not just silverware that bicarbonate of soda can leave looking pristine; this cheap natural product can also life stains from porcelain sinks and tiles, polish stainless steel and chrome fittings, freshen up kitchen countertops and fridges, and deodorise carpets and soft furnishings.
