Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Not Just For Teeth

Remember the silver plate candlesticks from my "Saturday Frenzy" post?  I wanted to show you how I spruced them up, but maintained the patina.



This is how they looked before.


Just a little too much patina.  I wanted to clean them up, but not to the point of gleaming.  For those of you who've never tried this, toothpaste works really well.  Especially the kind with the whitening in it.

Just slather it on,



and scrub.




You should also run some water on it, and give it a final foaming scrub, before you wipe it dry.

See the difference?




Much better, but not overboard.  It still has an aged appearance.  You can always repeat, if you want a brighter look.




Go over it a final time with a dry cloth to remove any residue.





I always keep an extra tube or two from the dollar store on hand for quick spruce ups like this.

Sharing With:
Thrifty Decor Chick: Before and After
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
2805: Potpourri Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
These Peas Taste Funny: Link It Up Thursday
Ivy and Elephants

47 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the great idea! I am storing it away!

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  2. Great tip and I love the way they turned out-perfect!

    ~Trisha

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  3. Wow what a difference. They look gorgeous. Lee x

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  4. Thank you so much! I'm going to try this!

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  5. very nice I have scrubbed with many things but not toothpaste. the table they are sitting on is just scrumptious

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  6. I've used toothpaste to clean jewelry before, but hadn't thought or heard of it till now for silver... Looks gorgeous, just the right amount of patina to bring out the detail!

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  7. It looks perfect! and now its minty fresh as well lol.

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  8. So pretty! Love the scrollwork.

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  9. Thanks for sharing such a great tip Rosemary! I'll have to remember this.

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  10. Shut the front door, Rosemary! You're kidding! You are the BEST teacher I've ever had! lol!

    xoxo laurie

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  11. Thanks for such a wonderful tip, Rosemary. xo

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  12. That looks amazing, Rosemary! Such a pretty piece and you really made it look wonderful.

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  13. Thank you for the tip.I did not know this.Hey you learn something new everyday even at my age.I am your newest follower.

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  14. Perfect! This is just the way I like silver. It still shows all the detail without being too shiny and bright. Thanks for the great tip!

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  15. Love those candlesticks. They are fabulous. Never heard of the toothpaste trick before. Thanks.

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  16. What a great tip--thanks for sharing that!

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  17. Now I'm going to be a tootbrushing fool! I can't wait to try this, because I hate the smell and mess of silver polish. These look amazing! Thanks so much for the tip and for linking.
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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  18. I remember hearing my grandmother (in-law) saying this but I never saw it actually done...it really works! Other than brushing teeth the only interesting use of toothpaste here is how my 15 yr old daughter thinks it heals zits. Every night we kiss her green dotted face....now I can say I know TWO things toothpaste can do! LOL Those are the most gorgeous candlesticks! You're always an inspiration Rosemary!
    Lorraine

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  19. Wow thanks for the toothpaste info. I could use this. The candelabra are lovely.
    Carolyn xx

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  20. Wow those are beautiful! And thanks for the toothepaste tip!

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  21. I've never tried toothpaste to clean silver. Beautiful candlesticks! ~ Maureen

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  22. I LOVE them!! Both before and after!! Those are some REALLY sweet finds! Thanks for the toothpaste tip, and sharing! :D

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  23. Of all the blogs I've seen and read, I think yours is MY FAVORITE. You ALWAYS have such good tips, ideas, tutorials and it's always something I love or like to do. I guess you BIG numbers show that everyone else seems to feel the same way. THANKS FOR YOUR BLOG........so inspiring.
    Come visit me sometime at PICKINandPAINTIN.blogspot.com

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  24. Brilliant! I know just the piece to try it out on too! Rosemary, you are such a gift to us crafty folk! Love ya, girlie! xoxo, Leena

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  25. Rosemary I've used toothpaste to clean my jewelery before. The candlesticks look beautiful!

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  26. Great tip, Rosemary! Good to see you at Kane. Keep us in mind on the furniture. xo

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  27. I have a load of silverplate I need to do this with - thanks for the tip and also for the dollar store suggestion. I keep forgetting how valuable that store is!

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  28. Thanks for sharing such a great idea! I've heard of using regular toothpaste to clean your diamonds but never candlesticks. Very cleaver!

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  29. The candlesticks are beautiful! Thanks for the great tip.

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  30. I've used toothpaste on jewelry but never silverplate. Thanks for sharing this tip and what a difference in made on the candlestick. Hugs, Sherry

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  31. What a fabulous tip, Rosemary! Thanks so much for sharing! I will be trying this soon! Silver polish is spendy and it's really hard on my hands! Your candlesticks are gorgeous and I love the lightly polished look...with a little patina left behind!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

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  32. Brilliant as always. I pick up silver trays all the time and keep one in the bathroom which is constantly getting wet. this will help me bunches. hugs, olive

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  33. That's a great tip, I'll try that. I have a tray that needs it. I'm like you I don't want it to gleam.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  34. Rosemary I'm sending you a big smacker *KISS* Lol! That's sheer genius my friend! I'm going to try this (right after I'm done playing catch up here) with that biscuit stand I found. I don't want to erase all it's patina but it's looking pretty dull kwim? Thanks again for the inspiration girlfriend!This was FAA squared *winks* Vanna

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  35. Great tip - and they look so good on that old alligator finish door!
    -Revi

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  36. What a great tip! I know what I'm doing this weekend. :-)
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  37. Amazing!! What a great tip Rosemary!! Love it and love how it turned out! Thanks for linking up! :)

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  38. Been wanting to know how to do this for year. Thanks for sharing!

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  39. I never knew toothpaste would do that! How cool. And your candle holder is to beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.

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  40. Thanks for the tip! I have a lot of my mother's beautiful silver to spruce up... Off to the dollar store I go to get me some toothpaste :)

    Thank you for sharing - and I love your projects! They are so romantic and gentle. Thank you for sharing them :)

    Xx

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  41. Thanks so much for sharing this great tip with us. I tried it and it works like a charm! We are featuring you this week at WIW. Come on by and grab a button!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  42. I am trying this. http://organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com/2012/03/barely-polishing-silver.html

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