From furniture to dishware, maintenance is crucial to the longevity of any antique item. Each item needs different care, sunlight, the types of cleaning products used, and the types of storage containers must be considered.. Because so many auctions on Proxibid include antiques,  we are sharing common household items that can shine your favorite antiques.

Polish your silver, brass, and gold antiques in interesting ways with everyday households items.

*For the best results, make sure to let the item soak and rinse well  before storing or wearing said item.*

Ketchup

Did you know ketchup can clean brass, antique silver, and gold? First, rub the ketchup all over the item you’re looking to clean. Then, let it soak for a few minutes and wash off with a damp paper towel or sponge. For extra cleaning strength, add a small amount of  Worcestershire to the damp towel or sponge.

Coca cola

Is your antique jewelry  looking a little dull? Gold and silver jewelry, as well as any jewelry with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies can be cleaned at home- all you need is a can of soda.  

The Today show poured some Coca-Cola into a pot and boiled the soda on medium heat for three to five minutes. The moment the reporter pulled out the jewelry, it looked brand new!

Laundry detergent

It cleans our clothes, so why not our antique silver, gold, or brass possessions?! Fill a bowl with hot water, mix in one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent, and let your items soak for one minute. Remove from  the solution and let air dry.

Lemon lime soda

Another soft drink, another item to polish. It’s simple!  Fill a bowl with lemon-lime soda and let your items soak for one hour. Once the hour is up, rinse the product off and dry it thoroughly.

Hair conditioner

If you are noticing your antique jewelry is becoming tarnished, or if you purchased a tarnished piece, letting the piece soak in conditioner and scrubbing with conditioner instead of soap will do wonders!

Onions

They make you cry and clean your antiques. Do not use raw onions to polish your antiques, instead, boil a pot of water on the stove top and add slices of onion to the boiling water. Let the water cool down before placing your antique in the pot. Let it soak until the item becomes shiny once again.

Vinegar

Another common household item frequently used to clean antiques is vinegar. Mix ½ cup of vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda, and let the item soak for  a few hours. Then, remove the item, rinse it in clear water, and dry.

No need to “spit shine” your valuables. Just add some ketchup or onions to the mix and it’ll do the trick!