Cleaning Salt and Pepper Shakers

[Judy Jordan]

I tried to search to see if someone had already posted on this but could not find it... hope it isn't a repeat! I have a pair of salt and pepper shakers that I got in a box lot. I was trying to clean the metal on the shakers and I wonder if I have ruined them. Can anyone offer any advice on how to clean the metal parts of older shakers? Thanks, Judy

I attached photos -- would not let me "drag" them in...

[vicki hufstetler]

Most old shakers have silver plated tops and or bases. It is ok to clean silver - one of few metals that can be cleaned. If it were brass, copper etc. you could ruin them.

The best way, I have found to clean silver plate is using a good metal polish. I like simichrome and maas - maas is the better one for silver plate.

You can find it online, and some stores carry it - some hardware and oddly Motorcycle shops - because they use these products to clean chrome to. Hope that helps!