Discoloured Knife Handles

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 37, 8 March 1940, Page 44

Discoloured Knife Handles

Dear Aunt Daisy, I wonder if you would mind telling me how to clean the handles of some fish knives and forks. They were a wedding present to mother in 1899 and as they came in a very good box and the silver is obviously of the best quality, I think ‘the handles would probably be of ivoryunless you happen to know that pure ivory is not usually used for such things, However, as they have been shut up for a long time and are very seldom used they have discoloured in the same way as piano keys, Mother is giving them to me for a present when I am married and naturally I want to remove the discoloration if possible. Would you tell me what to do? We are subscribers to The Listener so I can watch for your reply through there.-" Jalburn." _ I don’t think you will be able to get the handles of your beautiful cutlery quite like new again. Old ivory is always a little yellow, isn’t it? But you will be able to do a good deal with a paste of French chalk and lemon juice, Leave it 6n for an hour and then wipe off and polish with a silk handkerchief. A paste ‘of cream of tartar and peroxide is also good-or you can use peroxide with the (Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page) French chalk instead of the lemon juice. A little rub with a cloth dampened with peroxide is also good. Another thing yo. could try is ordinary metal polish-a piano tuner told one of our " Daisy Chain" that he found that wonderful for the old ivory piano keys. Nowadays they use a "composition," but the old keys are of ivory. Another good way is to put the knife handles in enough milk to cover them and leave them till the milk is sour, The lactic acid in the milk has a whitening effect. Do let me know what success you have; you may need several applications, of course.