I'd like to brighten up my smile and there are lots of quirky homemade recipes online that I am not sure of.  
 
Does anyone recommend a solid method for home use that won't destroy the pearlys?  
 

your toothpaste mixed with baking soda and a little hydrogen peroxide. brush with this once daily and you will see results within a week.  

lots and lots of bleech should get those urinals sparkling

Rob said "lots and lots of bleech should get those urinals sparkling "

Pmsl

Since I quit smoking, I wanted to whiten my teeth as well. Don't bother with the whitening toothpastes (any of them) on the market. Tried them all with no results. Then checked into consumer reports and they say they're a laugh (only good for surface stains).  
 
Haven't tried any of the homemade remedies as I'm kinda scared I'd end up screwing up and losing them.  
 
But as the old saying goes: You get what you pay for. I think I may end up going the professional route.

Food grade hydrogen peroxide. I believe you can still get it at hedley's health hut. It is 35% strength and must be dilluted with distilled water. Most professional whiteners are 10%. Mix with baking soda into a paste. It will taste disgusting, but that isthe price of whiter teeth. You can add a drop or two of peppermint extract (grocery store in the baking aisle).  
Make a paste and put into a tooth tray (like the kind you find in home whitening kits). Use for 5-10 minutes  
for 3 times on alternating days. Hydrogen peroxide at this strength bothers some peoples gums. You should notice significant whitening. Also do NOT do this immdiately after brushing your teeth. If your gums are aggrivated it will hurt like a b*+ch.

beans on toast said "your toothpaste mixed with baking soda and a little hydrogen peroxide. brush with this once daily and you will see results within a week.   "

..is the method I've always heard. Not the tastiest apparently, but it does work.  

Baking soda is abrasive so it may remove/scratch the enamel as it polishes off stains, as well as irritate your gums. And peroxide can weaken your enamel over time and can also be irritating to your mouth. Once in a while won't hurt things too much but, aside from scrubbing off stains, these products won't really do too much to whiten your teeth.  
 
Have you tried the OTC whitening kits? If those don't work, using peroxide and baking soda certainly won't work.  
 
There are some new toothpastes out. I have personally been using the new Colgate Vivid White toothpaste and have seen great results. It's in the shiny, red box. It has a lower concentration of the whitening ingredients found in the strips, which I seem to gag on, so the toothpaste is ideal for me.

i'm not sure what your budget is but you could check out Healthy Way Healling as they offer a teeth whitening kit. I believe the first time it is done at their office and then you are able to opurchase at home kits. healthywayhealing.ca I was happy with my results!!