Cleaning Your Silver

There’s no denying your silver jewelry, dishes and cutlery will naturally tarnish over time. No matter how well you take care of your silver, it’ll always require upkeep to maintain its original shine. Polishing is abrasive, so it’s best to limit the cleaning to a minimum, anywhere from two to six times a year.

If you have a silver polish, you’ll start by putting a small amount on a clean cloth and dampen if necessary. Rub and polish in an up-and-down motion, not circular to avoid fine scratches. Turn the cloth frequently as you don’t want to deposit the tarnish back onto the item. Rinse in warm water and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

If you’re out of the silver polish you can also try these homemade cleaners

• If the silver is dull and not yet discolored, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water and dip in a soft cloth. Rub then rinse in cool water and buff until dry.
• For heavily tarnished silver, mix a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Wet the silver and apply the cleaner with a soft, lint-free cloth. Work it into the smaller crevices, turning the cloth as it gets gray. Rinse and buff dry.

Source: Good Housekeeping