Beautiful silver items need time-to-time cleaning, the methods of which
are determined by the valued and the design of the pattern. - Silver artifacts with carved patterns should be hand polished
with a high quality silver cream or polish. Hand rubbing develops
patina on silver which adds to its beauty.
- Ornamental silver pieces that have been lacquered may be washed
in lukewarm water that removes the lacquer. Silver can be cleaned
using kitchen cupboard ingredients instead of synthetic chemicals-
- For smaller jobs, the best silver polish is white tooth paste.
Dab some on your finger, and rub into the tarnish.
- For bigger pieces, use baking soda and a clean, damp sponge. Make
a paste of baking soda and water. Scoop the paste onto the sponge,
and rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with hot water and polish
dry with a soft, clean cloth.
- For badly tarnished silver, leave the baking soda paste on the silver for an hour or so, before cleaning off with the help of the sponge and hot water.
The silver flatware should be washed in warm sudsy water. Then rinsed well and dried immediately. Do not let hollow handled silverware or hollow ware stand in water as a combination of heat, water, and detergent may loosen soldering. Electrolytic methods of cleaning with aluminum-salt-soda are not recommended for cleaning silver with an oxidized or French gray finish.
If washing both silverware and stainless steel flatware in the dishwasher, do not put in the same basket section or let one metal touch the other, or the silver may be permanently damaged. Do not spill dry dishwasher detergent on flatware; it may cause dark spots.
