| One year my husband and I were given a small | | | | sponge. Never, ever, clean silver with a scouring |
| decorated tree in a silver pot for Christmas. We | | | | pad. |
| enjoyed the tree for months and then it died. The | | | | 6. Monitor your moves. The "Good Housekeeping" |
| next year I decided to use the pot for a | | | | website recommends an up and down motion, |
| Christmas cactus. When I took the pot off the | | | | not a circular motion. Use a small amount of polish |
| shelf it was badly tarnished. | | | | and start in a small area. |
| I started to polish the pot with cream polish and | | | | 7. Clean hard to reach areas with a toothbrush. I |
| realized the silver was coming off. Do not follow | | | | learned this trick from my mother. It works well, |
| my example! Before you polish anything, check to | | | | but you have to use a soft bristle brush or baby's |
| see if the piece is sterling silver or plated. Follow | | | | toothbrush. Cotton swabs may also work. |
| these other tips, too. | | | | 8. Be gentle with soap. After you have cleaned an |
| 1. Select the polish. According to the Silver | | | | item, wash it again in warm, soapy water. Abe |
| Cleaning website, you should buy the best liquid or | | | | Silverman, who owns an antique silver shop and |
| cream polish you can find. "A polish or cream that | | | | has his own website, recommends Ivory liquid. |
| has been around for a while will probably be the | | | | "Remove all traces of the silver polishing agent |
| most reliable," notes the site. | | | | and rinse completely," he advises. Do not use |
| 2. Follow the instructions. Sometimes we are in | | | | harsh detergent. |
| such a hurry we start a job without reading the | | | | 9. Store properly. Flatware should be stored in a |
| instructions. Read every word of the instructions | | | | wooden box with dividers. Our silver chest was |
| and follow them. | | | | given to us for a wedding present. Though the |
| 3. Prewash items. Washing items beforehand | | | | top is scratched, the felt-lined compartments are |
| removes dust and, in some instances, bits of | | | | in excellent condition, and protect knives, forks, |
| food. Dry the items well before you clean them. I | | | | and spoons. Larger items should be stored in bags |
| use flour sack dish towels for this job. | | | | made for this purpose. |
| 4. Protect the counter with newspaper. Polish is | | | | 10. Clean silver regularly. Experts say you should |
| messy stuff, so set the items on newspaper and | | | | clean silver every six months. Extremely tarnished |
| clean them there. Keep extra paper close by in | | | | items will need several cleanings. |
| case you need it. | | | | Don't hide your silver in the back of a cupboard. |
| 5. Use a soft cloth. "Clean Silver Flatware: | | | | Take it out and enjoy it. Family pieces will bring |
| Traditional and Homemade Methods," an article on | | | | back memories of past celebrations. New pieces |
| the "Good Housekeeping" website, recommends | | | | -- a candy dish, a bell, a box -- can add to new |
| thick, soft cloths for cleaning. You may also use a | | | | traditions. |