Wash and Dry Silver

• 1). Rinse food off silver as soon as possible after using. Remove unused salt and pepper from silver shakers.
  
  
• 2). Line a clean sink with a towel.
  
  
• 3). Hand-wash silver, using warm water and dish soap.
  
  

Polish Mildly Tarnished Silver

• 1). Apply silver polish, if using, to a soft towel, following the directions on the packaging.
  
  
• 2). Rub polish into silver or wipe a silver polish cloth over the tarnished items. Don't scrub and do use straight strokes as much as possible.
  
  
• 3). Rinse or wipe off polish, if using, according to the directions on the polish.
  
  
• 4). Buff with a soft cloth if silver needs a high shine.
  
  

Dip Very Tarnished Silver

• 1). Heat a gallon of water until it is steaming.
  
  
• 2). Line the bottom of a clean sink with aluminum foil.
  
  
• 3). Pour the steaming water into the sink.
  
  
• 4). Add and dissolve the baking soda.
  
  
• 5). Lay the silver items upon the foil.
  
  
• 6). Soak until items are tarnish free.
  
  
• 7). Dry all items completely.
  
  

Store Silver

• 1). Place silver in silversmith bags or wrap in silversmith cloths. These are available at jewelry stores, some department stores and some hardware stores, among other places.
  
  
• 2). Place silver in a wooden chest, vacuum bags or plastic bags. Don't allow silver to touch the plastic bags.
  
  
• 3). Place camphor in chest or bag, not allowing it to touch the silver.
  
  
• 4). Seal plastic bags until only a straw-sized opening remains.
  
  
• 5). Press out as much air as possible.
  
  
• 6). Use a straw to suck out the remaining air and seal the bag.