This silver candlestick shows the benefit of polishing.To restore the beauty of silverware and silver serving pieces, that dull, darkening tarnish needs to go. Here are tips from the pros for removing it:
• Elbow grease is the age-old weapon. Nothing substitutes for good rubbing.
• Never use anything harsh or abrasive on silver. Sterling is a soft metal; it scratches easily.
• Generally steer clear of all-over dips, a quick-fix technique. Dipping removes all tarnish equally, which means you lose the darkening that sets off detail.
• In picking a silver polish, choose the product that can do the needed job in the gentlest, least-abrasive way possible. Important: Read the label and follow those directions.
• If the silver is dusty or grimy from sitting out, wash it with soap and very warm tap water before polishing. Do not immerse pieces with felt bottoms.
• Cover the entire surface of the piece with polish, then let the polish sit on the surface for a minute or two. When the polish is just about dry, rub it off. Then, either buff to a shine, or wash it and dry with a cotton tea towel or similar cloth (check the product directions).
The unpolished candlestick. • Look for the grain of the silver piece and, if you can, stroke in the direction of the grain.
• When washing or cleaning silver, use only very warm tap water -- not boiling water. Boiling water can separate the silver plating from the base metal.
• Never put silver in the dishwasher.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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