What's The Best Way To Clean Silver?

Your silverware can be washed by hand or in a dishwasher. (However, using a dishwasher may be hard on pieces with hollow handles, because the heat will loosen them.) Also, rubbing and drying fine silverware by hand helps to beatify it and enhance its patina.

Whether or not you are going to use a dishwasher or wash by hand, wash your silverware as soon as possible after using it - or at least rinse it. Keep it away from stainless steel, which can cause pitting in the silverware.

To polish, follow the instructions for using silver polish.  Rub your silverware gently. Then rinse it in clear water and dry with a soft towel. Rub each piece briskly - be sure that the towel is clean and change it regularly.

Importantly, don't wear rubber gloves when washing or handling your silverware. Rubber corrodes silver. Instead use cotton or plastic gloves.  Silver tarnishes when exposed to air. You can keep a specially treated cloth amongst your silverware chest to prevent this. Alternatively, you can store silverware in an airtight bag.