Do you have a closet full of

silver treasures you are afraid to use? Are you under the impression that

the real thing shouldn't be paired with plated silver or pewter?

Don't be so hard on yourself. Get your collection out, and set a

stunning table.

Silver style

There are no rules when it

comes to mixing metals. You can set a table with a style of your very

own.

Because sterling has such a

high-maintenance reputation, pair it with a few low-maintenance pieces,

such as pewter. Use ornate items with simple ones, or mix new pieces with

old. The looks you can create, just by altering a few elements, are endless.

Don't save your silver

for special occasions - it doesn't have to be a dressy affair

to create a beautiful table or vignette setting. As long as it is in good

condition, silver deserves to be used. If pieces are broken, take them

to a repair professional.

Plated versus sterling

Sterling silver isn't

actually pure silver. Sterling specifies that the metal contains at least

925 parts of silver to 75 parts alloy (usually copper). Pure silver is

rarely used because it is too soft. On the other hand, with silver plate,

a coat of silver has been applied over another metal. Therefore it is

best to use a gentle hand when cleaning, because in time you can rub the

silver off to reveal the metal underneath.

Dishwasher safe?

While the dishwasher is a wonderful

invention, it's not so great for your silver. Over time, the combination

of abrasive detergents and agitating water can wear down patterns. While

you might not like to hear it, old-fashioned hand-washing is best. To

clean pieces by hand, fill the sink with warm, soapy water. Use a soft

rag to clean silver, and dry immediately. Never let your silver sit in

the water too long or wash your stainless with your sterling.

Keeping your silver sparkling

There are many products on

the market that will remove tarnish. We tested a cream cleanser and a

spray cleanser to see which resulted in the best shine with minimal effort.

We started with the spray.

This must be done in a well-ventilated area because the fumes are pretty

strong. Working in sections, we applied the cleanser, and using cotton

gloves, we buffed the items to a shine. It took a little elbow grease,

but after a quick rinse, we were pleased with the results.

With the rest of our silver,

we used the cream solution. Using a sponge that came with the cleanser,

we applied a small amount to the leftover pieces. We repeated the steps,

then rinsed the silver with warm water. Once thoroughly dried, we compared

our two methods. While pleased with both results, we preferred the final

look from the cream cleanser.

You may be tempted to settle

for a dip method of cleaning, but both commercial and homemade recipes

are often considered too aggressive. The solution will remove the tarnish

in the crevices and intricately detailed areas that add character to silver.

Every time you polish, abrasives

take a thin layer of the surface off of silver. Repeated polishing or

cleaning with chemicals will gradually eat away at the plating, surface

decoration, engraving, and monograms.

Storage solutions

Tarnish is caused by sulfur

in the environment. Actually, the tarnish isn't harmful to silver

at all, aggressive polishing is. To slow down the tarnish, keep your silver

wrapped in silver cloth or in a zip-top plastic bag. For larger pieces,

use a dry-cleaning bag; let out the air, and tie both ends.

Silver cloth is available at

jewelers and fabric stores and is filled with compounds that absorb sulfur

gases. The cloth will lose the compounds over time; washing and reusing

it is not advised.

Flea market finds

Who knows what treasures are

out there? At flea markets they often pile random pieces in large plastic

tubs. Whether you're looking for an odd serving piece or a napkin

ring with your initials, collecting silver can become a fun hobby.

Care 101

Silverware should be rinsed

immediately after use, especially after contact with acidic foods such

as mayonnaise, fruit, vinegar, or salt, which cause corrosion.

Wash sterling separately from

stainless steel. The silver has a chemical reaction with the stainless,

and black spots will eventually appear.

Never use newspaper or aluminum

foil to store silver.

Don't use a rubber band

to hold flatware together.

Always dry silver thoroughly

after use to avoid water spots.

Avoid dip methods for cleaning

any silver pieces, but especially plated ones; these solutions wear away

the thin layer of silver faster.

Be wary of sending silver to

professional polishers; they often use machines that achieve gorgeous

results but are too rough with delicate pieces.

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