Whether in the form jewelry, utensils, candlesticks, decorative pieces or serving trays, your silver possessions are valuable and deserve proper care.We know to keep them in a safe place, yet proper care of silver escapes many. Heres how to care for your silver. The biggest problem is tarnish, that discoloration mostly from humidity. A humidity level of 45 to 50 percent is best for showing and displaying silver, but thats difficult to maintain in most homes. In any case, be certain to avoid storing silver in highly damp places, like basements. You can stave off tarnish by using your silver frequently, not just for holidays and company. Usage helps give a nice patina to silverware, and since youll be cleaning it after use, helps fight tarnish. Wash silverware in warm, soapy, phosphate-free detergent water quickly after use, as some foods contain sulfur, which causes tarnish. Dont use your dishwasher, and dont wash silver with stainless steel. It could lead to pitting. Should candle wax drip onto your silver, hold it under hot water and pick it off with fingers, not an instrument. Cutlery blades can be washed in warm water but rinsed in cold to avoid loosening handle glue. Help avoid tarnish buildup on silver in a display cabinet by using camphor pieces, which should not touch the silver, and anti-tarnish paper, silica gel, or cloth treated with carbon or silver salts. Other helpers are protectant-treated gloves for polishing, storage boxes, and polishing cloths and agents. Never use toothpaste to polish. Dont store silver in plastic bags; they may emit chemicals harming silver. You can have a jeweler polish your silver, but be sure its by hand and without chemicals. Mechanical buffing and chemical cleaning can cause surface damage, decrease detailed designs and wear the silver. Youll be paying for a routine that will diminish the originality and value of your pieces. If youre a do-it-yourselfer, you can buff your items with a clean, soft cloth of flannel or cotton; dont use tissue or paper towels, as they can scratch. Wear gloves to keep hand oils from silver. Simply rub the silver with your cloth. Dont pull or push, as silver is pliable. Polish and clean crevices and hard-to-reach areas with a cotton swab and remove dried polish the same way. You can do this with silver polish but toss it out if its gritty. When you gain the luster you want, store your silver in cloth pouches or soft flannel, linen or cotton cloth, even a towel. Dont use newspaper; it promotes tarnish. As for jewelry, be certain not to wear it in a swimming pool or hot tub where chlorinated water could damage it. Put on your makeup and hairspray before your jewelry and remove it before doing any work involving ammonia or bleach, which could damage the finish. Tips for cleaning jewelry are essentially the same: wash, rinse, dry with soft cloth. Polish with a soft, dry cloth or a tarnish-removing liquid free of ammonia. Polish gently so as not to remove patina. Store your silver jewelry in a cool, dry spot away from extreme heat, direct sunlight and chemicals. Sun can fade some gems. Follow these rules and tips, and your silver will last a long time in good condition.