Silver virgin

[pharmgirl]

So, I have found a plastic bag of silver cutlery that has been in the attic for 10 years. Have spent most of today cleaning it with Silvo (stinky cotton wool type stuff). My wrists ache, but the silver is shining. Is there an easier/better way to clean silver? I intend to use said shined silver, so, how often should I clean it? Where best to store it? Can I put it in the dishwasher? TIA

Line a plastic bowl with tinfoil - put in soda crystals and the silver cutlery then add boiling water-magic.if you have young children let them watch and see the difference.

goddards silver foam. It is like a pinkish soap. Do it by the sink so you can rinse off. Polish off with an old cotton vest. Wear plastic gloves (not rubber ones as rubber causes tarnish)

put your thumb over the hallmark while polishing to avoid wearing it away

they call it Goddards Silver Pad now You can usually also buy it in jewellers that sell silverware, though I doubt they will be cheap. John Lewis do an own-brand that seems identical.

god i remember polishing the silver being one of my favourite childhood jobs! the very idea that i would get dd to do this, or indeed that i would have any silver to polish, is unthinkable!

Thanks for all the advice. I am determined to actually use the cutlery as it is very pretty....not too ornate. It has a monogram with our initial on it (came from DH grandparents and we got it all as my SILs had new married names..ha ha).

Goddards also make special impregnated polishing cloths, feel like soft dusters, which keep silver looking good with only quick rub now and again, no mess or elbow-grease required and last for years.