Silver cutlery can be washed in the dishwasher, but not with stainless-steel pieces. Stainless steel will damage real silver.
Make your own silver-polishing paste with a mixture of salt and lemon juice
Wear gloves when polishing and putting away silver to avoid finger marks
Make your own silver cleaning solution with a combination of 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/8 cup liquid silver polish and one cup water. Use the solution to clean embossed silver by applying polish with a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab.
To prevent the inside of a silver coffeepot from smelling stale, keep a couple of white sugar cubes inside while in storage.
A great way to clean silver is to first cover the bottom of a plastic tub with aluminum foil, then dissolve two tablespoons of fabric softener and two tablespoons salt in about a quart of hot water. Next, place tarnished silver in the sink. Plated silver will immediately come clean, but solid silver will take a little longer. Buff with a soft cloth.
Source: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_tips_cleaning/article/0,1801,HGTV_3208_1933021,00.html
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M.B.A., M.Ed