Sterling silver is an alloy of 92 1/2 percent silver and 71/2 percent copper. It's beauty increases with use, which causes a patina or soft sheen to form. Plated silver is silver that has been electroplated over another metal.
Silver tarnishes when exposed to air. This occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather, also store in treated paper or cloth, or plastic film.
3 WAYS TO CLEAN IT:
BAKING SODA: apply a paste of baking soda and water. Rub rinse, and polish dry with a soft cloth. To remove tarnish from silverware, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and rub ir on silverware until tarnish is gone. Rinse dry well.
ALUMINUM FOIL, BAKING SODA AND SALT: place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add 2-3 inches of water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Add silver pieces, boil 2-3 minutes, making sure the water covers the silver pieces. Remove silver, rinse dry, and buff with a soft cloth This method cleans the crevices of silver pieces.
TOOTHPASTE: to clean off tarnish, coat the silver with toothpaste, then run it under warm water, work it into a foam, and rinse it off. For stubborn stains or intricate grooves use and old soft bristled toothbrush.
