In this article we try to give our readers some simple tips on cleaning antique silver. If you should have any comments on what we have written below please do not hesitate in contacting us.

First of all, try not to over polish your silver. Each time you polish your silver a tiny amount of silver is removed, over time this can add up and cause premature wearing. It is better to regularly lightly clean or dust your antique silver with a soft cloth or gently wash and dry with a clean soft leather, then dry with a soft cotton cloth. Paul de Lamerie stated that the only time silver should be polished is just before it is handed over to the client.

If the antique silver piece is tarnished then a proprietary brand of silver polish is recommended taking care to place a piece of tape over the hallmarks to prevent, what is often seen on old pieces, rubbed hallmarks. We have seen some beautiful pieces of antique silver over the years that were probably created by top silversmiths, however sometimes the hallmarks were so badly rubbed that it was just impossible to tell.

As you can clearly see the beautiful hallmark (below) has been looked after well.

Fine Hallmark

Whereas this hallmark (below) has been rubbed making the piece much more difficult to identify

Rubbed Hallmark

If an item of antique silver is used regularly it will reduce the tarnishing and the piece will obtain a fine patina, in our opinion this actually enhances the beauty of the piece. With this in mind why not actually use your antique silver, after all, it wasn't made to be locked up in a cupboard!

If you are regularly using canteens of cutlery we would suggest that you rotate pieces not used so that the all pieces obtain the same look. We would recommend that you wash flatware after use, rinse well and dry again with a soft leather then with a soft cotton cloth. Please take special care with corrosive substances, any piece that comes into contact with salt should be cleaned immediately as it will corrode if left for any period of time. Likewise, contact with stainless steel is not good for your silver, try to keep them apart if possible.

We would not recommend that silver pieces are washed in a dishwasher; they may be ok but why risk something as precious as silver inside a dishwasher that uses SALT!, it's always better to wash by hand.