- 1). Clean the silver before you polish it. Never polish a dirty plate. Silver generally needs polishing only once a year, so if you use it for everyday purposes, clean it properly in warm soapy water with a soft dish towel. If you put your silver in the dishwasher, take it out before the drying cycle. Dry the plate completely with a soft cloth. As long as you properly clean your silver after each use and buff it dry with a cloth, it should stay shiny for a year before you need to polish it.
- 2). Remove tarnish. If your silver is tarnished (black from oxidation), remove the tarnish before you polish. You can purchase a chemical tarnish-remover, or you can make your own. In a sink filled with hot water, add 2 tbsp. baking soda and 2 tbsp. salt. Line the bottom of the sink with aluminum foil. Wear gloves and dip the silver plates in the water. The tarnish should fall off immediately. If the tarnish is quite aggressive, allow the plate to soak for no more than five minutes. Rinse the silver completely and dry it.
- 3). Apply a thin layer of silver polish. Do not use too much polish because it can wear off the finish. Use a soft clean cloth or towel to rub the polish into the silver in straight strokes, as if you are grating cheese. Do not apply the polish in circles, or the shine will not be as clear.
- 4). Buff off the polish with a clean cloth. For buffing you can use circular motions. Buff until all streaks and polish residue are gone, or until you can see your face in the plate like a mirror.
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