Silver has enemies. Rubber severely affects silver. Rubber corrodes silver, and it can become so deeply etched that only a silversmith can repair the damage. Raised designs can be lost permanently. Avoid using storage cabinets or chests with rubber seals, rubber floor coverings, rubber bands, etc.

Other enemies of silver include table salt, olives, salad dressing, eggs, vinegar and fruit juices. Serve these foods in china or glass containers. Although flowers and fruit look lovely in silver containers, the acid produced as they decay can etch the containers and cause serious damage. When using silver containers, use plastic or glass liners.

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 it on the silverware until tarnish is gone. Rinse and dry well.

Aluminium 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, like cutlery, boil for 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 design and 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 an old soft-bristled toothbrush.

Just put a dab of toothpaste on a damp (not wet) cloth and rub into silverware, rinse off and hand-dry. Then, be sure to store your silver in an air-tight environment so it won't tarnish again as quickly.

Silver is easily scratched so never use harsh abrasives. It is corroded or tarnished by salt and salt air, sulphur and sulphur-containing foods, and rubber. Frequent use deters formation of tarnish. Do not let silver stand with food on it; salty or acid foods can stain it. Rinse if it will not be washed at once.

Store silverware in a chest lined with tarnish-resistant flannel or air-tight plastic bag when not in use. Handle silver with care to avoid nicks and heavy scratches; knife blades and other metals can do damage if they come in contact with silverware.

Wash in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and dry immediately. Do not let hollow handled silverware or hollow ware stand in water as a combination of heat, water, and detergent may loosen soldering.

Do not put rubber bands on silver articles as it tarnishes them.

Never put real silverware into the dishwasher, the detergent is much too caustic and will damage it. Also, don't store with stainlessware, there's some type of chemical reaction that seems to stain the silver. Hand wash and dry after every use, then store again in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic bags.

— Compiled by Chetna Banerjee