How To: Polish your silver with Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE

Learn how to polish silver with the folks from Martha Stewart's REAL SIMPLE. Beautiful silver pieces shouldn't languish at the back of a shelf. Removing tarnish might seem like a time-consuming task, but some simple household products make for an easy clean? no backbreaking scrubbing required. Watch this how to video for tips on polishing your silver. Take care of your silver, so you can pass it down for generations to come.

What You Need:
Tarnished silver, warm water, dish soap, aluminum foil, baking soda, salt, boiled water, two pots, clean cloth, silver polish

Follow These Six Easy Steps

How To Polish Silver Step 1
Wash your silver in mild soapy water
Start by washing your silver items with mild dish soap and warm water.

Tip: Avoid the dishwasher, the extreme heat can warp items.

How To: Polish Silver Step 2
Place silver in a pot lined with aluminum foil
Make sure the pot has a well-fitting lid.

How To: Polish Silver Step 3
Mix ingredients with boiling water
In a separate pot, bring a quart of water to a boil; mix in a 1/4 cup baking soda and a couple of teaspoons of salt.

How To: Polish Silver Step 4
Pour the solution into the pot
Cover the pot once you've poured in this mix. The solution will cause a chemical reaction that should remove any blackness from the silver. This could take up to five minutes.

How To: Polish Silver Step 5
Rinse and dry your silver
Remove silver from pot, rinse with clean water, and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Tip: Prevent tarnish by storing silver in acid-free tissue paper or unbleached cotton muslin (found at fabric stores) inside a resealable bag.

How To: Polish Silver Step 6
Touch up with polish
If your piece is still looking a little tarnished, finish the job with some silver polish.