Silver Polishing Methods:

1. Mild Acid Wash: This method follows washing silver articles with hot water and mild acid like citric acid, acetic acid or tartaric acid. This is more preventive method and less a removal method.

2. Ball Burnishing Machine: A common method for cleaning silver cutlery and small articles. The machine has a revolving drum half filled with highly polished ball-bearings. The drum has an inner lining of rubber to prevent friction and is filled with detergent and hot water. Rotating the drum polishes the silver surface. It is then rinsed, dried and stacked.

3. The Plate Powder: The plate powder mixed with ethyl alcohol is made into a paste and smeared onto silver articles. When left to dry, the alcohol evaporates and the articles are wiped and buffed with a soft cloth. Cruet sets, bread baskets, sauce boats are polished this way.

4. The Silver Dip: This method is suitable for cutlery polishing. The cutlery is dipped for a few seconds in a liquid like goddards silver dip. It does not give a good finish on a heavily stained article. Quick removal, rinsing and drying is essential to avoid corrosion of the metal.

5. The Polivit or Aluminum-Soda Solution Method: Large silver articles are submerged in hot water containing a strong solution of washing soda with an aluminum plate. The combined action of aluminum and soda removes stain quickly.