According to Katherine Singley, a Georgia objects conservator -- Orvus paste or Ivory soap can remove light tarnish. If you have a heavier tarnish accumulation on the silver, you can use 3M Tarni-Shield (available at Wal-mart) -- it is less toxic and the least abrasive of commercial polishes and leaves behind a corrosion inhibitor. If you want to mix your own, precipitated chalk is available from several conservation supply stores online and some art supply stores. Be very careful when cleaning pieces with artificial patination as a harsh tarnish remover can damage the patination. Be sure to dry everything thoroughly; pieces with hollow handles and feet can trap water and magnify your corrosion issues. Store them in Rubbermaid tubs, wrapped in felt or pacificloth bags with a Haggerty's silver strip or silica gel pouches inside -- you'll polish less when you get ready to exhibit. Michelle Zupan Curator Hickory Hill The historic home of Senator Thomas E. Watson. 502 Hickory Hill Drive Thomson, GA 30824 Phone: 706.595.7777 FAX: 706.595.7177 Visit us at www.hickory-hill.org ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).