Yes, there is a way of cleaning silver by a chemical process that does zero harm to the silver itself. I'm sorry, but its been far too many years for me to remember the details but basically, it involves combining aluminium and either baking soda or for a better result what they call washing soda. (available at most supermarkets).

Google "Cleaning silver with aluminium foil for more details.

As I understand it, aluminium foil is generally used because it is commonly found in the home. An actual piece of pure aluminium works much better. Same with baking soda. Commonly found therefore commonly used but washing soda much better.

Sorry, I can't recall more details.

Jim

Thanks Guys, I would normally have gone straight to the Web but I needed to be sure (Too many memories to destroy), - that's why I came here first.

From Dr Google; How to Clean Large Silver Items:
Line your sink with foil. ...
Pour boiling water into the sink. ...
Add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt to the water. ...
Place silver pieces in the solution.
Allow pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.
Remove items when cool and dry them off with a soft cloth.
May 6, 2020

Silver Plate;
Instructions
Bring water to a boil in a pot on the stove. ...
Inside an aluminum dish or a glass dish lined with aluminum foil, add the baking soda and sea salt.
Slowly pour in the vinegar and boiling water to your dish. ...
Place the silver into your dish, making sure each piece is touching the aluminum surface.

Does vinegar harm silver?
White vinegar and baking soda: Use this gentle cleaner to remove heavy tarnish that's preventing you from polishing your silver. Soak the tarnished piece in a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tbsp. ... Then pour boiling water over the pieces until they are covered and add 2 tbsp. each of baking soda and salt.

Scratching my head. Vinegar would be neutralised by the baking soda. Makes no sense to combine e them.

You don't have something you can test it on?

Hi Possum

I have no idea about the cleaning but I am thinking it's a shame you don't still use the pot....

Possum, I'd like to think I'm the last person to tell anyone what they should do in any given situation. But may I pass on a decision I made for myself some years back?

My parents had a very extensive, (And expensive) silver cutlery set that I had memories of for as long as I can recall having memories. It was only brought out on special occasions or when we had guests. As soon as I was old enough the job of polishing each piece somehow became my job.

When it passed into my procession, I had the choice of following protocol or actually using it. I chose the latter. That was some 30+ years ago. It's my day to day cutlery set now and is used and washed the same as any $19.95 cheapo set from K-Mart would be.

Guess what? I've never found the need to polish it. Not once. They go into my sink and are washed just like everything else used that day. Ok, no scouring pads. That would be my only difference to other items in the sink.

Silverplate is not as fragile as we may think.
I think you could easily describe my cutlery as "Over the top" for a country bumpkin living on his own. But I see it as adding a bit of class to my life.

Jim

The black that you wish to remove is silver oxide. Every time it goes black is some more silver lost.
Maybe there is some wax or other protective coating that will slow or stop the oxidisation process?
Cheers,
Peter

Our Grosvenor epns cutlery set is 50 years old still looks good, washing soda and aluminium foil or the aluminium plate with holes($10). About once a year

Whenarewethere wrote:

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Stick the silverware in a cupboard with an airlock & purge the air with nitrogen as they do packaging chips & nuts etc.

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 What a good idea and such a quick, simple and cheap solution.