To clean your silver easily take an aluminium foil pan (or if it is large silver line your kitchen sink with aluminium foil) mix equal parts of water softner and salt in the pan or sink. Add warm water and stir. Put your jewelry or whatever silver you have in and let it sit a few minutes (maybe a little longer if really black) take it out and rinse with water and rub with a soft cloth. It should be sterling again. You can buy water softner at most grocery stores or Wal Mart etc. it is in the detergent isle. If you are putting it in a pan mix about 1/8 cup of salt and 1/8 cup water softner (doesn't have to be exact) if you are using the sink use more maybe 1/2 cup of each. Use enough water to cover what you are cleaning.