TIPS FOR CLEANING SILVER, from Mishpacha magazine:
Polishes that are meant to be washed off are less abrasive.
If your silver piece has porous attachments (i.e/ a wooden handle), use a polish that gets buffed dry, not rinsed off.
Some polishes also provide tarnish protection; check the label.
To get between fork tines, use a flattened cotton swab.
Use Cotton gloves while drying; the oily salt natually found on your fingers can cause tarnish.
Remove wax by placing in the freezer and gently using a fingernail (not a knife) to scrape away what remains, or use a blow drier to soften.