What Silver Cloth Does

• Silver cloth is impregnated with microscopic particles of silver or zinc. The metal particles in the cloth attract and absorb sulfur compounds before they can reach the silver item being stored, said the silversmiths’ society website.

Long Lasting Stuff

• In a tight-fitting storage chest, silver cloth will stay effective for about 20 years before it becomes saturated. Silver cloth, a flannel-like fabric, is sold by the yard to line drawers and chests or to make silver storage bags and wraps. As of 2010, it retails for around $15 a yard.

Part of a System

• Silver cloth by itself is only one part of a comprehensive silver protection program, said the silversmiths’ society. Moisture accelerates the tarnishing process, so you should put a drying agent, like silica gel, in your silver storage bags or chests, along with activated charcoal to absorb acidic airborne pollutants that can damage silver.

Widely Available

• Silica gel is widely available in small canisters that turn color when saturated with moisture. Baking the canisters in an oven drives out the moisture so they can be reused. Activated charcoal is the active ingredient in commercial anti-tarnish strips.

Avoid These Things

• Some things should not be used to store silver, said the silversmiths’ society. Newspaper and rubber bands should be avoided because they contain sulfur compounds. Plastic food wrap contains chemicals that can damage silver and over time may adhere so tightly that you’d need strong solvents to remove it. Lastly, ordinary cardboard boxes contain acids that aggressively attack silver. Only acid-free archival boxes should be used to store silverware.