With age, comes wisdom, and some tarnish. It's what we do with the wisdom and tarnish that matters.
If you're a veteran of vintage and antique things, then you will know that a piece with naturally acquired patina, aka tarnish, usually looks much better and is more valued than a shiny polished piece. The patina is part of its provenance and proof of age.
But you will need to clean things, and the best advice is to always start with gentle method like dry dusting or wiping with a very lightly damp cloth. This is good method for almost every type of hard surface item. To get into the nooks and crannies of a piece, use a lightly damp cotton swab or a small brush. This may seem harder than just dunking a piece into a soapy bath but the less you do to a piece the better. This method will take off surface dirt but not the patina.
If the piece is more soiled and can be washed with water, use a mild, diluted cleaner, such as a dish soap and warm water solution. This works well with glass, metal, un-broken, non-porous ceramics. But always test an inconspicuous spot first before submerging a piece in water. Some decorations are water soluble. Dry thoroughly.
In general, avoid harsh chemicals, excessive moisture, and abrasive scrubbers, which can not only remove the patina, but also scratch the surface of an item.
Always follow the suggested care instructions from the producer of products, such as our desk blotters and silk scarves.
There is a lot of information on the internet for care and cleaning of each type of material, but in general, start gentle and test a small spot first to see if you like the result.
