When you light a candle, the heat of the flame melts the silver in the wick, vaporizing it. Vaporized silver deposits on the inside of the glass and eventually forms a black layer of silver sulfide. To avoid this, extinguish candles with a snuffer or by dipping the wick in water before it reaches the silver-coated portion. If your candle stand does develop a black layer, you can clean it with a commercial silver polish or make your own cleaning solution with white vinegar and baking soda.

Before each use, wipe your silver candle stand with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dirt or fingerprints. For best results, polish your stand with a specialty silver polish once every few months. To keep your stand looking its best, avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or cleaners, as well as direct sunlight.