Encrustation marks on and in your salt shaker, open salt, or other vessel can be a real annoyance. Encrustation is different from tarnish in the way it feels. Run your finger over the area and you'll feel a crusty mass. This cannot be removed with silver polish. One way to avoid this problem is to remove the salt after a dinner party and thoroughly wash it; this way the salt doesn't have time to do its damage. Heavily gold plating the interior is the only other way to preserve the finish because gold is impervious to the effects of salt. It is still wise to clean out a shaker at least twice a year to make sure it has not been abraded by the salt.

If you have a few spots of encrustation, in a well ventilated area place a cotton swab or cotton ball with household ammonia on the spot. Let it sit for ten minutes, then rinse the entire piece thoroughly with warm water and inspect the surface. If the spots remain, repeat. Afterward, neutralize the piece in white vinegar, then rinse under warm water. If the object is covered with encrustation – such as a salt shaker which you cannot remove the top – place it in a container with enough ammonia to cover the piece for 10 minutes. If the encrustation has not dissolved after a third application or soaking, have the object professionally conserved. If you are able to remove it successfully, you'll probably notice a slight graying of the silver. Polishing will bring back the luster. This method should only be done on solid silver, not silver plate.