Caring for cutlery

Care of stainless steel cutlery

For stainless steel cutlery just wash and dry in the dishwasher or hand wash.  Don't leave cutlery soaking for any length of time. Do not leave wet. Dry with a cloth.

Staining rarely happens and when it does it is not usually due to an attack of the steel but due to something deposited on it.  Rinse off detergent as this can sometimes leave a rainbow deposit . Don't uise abrasive pads (such as Brillo).  Tiny wet particles of the pad can rust onto the knives. Any staining which does occur in this way is usually easy to remove with Brasso.

Dry knives carefully as tap water contains mineral salts which leave a very fine film on cutlery.  This is easily removed by wiping dry with a cloth.

     Do not leave for any length of time in vinegar type condiments or in anything containing salt.

     When stainless steel corrodes it acquires small "pits".  The usual cause of pitting is prolonged contact with water, for example, overnight soaking or blades left undried.  Salt, bleach and disinfectants are very corrosive. After adding salt to water softeners in a dishwasher, put the machine through the rinse programme before washing cutlery in the dishwasher.

Care of Silver Plated Cutlery

Silver resists corrosion but it does tarnish.  This occurs when it is exposed to the chemicals in  the atmosphere and also when it is in contact with many foods such as eggs.  The latter will lead to slight discolouration of the fork ends. It does not harm the cutlery.  It is just cosmetic and is natural.

     At first this tarnish is a goldish colour but it can then turn bluish black. Silver and silver plated cutlery (or flatware, or silverware - whatever you wish to call it) should be stored in a canteen or drawer and you should try to rinse food off as soon as you can.

     Use a soft cloth and polish with silver polish and a clean cloth to buff. to a shine.  Be careful to keep this polish away from knife blades, which are stainless steel because it will mark them. You can buy "long term " silver polishes which reduce the need for continual polishing, so that you only need to do this job occasionally.

     You could use a silver dip for fork ends and this is also useful for embossed bowl spoons. Never leave items immersed for longer than 10 seconds.

     Another way to clean badly tarnished items is to place a sheet of aluminium foil in the botton of a washing up bowl.  Lay the cutlery / silverware / flatware items on top. Pour on a hot solution of washing soda and water (around 15grams to 2.5 litres of water). Leave for a few minutes. Rinse and then polish with silver polish.

      Silver plated and silver items should be hand-washed and we recommend washing them separately from stainless steel.

     Silver scratches easily and you should not worry about the fine scratches which will appear on your new cutlery.  Gradually they will develop into a "patina" which will become more pronounced. This gives silver a lovely mellow look and gives it much of its appeal.