How to Wash, Polish & Store Silver Flatware

Silver flatware is elegant and expensive, and you want to treat it with the utmost care. If you recently purchased silver flatware, you should follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. If you have an older or antique set without directions, use these tips.

Wash in Warm, Soapy Water

You should never put your silver flatware in a dishwasher. Wash silver pieces by hand in the sink with warm, soapy water, and thoroughly dry them. It’s best to wash the flatware as soon as possible, and if silver comes in contact with acidic foods, wash it immediately. If there is only a little bit of cleaning to be done, just rub the silver with a jeweler’s cloth or special silver mitt.

Polish Sparingly

You do not need to regularly polish your silver flatware, and many people do it too often. Try to use a non-toxic polish. Many polishes contain mildly-abrasive cleaners, so too much polishing can damage the flatware.

Polish the Right Way

When you do want to polish your flatware, use a special silver polish, not just any metal polish. Begin by rinsing your flatware in warm water and letting them air dry. You should work on pieces individually. Rub polish all over the pieces with a small, damp sponge or your fingers, going with the grain, not against it or in circles. If pieces are really tarnished, let them sit for a few minutes. Otherwise, rinse all the polish off. Then buff the pieces with a dry cloth.

Store Safely to Reduce Tarnish

You can treat your flatware with a tarnish-retardant polish. Tightly wrap the flatware in acid-free tissue paper, undyed cotton or linen, or plastic wrap. It should be kept in an airtight container, but do not store it in anything with rubber seals, and it should be kept in a cool, dark place. You can also store it on polyurethane or lacquered wood. Add a piece of white chalk, a silica gel packet, or a small bit of charcoal to the storage container to help control the humidity.

DIY Tarnish Remover

If you want another way to remove tarnish from silver flatware, try this DIY method. Boil two cups of water, remove the pot from the heat, and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Drop a piece of aluminum foil into the bottom of the pot, and put tarnished flatware inside, resting on the foil. It may take about five minutes for tarnish to disappear. Remove, rinse, and dry. For smaller bits of tarnish, you can make a paste of baking soda and water, and simply rub it in with a sponge.

Protect Your Flatware

You should also take special care to protect your silver flatware. Certain things can really be damaging to it. Do not use a rubber mat or rubber gloves when cleaning your flatware, because the sulfur in the rubber can tarnish the silver. Do not use an abrasive sponge or brush to polish or dry the flatware. Some other things that can damage silver flatware are latex, stainless steel, velvet, unsealed wood, and paint

Stella Brown hosts sessions to teach homeowners how to care for kitchenware and appliances at CHS Chicago kitchen showroom.