Hosting for the holidays? Don’t set the table with dull or water-spotted silverware. Show off for your guests with place settings that shine! Here’s how to get your silverware gleaming before your next dinner party.
How to Clean Silverware: The Basics
Real silverware should never be put in the dishwasher. However, it doesn’t have to take hours of tedious polishing to keep it clean either! Instead, wash it by hand like you do any other non-dishwasher-safe items.
- Mix hot water and a few squirts of dish soap in a basin.
- Use a microfiber cloth to scrub the silverware with the soap mixture.
- Rinse in cool or cold water.
- Dry with a soft, clean towel to avoid water spots.
- Buff away dullness with a cloth made especially for silver polishing.
Can Stainless Steel Silverware Go in the Dishwasher?
Yes, stainless steel cutlery can go in the dishwasher! You can also handwash it in the same manner as real silverware, but we understand that sometimes, you just don’t have the time to hand wash every knife and fork.
Want to know how to clean stainless steel silverware in the dishwasher for the best results? Here’s the correct way to load silverware in a dishwasher:
- Rinse your flatware after using it to avoid letting food sit on it for long periods of time.
- Don’t soak your flatware overnight, as this can lead to corrosion.
- Load forks and spoons handle-down. Load knives in a separate compartment with the blade down to avoid scratching.
- Only load stainless steel flatware with other stainless steel; avoid mixing metals in the baskets to prevent reactions between the materials.
- Opt for milder detergents with no citrus, chlorine, or strong alkaline ingredients, which can be harsh on your flatware.
How to Polish Silverware: Is Silver Polish the Way to Go?
While it might seem like a no-brainer to reach for commercially available silverware polish, we recommend trying a DIY mixture instead. Store-bought polishes can be abrasive when used frequently, so they are often more suited for restoring silverware that’s rusted or otherwise in bad shape. Polishing silverware with vinegar or a baking soda and aluminum bath provides a less abrasive clean.
For everyday cleaning, use hot water, baking soda, and a microfiber cloth!
- Choose an aluminum pan big enough to hold your silverware, or line a large dish or bowl with aluminum foil.
- Boil water: enough to fill the pan and cover a single layer of silverware.
- Add boiling water and one tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water to the pan. Stir to dissolve.
- Add tarnished silver to the pan in a single layer, making sure each piece is in contact with aluminum. This kickstarts a chemical reaction that will clean your silver.
- Leave lightly tarnished pieces in the baking soda bath for as little as two minutes. Duller pieces can be left for up to ten.
- Carefully tip the hot water and silverware into a strainer to avoid burning yourself.
- Rinse silverware well with cool water to get baking soda out of any crevices.
- Buff dry with a microfiber cloth, using a circular motion to restore the shine.
Getting Rid of Water Sports on Silverware
Hand-drying your real silverware will help you avoid water spots. However, stainless steel is more prone to streaking, especially in the dishwasher.
To prevent water spots and streaks, first try adding a rinse aid to each cycle. If you’re still seeing spots, you can easily remove them with items found in most homes:
- Rub away water spots and other discoloration with a soft towel and a light coating of olive oil.
- Restore shine with a second soft towel or dishcloth lightly dampened with distilled white vinegar. Buff in small, circular motions.
- Rinse with cool water.
- Dry flatware immediately with a microfiber towel.
Prepare for Hosting with Professional Home Cleaning
You handle the table settings, and leave the dusting, mopping, and vacuuming up to us! The Cleaning Authority® will help you get your house dinner party-ready with our regular or one-time cleaning services. Call (888) 658-0659 or request an estimate online to schedule a pre-hosting clean.