Useful Silver Caring Tips

Caring for Your Silver

Washing your silver

   Wash your silverware immediately after each use. This helps to avoid  staining and tarnishing that some foods accelerate. Hand-washing your silverware is recommended. Use a mild dishwashing liquid. Avoid lemon-scented detergents, those containing chlorides. Dry your silverware completely with a soft cloth. Always wash your silver and stainless separately, and only store after it has cooled. Cleaning in a dishwasher is not recommended for either sterling flatware or silverplate.

 Storing your Silver

  If you use your silverware regularly, store it in a clean drawer free from moisture. If you store your silver for long periods of time, place it in either a flannel flatware rolls or a wooden storage chest with protective lining. Special protective material can be purchased at better fabric stores. Never warp your silver in any type of plastic, rubber bands or newspaper. These contain high amounts of sulfur which accelerate tarnishing.

Polishing your Silver

  If you use your silverware regularly, you will not have to polish it as often. When polishing is necessary use a very soft cloth to polish or purchase a cloth made for polishing silver. Avoid all-purpose cleaners and dip cleaners. Avoid excess rubbing, and be sure to rub lengthwise, never in a circular motion or crosswise. Try to keep polish away from gold accents.  Like most precious metals, silver will scratch and chafe as it is used. This is normal.

Avoiding Tarnish

  The best way to slow tarnishing is to use your silver. Tarnish is caused by certain foods that contain sulfides, such as: Eggs, fruit juices, tomatoes, vinegar, ketchup, salt, salty foods (butter), mustard, salad dressing and tomato sauces. If this foods remain on your silver for a length of time, they will cause your silver to tarnish and in many cases cause pits. Salt should be emptied from the article immediately after use and rinsed to avoid spotting. Rubber bands are very harmful to silver. They can leave marks on sterling silver that are very difficult to remove and may even remove the silver from plated items.

Home Remedies: We do not guarantee the results of these tips nor are responsible for any bad or unsatisfactory results. Care must be taken when using very hot water. We have had some success trying these tips, however, we do not use them to do our restoration. 

To remove tarnish form flatware, assuming it is not severe: Mix 2 Tablespoons of salt with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 quarts of very hot water and pour into an aluminum pan or line a glass pan with aluminum foil, shinny side up. Place flatware in pan and let set for five minutes, rinse and dry. May be necessary to lightly polish with silver polish.

To remove salt stains from sterling silver, heat 2 cups of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt, soak the item for no more than 5 minutes, rinse, dry and polish with silver polish.

To reduce tarnishing of silver place pieces of white chalk in your silver drawer or storage cabinets. These should be replaced every couple of weeks.

Please note we do not guarantee these tips and suggest if your silver is a value to you, seek professional help.