How to Properly Wash Your Stainless Steel Flatware
How to Hand Wash Your Stainless Steel Flatware in Dish Water
This comes from 3M, and it blew me away. I've been hand washing dishes for many years. I've always put my stainless steel flatware in the sink first. That way, as my mother taught me, the food on them can soak loose. It's then easier to wash them clean.
According to 3M, you shouldn't soak your stainless steel flatware because the "acidic foods, dairy and salt can cause damage." Damage in the form of dark spots and rust. Instead, you're supposed to wash them with a Scotch-Brite™ Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge. Rinse the stainless steel flatware off with tap water and dry it right away. You're then supposed to store it separately from other utensils. I'm sure that's so they don't get scratched.
How to Wash Your Stainless Steel Flatware in the Dishwasher
According to onlinestainless.com, new stainless steel flatware should be washed in the sink- not in the dishwasher- for a few weeks to "season" them. After that, before you place your stainless steel flatware in the dishwasher, you should rinse off "any salty or acidic foods" stuck to them. The website recommends putting stainless steel flatware in the dishwasher and washing it right away. Letting it sit a few days in the dishwasher will dull the flatware.
To properly care for stainless steel flatware, separate the knives in a different dishwasher basket away from the spoons and forks. Place the points down so they can't scratch other items. And don't wash stainless steel flatware with sterling or silverplate. Run your stainless steel flatware through the gentle dry or energy saving cycle to preserve the finish.
When it comes to dishwashing detergent, choose a mild type that doesn't contain lemon, scents or bleach additives. These can damage the finish.
How to Remove Dark Spots, Rust and Dullness
If your stainless steel flatware does get dark spots or rust on it, use a polish that's specially made for this type of metal. Polishing can restore the shine to dull stainless steel flatware too, as long as the finish isn't completely worn away.
Resources
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotch-BriteBrand/Scotch-Brite/Resources/Directory/Tips/?lang=en_US
http://www.westernsilver.com/stainless_flatware_care.html
http://www.flatware.org/stainless_steel_flatware_silverware/care.html
http://www.onlinestainless.com/stainless-steel-flatware/stainless-steel-care.htm
Published by Kassidy Emmerson
Kassidy Emmerson has studied Journalism, Creative and Non-Fiction Writing and Computer Programming. She has worked as a professional freelance writer for over a decade. Emmerson has 6,000+ articles published... View profile
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18 Comments
Post a CommentGreat tips.
Great article, Kassidy! I hand wash everything. I've never really been a fan of dishwashers, even though we have one.
Interesting, I've been using the same set every day for 12 years, washed in a dishwasher and it's as shinny as the day I opened the box. Luck maybe?
I learned a lot from this. Very useful tips, thanks so much! :)
Thanks for this info....I'm afraid i've been doing it "wrong" for years!!!
I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the headline. Who've thunk there was a "right way" to wash flatware?
Oh oh I'm always leaving mine to soak in the sink, great article!
Oh dear! I wasn't aware of this. I soak silverware in the sink that has tough food stains on them.
Sophie
The only thing I knew about washing silverware is that you are supposed to wash (if by hand) glasses first, then plates, then silverware, and pots last. I didn't have a clue that you were not supposed to let it sit in the dishwater. Or that there is stainless steel cleaner, either! Good article.
Good tips. I see you switched up your avatar, also.