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Looking after Silver Plate Flatware (or silverware)
1 -
It is important that you follow the manufacturer’s cleaning
instructions for silver plate flatware. Silverware is expensive
and if you do have problems it is advantageous that you have met
the washing and guarantee instructions. Normal advice is not to
wash silverware in the dishwasher but recently some high end
manufacturers of silver plate flatware such as the French
flatware manufacturer Alain Saint-Joanis are offering items that
are dishwasher friendly. Never put sterling silver or solid
silver of any kind through the dishwasher
2 - Silverplate
flatware does not need regular polishing and should not be
cleaned more than absolutely necessary. Clean your silverware
with a soft cloth, using a brush with very soft bristles for
crevices, or washing in warm soapy water, rinsing well and
drying with a dry clean towel.
Moire in silver plate by
Alain Saint-Joanis
3 - Always wash silver plated flatware as soon as possible, and
at the very least rinse food waste from the pieces after using
it and don't soak for any length of time. Acidic foods (egg
yolks, brussel sprouts, table salt, olives, salad
dressing, vinegar, fruit juices etc) can be corrosive to silver
if left in contact.
4 -
If you
need to polish your silver plate flatware, use a good quality
silver polish or cream, not a standard metal polish. Rinse
afterwards in clean water and dry with a clean tea towel. A soft
brush can be used to remove polish from crevices on patterned
silverware or within the bolster. Do not under any circumstance
use wire wool or an abrasive cloth to remove stains as they will
scratch the surface of the silver and as mentioned above use
polish as seldom as possible as a small amount of metal will be
removed over time. If you wear gloves make sure that they are
cotton or plastic as rubber gloves are corrosive.
Remember that your flatware knife blades will most likely by
stainless steel and they should be cleaned with that in mind.
Cable in silverplate by
Alain Saint-Joanis
5 - It is important to store your silver flatware effectively to
prevent scratching and corrosion. Wrap your flatware in
acid-free tissue paper, or undyed cotton or linen and keep in
airtight conditions in specialist air tight boxes or chests. Do
not use storage boxes or chests with rubber seals.
Use and enjoy your silver plate flatware, the more it is used
the better. Buy well, treat it well and your silverware will
last a lifetime.
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