How to Make Stainless Steel Flatware Shiny Again

Remove water marks and shine your stainless steel flatware.

Durable stainless steel flatware doesn't require regular polishing and can go in the dishwasher. The composition of the stainless steel, stamped on the back side of each utensil, indicates the percentage of chrome and nickel included in the flatware. Chrome makes the flatware hard, and nickel contributes to the surface sheen. With use and repeated washing, even high-quality stainless steel will need maintenance to keep it from getting dull.

Things You'll Need

• Ammonia
• Soft cloths
• Baby oil
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Fill a sink with hot water.

2. Add a splash of ammonia and swish it around.

3. Soak the silverware in the sink for five minutes.

4. Rub each piece with your fingers, in the direction of the steel's grain.

5. Rinse each piece with clean hot water and wipe them with a soft dry cloth.

6. Rub the flatware with unscented baby oil to hide scratches and remove stuck-on grime. Wipe them clean with a soft cloth.

7. Apply white vinegar to a soft cloth and polish the flatware in the direction of the grain.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How to Clean Stainless Steel
• "Good Housekeeping"; How to Polish Stainless Steel Flatware; Heloise