How to Clean Cutlery so It Sparkles

Nothing dulls your dinner party quicker than water spots and tarnish on your cutlery.

While washing forks, knives and spoons with hot, soapy water removes the baked-on crud remaining after a meal, that water can leave spots behind -- even after the cutlery has been thoroughly dried. Whether your cutlery is made of stainless steel or sterling silver, you can have cutlery so clean that it sparkles in the light.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Water
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• Rag
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Make a paste out of baking soda and water to clean sterling silver. Combine 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and stir until blended. Use the paste to remove tarnish from sterling silver tea kettles and serving platters as well as jewelry and cutlery.

2. Remove tarnish from sterling silver cutlery with the paste. Place a dime-sized amount onto a rag with a spoon and rub it on a piece of cutlery until the tarnish is gone. Rinse with warm water and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Repeat until all the cutlery is shiny.

3. Pour an inch of vinegar into a small bowl, dip a rag into it and rub the cutlery until all of the spots have vanished. The vinegar has the added effect of sanitizing your knives, forks and spoons. Rinse each piece and dry right away with a soft cloth. Repeat until each piece of cutlery sparkles.

References

• Repair Home: Cleaning Stainless Steel
• Home Life; How to Clean Silver Cutlery; Francesca Newby
• Arm & Hammer: Silver Polish