How to Clean Stainless Flatware

Good stainless steel flatware is made out of the same material as is a good knife blade. Unlike silver plated flatware, stainless flatware doesn't require gentle treatment for a long life. Occasionally, low grade stainless steel may rust, while higher grades of stainless, such as surgical stainless steel, almost never rust. Good stainless flatware should last a lifetime. Storing them with rusted metals, however, invites a possible shorter life.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Sandpaper

1. Wash stainless flatware with your other dishes or scrub them with dampened baking soda.

2. Soak any rusted flatware in a solution of vinegar for 24 hours. You may be able to scrape off any rust with dull knife. If you made progress but still have some rust remaining, you can soak the rusted flatware another day in a vinegar solution.

3. Use 400-grit sandpaper and sand away any remaining rust. After you remove the rust, get some finer grit sandpaper, such as 600-grit, to give the flatware a shiny finish. To pass an inspection under a spot light, you can use 1,000-grit sandpaper to buff out any visible fine scratches. A final buff can be done with 2,000-grit sandpaper. A 600- or 800-grit finish will be satisfactory for most people.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to wash the flatware without bothering to fill a tub or sink with water and detergent, click the source listed below or copy and paste http://www.ehow.com/how_4719067_wash-dishes-almost-water-detergent.html.