How to Clean Silver-Plated Cutlery

Most silver cutlery you see today is actually silver-plated cutlery. Silver-plated cutlery is brass cutlery that is electro-plated in silver. This gives the cutlery an expensive appearance without the actual expense of solid silver cutlery. Do not wash your silver in the dishwasher unless your manufacturer recommends it. Do not let your silver cutlery soak overnight as this could damage the silver plate.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Aluminum foil
• Saucepan
• Liquid dish soap
• Sponge

Instructions

Removing Tarnish

1. Fill a saucepan with clear water.

2. Add 2 tbsp. baking soda and a piece of aluminum foil to the water.

3. Boil the water and add the silver-plated cutlery.

4. Boil for at least 10 minutes. The aluminum and baking soda will pull the tarnish from the silver surface.

5. Remove the cutlery and wash it in warm, soapy water. Dry the cutlery.

Cleaning Cutlery

1. Fill your sink with warm water.

2. Add 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap. Use mild soap that does not contain bleach or strong fragrances as these could damage the silver.

3. Place the silver-plated cutlery in the water.

4. Scrub the food and debris off each piece of cutlery with a sponge. If the food does not come off with the sponge, put the piece of cutlery back into the water and return to it after a few minutes.

5. Rinse the silverware with clear water once it is clean and set it out to air-dry completely.

References

• Sheffield Cutlery: Caring For & Looking After Sterling Silver Flatware
• Cutlery & Allied Trades Research Association: Care of Cutlery & Flatware
• Telegraph: Household Cleaning Silver