The Best Way to Polish Sterling Flatware

Silverware develops a soft patina with age.

If you're lucky enough to have inherited a set of silver flatware, use it. The more you use it, the less it tarnishes. Instead it develops a soft patina over time that enhances its beauty. Sterling silver flatware isn't as delicate as most people assume. It can even be washed in the dishwasher. Just separate it from stainless steel utensils and dry by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cotton cloths
• Silver polish
• Soft toothbrush

Instructions

1. Apply a small amount of silver polish to a dampened cloth. Rub the sterling silver flatware with the cloth in an up an down motion to slowly remove tarnish. Turn your cloth when it becomes dirty to avoid redepositing tarnish on the flatware.

2. Apply silver polish to a soft toothbrush and rub intricate motifs gently to remove tarnish.

3. Rinse thoroughly in warm water.

4. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Store flatware in a felt-lined box separate from stainless steel flatware.

• Polish and dry one piece at a time.

• Don't use an acid bath or silver dip, which will ruin your silver.

• Don't polish silver often as each time you polish you wear away a bit of the silver.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Clean Silver Flatware
• "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook"; Martha Stewart; 2006

Resources

• Good Housekeeping: Do It All Cleaning Guide