Cutlery Care
How to Care for Your Cutlery
Silverware is designed for daily use and is widely regarded as the most valuable material for fine tableware, including cutlery, flatware, and holloware (such as drinking vessels, tea sets, and coffee services). Silver is prized for its aesthetic appeal, strength, and suitability for contact with food and drink, making it the best and most durable choice for these purposes.
Daily Use and Maintenance
The best way to maintain silver is through regular use. Frequent handling develops a patina—a subtle, elegant finish resulting from countless tiny scratches that scatter light beautifully across the surface. The depth of the silver’s blue-black colour, achieved through expert sanding and polishing during production, is further enhanced with constant use.
Proper Storage
To preserve your cutlery’s appearance and prevent damage, store it correctly:
- Felt-lined drawers, cutlery cabinets, or felt storage rolls are ideal for separating knives, forks, and spoons, preventing scratches and allowing for easy rotation of pieces.
- Avoid stacking cabinets for silver or silver-plated items, as stacking can cause wear. These cabinets are better suited for stainless steel cutlery.
Dishwashing Silver Cutlery
All high-quality silver cutlery, including ours, is dishwasher-safe. However, dishwashers may sometimes leave water stains, particularly in hard water areas. To minimize this:
- Regularly top up your dishwasher’s salt reservoir.
- Use lemon-free, bleach-free dishwasher tablets or powder.
- If water stains persist, consider handwashing and drying for a flawless finish.
For the best results, always remove cutlery from the dishwasher as soon as the cycle ends and dry it immediately. Avoid leaving unwashed cutlery out; if washing isn’t convenient, soak it in warm, soapy water until you’re ready.
Handwashing Tips
If food sticks stubbornly to cutlery:
- Soak the items in warm, soapy water rather than using scouring pads or abrasive powders, which can damage the finish.
- Dry knife blades immediately after washing to prevent water stains.
Preventing and Removing Tarnish
Silver naturally tarnishes over time due to exposure to sulphur compounds in certain foods. To remove tarnish effectively:
- Use a silver foam cleaner (brands like Goddards, Hagerty, or Town Talk work well). Apply the foam with a sponge, rinse thoroughly, and dry. This method is quick and easy, leaving your cutlery looking pristine.
- Proprietary silver polishes are also effective but require more effort.
- Avoid silver dips, as they can stain silver and may damage knife blades, stainless steel sinks, or draining boards. While stains from dips can often be polished away, they require considerable effort.
If your silver cutlery is stored in a cabinet, we may have included Cutlery Strips, which help inhibit tarnishing during storage.
Silver vs. Stainless Steel
Silver and high-quality silver-plated cutlery are both practical and durable, making them excellent choices for any home. However, if you prefer a low-maintenance option, stainless steel cutlery requires no special cleaning. Many of our patterns are available in sterling silver, silver plate, and stainless steel, so you can choose the option that best fits your lifestyle.