Many people don't realize that stainless steel is basically ordinary iron that has been infused with a minimum of 10% chromium. Stainless steel is great at resisting rust and corrosion through ordinary use, but it does tend to dull occasionally.
Stainless steel is well known for its durability and ability to stand up perfectly to everyday use. Chromium forms a hard oxide coating on the surface of flatware that makes it shine while protecting the steel on the inside. Over time and continued use along with use of dishwashing detergents this protective coating begins to wear off. Once the shell wears down the flatware will begin to lose its luster. This naturally happens to all flatware, though it should not happen for some time dependent upon the quality of the silver.
If your flatware is still relatively new and in good shape then there are a number of ways to clean it and restore some of its original shine. One method used to remove streaking is to take a soft dish towel and rub olive oil on the flatware; this should help remove streaks. You can also polish and shine stainless steel flatware by using vinegar and a soft cloth; this will help to remove heat stains from the flatware. If you dont have vinegar, club soda can be used.
Before you put your Towle stainless steel flatware into a dishwasher make sure you rinse any salty or acidic foods first. When utensils are put in the dishwasher and left to sit for several days, this does more harm to the flatware that daily washing does. Keep in mind that using harsh chemicals to clean stubborn foods from the flatware can result in dark spots on the pieces.
If you are interested in taking the best care of your stainless steel flatware as possible then you should be washing the pieces by hand. Clean the pieces using a gentle detergent and warm water. Dry the flatware immediately after washing by hand. If they are allowed to drip dry, streaking or spotting can occur. If a haze or blur occurs, a gentle silver polish can remove it.
Acidic and salty foods are more corrosive than others and should be removed from the stainless steel flatware as soon as possible. Remember to not use harsh abrasives or steel wool on stainless steel as it will scratch the surface and cause additional problems.
Cleaning dull stainless steel flatware
Materials needed: Bowls for mixing ingredients and soaking Rubber gloves Non gel toothpaste Lint-free soft cloths Paper towels Water Calgon water softener 1/4 cup measure Bleach Ammonia Silver polish Stainless steel cleaner: 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, 1 gallon very hot water
Caution: Use only on stainless steel, never use on real silver!
Mix 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, and 1 gallon of hot water. You can mix this in the sink or in any non-aluminum container. Immerse the stainless steel flatware in the solution for 30 minutes and then wash as usual, whether this be the dishwasher or by hand with dishwashing soap. For really tough spots, use a little non-gel toothpaste, or one part silver polish mixed with one part ammonia. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse and dry.
Tip: Do this only when the stainless really needs it, when it has that blue tint, probably every couple of months.
Stainless steel is well known for its durability and ability to stand up perfectly to everyday use. Chromium forms a hard oxide coating on the surface of flatware that makes it shine while protecting the steel on the inside. Over time and continued use along with use of dishwashing detergents this protective coating begins to wear off. Once the shell wears down the flatware will begin to lose its luster. This naturally happens to all flatware, though it should not happen for some time dependent upon the quality of the silver.
If your flatware is still relatively new and in good shape then there are a number of ways to clean it and restore some of its original shine. One method used to remove streaking is to take a soft dish towel and rub olive oil on the flatware; this should help remove streaks. You can also polish and shine stainless steel flatware by using vinegar and a soft cloth; this will help to remove heat stains from the flatware. If you dont have vinegar, club soda can be used.
Before you put your Towle stainless steel flatware into a dishwasher make sure you rinse any salty or acidic foods first. When utensils are put in the dishwasher and left to sit for several days, this does more harm to the flatware that daily washing does. Keep in mind that using harsh chemicals to clean stubborn foods from the flatware can result in dark spots on the pieces.
If you are interested in taking the best care of your stainless steel flatware as possible then you should be washing the pieces by hand. Clean the pieces using a gentle detergent and warm water. Dry the flatware immediately after washing by hand. If they are allowed to drip dry, streaking or spotting can occur. If a haze or blur occurs, a gentle silver polish can remove it.
Acidic and salty foods are more corrosive than others and should be removed from the stainless steel flatware as soon as possible. Remember to not use harsh abrasives or steel wool on stainless steel as it will scratch the surface and cause additional problems.
Cleaning dull stainless steel flatware
Materials needed: Bowls for mixing ingredients and soaking Rubber gloves Non gel toothpaste Lint-free soft cloths Paper towels Water Calgon water softener 1/4 cup measure Bleach Ammonia Silver polish Stainless steel cleaner: 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, 1 gallon very hot water
Caution: Use only on stainless steel, never use on real silver!
Mix 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, and 1 gallon of hot water. You can mix this in the sink or in any non-aluminum container. Immerse the stainless steel flatware in the solution for 30 minutes and then wash as usual, whether this be the dishwasher or by hand with dishwashing soap. For really tough spots, use a little non-gel toothpaste, or one part silver polish mixed with one part ammonia. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse and dry.
Tip: Do this only when the stainless really needs it, when it has that blue tint, probably every couple of months.
About the Author:
Shop online for contemporary flatware and find more discount flatware on sale at www.TowleStainlessFlatware.com
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