Polishing Silver Forks and Spoons
It’s always so rewarding to complete various time-consuming chores around the home. After several cleaning and polishing sessions, my collection of silver flatware is shimmering once again.
Recently, after a dinner party at my Bedford, New York farm, my housekeepers took on the task of cleaning and polishing my drawers of silver. There are a few ways to clean silver. One nontoxic method is to fill an aluminum pan with hot water, salt and baking soda, stir until it is all dissolved, and then soak the pieces until a chemical reaction occurs that removes the tarnish. This technique is faster than hand cleaning but may cause pitting and remove the more desirable tarnish called patina. Silver cleaning cloths made especially for removing tarnish from precious metals are also available. Many experts recommend using a good-quality, non-abrasive commercial silver polish. I have been using Wright’s Silver Cream for years and love how it works.
Enjoy these photos of our process. And remember, there are more tips on storing and maintaining silver in my book, "The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything" - in bookstores now.
-
- In my Winter House servery, I have several shallow drawers specifically designated for storing silver spoons, forks, and knives. Enma carefully removes a grouping of spoons to be washed and polished. These pieces are very lightly tarnished – some pieces don’t even look tarnished at all, but it is always a good idea to clean silver regularly, so it doesn’t develop a thick coat of tarnish that is harder to remove.
-
- Whenever cleaning precious silver, always use a soft moistened sponge. A soft cloth can also work well.
-
- Wright’s Silver Cream is a gentle all-purpose polish that works on all types of silver. It also works nicely on stainless steel and chrome and comes in a big tub. http://jawright.com/Silver-Clean-Polish/Silver-Cream-4-lb
-
- Enma applies a small amount of silver cream onto this spoon. For intricate areas, you can also use a cotton-tipped swab to apply the cleaner.
-
- Enma coats the piece completely with the silver cream. The silver will start to brighten as it is rubbed. Always use silver polishes that are non-abrasive, and opt for formulas, such as creams and gels instead of sprays. It’s also a good idea to use gloves when taking on this task, so the cleaning cream does not come into contact with the skin.
-
- Place a terry cloth towel on the bottom of the sink, so the metal doesn’t bang against any surfaces. I also do this whenever washing delicate china pieces – just in case something slips through the hands.
-
- After cleaning with the silver cream, Enma washes the spoons with water and dish soap to ensure all the cream is removed. These spoons look very shiny.
-
- The pieces are passed to Sanu who dries the silver thoroughly right away with a soft towel to avoid any water-marks. Do not let your silver air dry, because water left standing can cause spotting.
-
- The finished pieces are placed on another towel, so they can be sorted before being put away.
-
- Once the drawer is emptied, it is wiped down with a damp cloth and dried.
-
- Here, Sanu returns a clean piece of shelf liner in the bottom of the drawer. These shelf liners are available at any kitchen supply store. I like to use non-adhesive grip liners. They stay firmly in place and provide a bit of cushioning for the silver.
-
- Next, Sanu carefully returns the spoons back inside the drawer, lining them up with other like pieces.
-
- I have thousands of silver spoons, forks, and knives – many purchased from antiques fairs and shops over the years. I love using them whenever I entertain, so polishing three or four times a year is generally sufficient to keep everything in good condition.
-
- Some are easy to group together because of their interesting handles and stems.
-
- Some handles have very unique shapes. Look for similarly shaped pieces in case you need them for larger parties.
-
- Sanu carefully looks at each piece to make sure it is grouped properly. And never place any silver in the dishwasher. The detergents’ aggressive chemicals, combined with the washer’s high cleaning temperature, will eventually turn the silver grey or white, with a dull, non-reflective surface.
-
- These spoons are organized by size and style – notice how similar they are, but none are exactly the same.
-
- Like spoons are stacked with the stems slightly spread, so they can be counted without being touched.
-
- This style handle is quite popular, but notice the slight bend at the spoon’s tip, which differentiates it from some others in my collection.
-
- Here is a finished drawer of different spoons. Since silver can easily get scratched or dented you have to handle it with care. That includes storing it so that items don’t bang into one another.
-
- Here is a drawer of butter knives with different shaped blades and handles. Another tip for storing silver – keep it away from high humidity and high heat.
-
- And here are some of my many, many silver forks.
-
- Try to make time to use precious silver when entertaining – regular use is the best way to prevent tarnish from forming. If you have a large collection, try to rotate the pieces, so everything gets some use during the course of the year.
-
- And always wash silver soon after using, since any salt and acidic foods can cause damage and pitting.
-
- The joy of owning beautiful silver flatware does require some work to keep it looking beautiful, but it is all well worth the effort. Happy summer-entertaining!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
