Polishing Silver Flatware
Several times a year, my housekeepers take on the task of cleaning and polishing a collection of silver - well ahead of any holiday entertaining.
This week Elvira and Enma tackled several drawers of flatware in my servery - washing every single piece, applying a quality commercial polish, soaping and rinsing, and then finally drying with a soft cloth. It's a time-consuming task, but keeping items clean and polished is the best way to bring out their beauty and prevent too much tarnish from developing.
Here are some photos and tips, enjoy.
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- I use these silver pieces often for entertaining, so I like to keep them clean, polished, and at the ready at all times. This silver was polished a few months ago. It still looks good and doesn’t have to be cleaned just yet. My housekeepers keep good track of what pieces need polishing. 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.
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- Here is another drawer done not too long ago. These spoons are still well organized.
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- In this drawer, the right side is newly polished and the left side is lightly tarnished and waiting to be cleaned – do you see the difference?
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- First, Elvira wets all the pieces to be cleaned in warm water. Be mindful of using water that is too cold or too hot as silver can react to extreme temperature changes over time.
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- Then, each piece is coated 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.
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- 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. I’ve been using Wright’s for years.
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- Elvira places a terry cloth towel on the bottom of the sink, so the metal doesn’t bang against any surfaces. I do this whenever washing delicate china pieces too – just in case something slips through the hands.
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- There are actually several ways to clean silver. A frequently recommended, nontoxic method is to fill an aluminum pan with hot water, add 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 desirable antique patina. Silver cleaning cloths made especially for removing tarnish from precious metals are also available, but experts recommend using a good-quality, non-abrasive commercial silver polish.
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- Next, the polish is rinsed off in warm water. These spoons are looking great already.
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- Then the spoons are washed with dish soap to ensure all the cream is removed.
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- And finally they are thoroughly rinsed once again.
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- Each spoon is carefully washed of all the polish and soap.
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- Look how clean these spoons are.
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- The finished pieces are dried and placed on another towel, so they can be sorted before being put away. Do not let silver air dry, because water left standing can cause spotting.
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- One by one, the polished dry pieces are placed on the counter ready to be returned to their designated drawer. 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 like I do, try to rotate the pieces, so everything gets some use during the course of the year.
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- When I designed my servery, I made sure it had many shallow drawers specifically designated for storing silver spoons, forks, and knives. All the drawers are lined with removable, soft liners. These 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.
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- Once in the drawer, the spoons are organized by size, function, and style. Spoons also come in many interesting forms – teaspoon, dessert spoon, table spoon, sugar spoon, spoons for basting, spoons for scooping, and even spoons for sifting.
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- This drawer is specifically used to store my mother of pearl flatware. Mother-of-pearl, nacre, is a glowing, pearlescent material that’s used to make flatware handles, jewelry and ornaments. Mother-of-pearl comes from the inside of oyster and abalone shells. Both silver and those with special handles should never be placed 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.
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- I’ve purchased many of my pieces from antiques fairs and shops over the years. I try to buy sets whenever I can. When buying antique or vintage silver flatware, always check the lengths of the prongs on the forks and the ends of the bowls on the spoons. These are the two areas which get the most wear. And check to make sure any decoration is also intact.
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- On the left, spoons that were newly polished – on the right, forks that are in queue for cleaning. Another tip: when storing silver, keep it away from high humidity and high heat.
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- And do you know… knives were the first pieces of flatware used at the table? In fact, knives, or pointed personal “weapons,” sometimes became the source of many dangerous and violent meal gatherings. In 1669, King Louis XIV of France banned pointed knives at the table in an effort to curtail violence. In the 1700s, the blunt-ended table knife became much more popular. Knives and various spades were made for cutting and spreading – for cutting fish, poultry, fruits, desserts, and butter. And there were special knives for using only at lunch, and some only at dinner. Polishing silver regularly will restore and maintain their luster, and keep them ready for that next special occasion.
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