Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500345
06/24/03
Cleaning Silver Flatware
Wash in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and dry
immediately.
Do not let hollowhandled silverware or hollow ware
stand in water as a combination of heat, water, and
detergent may loosen soldering.
Washing in a Dishwasher
Silverware may be washed in the dishwasher but the
patina on fine silver is enhanced by the rubbing that
occurs when washing and drying by hand. Hollow handles
may be loosened with exposure to heat and detergent in
the dishwasher.
Electrolytic methods of cleaning with aluminum-salt-
soda are not recommended for cleaning silver with an
oxidized or French gray finish.
Do not spill dry dishwasher detergent on flatware; it
may cause dark spots.
If washing both silverware and stainless steel
flatware in the dishwasher, do not put in the same basket
section or let one metal touch the other, or the silver
may be permanently damaged.
New sterling silverware sometimes gets brown spots
after washing in the dishwasher. Sterling is 92 1/2%
silver and 7 1/2% other alloys including copper for
greater durability. In automatic dishwashing, a reaction
can occur between water droplets and the small portion of
copper at the surface to cause brown spots on some
pieces. After the silverware has been washed several
times, the copper on the surface is gone and the surface
is pure silver. Avoid such spotting on new silverware by
washing and drying new silverware by hand for the first
few uses.
If you want to use the dishwasher, follow these
precautions:
1. Use the automatic rinse dispenser feature of a
dishwasher. The rinse agent lowers the surface tension of
the rinse water so it sheets off the surfaces and
droplets don't form.
Or use a rinse agent in solid form that hangs on the
dishwasher rack, if your dishwasher does not have an
automatic rinse dispenser.
2. Remove new silverware from the dishwasher immediately
after the last rinse cycle and towel dry for the first
few times.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the Soap and
Detergent Association.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .