Care of Silver Plated Cutlery

On new silver tiny scratches occur and they tend to be more noticeable simply because it is new.  Don't worry about this.  These little scratches gradually build to produce a rich "patina."  It is this patina which gives silver much of its appeal.  The older it is the more mellow it looks due to this "patina"

     Silver resists corrosion but tarnish is a natural occurance and a reaction to chemicals in the air or from contact with certain foodstuff such as eff.  This develops as an oxide layer.  It is not harmful, it is merely cosmetic.  The tarnish will start of as gold and can turn bluish black.

Store cutlery in a drawer, a cutlery "roll" or a canteen and rinse off food as soon as you can.

Occasionally polish with a silver polish and a soft cloth.  You can buy "long term" silver polish so you rarely have to do this or you can use a silver dip.

If you use a silver dip don't leave cutlery immersed for longer than a few seconds and be very careful not to get the solution onto any stainless steel blades or it will etch tem.  if it does, rinse it off straight away.

Badly tarnished items can be cleaned by immersion in a hot solution of washing soda.  You will need about 15 grams to 2.5. lites.  First place aluminium foil in the bottom of a bowl and lay the cutlery on the foil.  Cover with the solution and leave for a few minutes.

We recommend hand washing for silver plated cutlery - just to be on the safe side. If you wash it in the same water as stainless steel cutlery you can damage it.

The Cutlery and Catering Shop