Caring for Cutlery

As with any other item in use, cutlery needs special treatment to prolong the life of it and ensure that when it’s washed, it comes out as clean as when it was bought. To help preserve the life of your cutlery, there are a number of steps that you can take.

Stains on Cutlery

Once cutlery has been used, it should never be left for any length of time with food on it. The cutlery either needs to be washed or rinsed immediately after use as prolonged contact with certain foods such as salt, eggs, acid fruits and vinegars can cause stains and marks to colour. Very hot grease, fats or meat juices can sometimes leave stubborn rainbow coloured stains on stainless steel - again this does not mean there is anything wrong with the product, the cutlery will be as good as new after the stain has been removed.

Washing Cutlery

When it comes to washing any cutlery in a dishwasher, put knives with their blades facing down in a separate compartment to the spoons and forks. To preserve the life of cutlery, always avoid using the rinse and hold cycle and as soon as the cleaning cycle is finished, remove cutlery and dry with a soft cloth. In some areas hard water may leave calcium spots, or certain foods and constant use of dishwasher may cause tarnishing; these stains may be removed using lemon juice, vinegar or a stainless steel cleaner. Misuse or a fault within a dishwasher can cause corrosion or staining to the highest grade of stainless steel - rust marks aren’t an indication of poor craftsmanship.

Avoid Scratching on Cutlery

Also with regular dishwashing, scratching can occur on knife blades - this is a direct result of the mechanical action of the dishwasher and salt concentrate remaining on the flat surface area of the blade. To prevent this happening, hand wash the knife blades in soapy water. Surface discolouration in the form of a rainbow can also occur; this is due to detergent drying on the cutlery and is a fault within the dishwasher's rinsing cycle. If a dishwasher is used, when the cycle finishes, open the door straightaway to avoid condensation on the cutlery.

Hand Washing and Polishing Cutlery

Hand Washing Cutlery

When it comes to hand washing cutlery, use a domestic liquid detergent and warm water, and then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Never leave cutlery soaking overnight. Common salt, vinegar, and acids present in some foods, bleaches and some harsh detergents can all seriously damage the cutlery if left without rinsing after use. Even mineral salts in tap water can cause pitting and staining. Be aware that citrus enhanced cleaning liquids such as lemon washing up liquid can speed up the corrosive process.

Polishing Cutlery

In order to keep the shine in stainless steel cutlery, remember to polish it to ensure that extra attention in caring for the cutlery. Finally, remember to never mix stainless steel and silver plated cutlery in the same dishwasher basket as this can corrode the steel.