How to care for your silverware

Whether it’s that antique, pure silver bowl given to you by your grandmother or that brand new sterling silver flatware set you were gifted on your wedding day, the last thing you want is for it to get spoilt with use. This is where we all go wrong. Says Samrat Zaveri, MD of shazé, “Sulphur present in the atmosphere can tarnish silver products and therefore regular use will actually help break the sulphur film on the surface.”

Sterling silver items like crockery, cutlery and puja plates can actually be used on a daily basis without much wear and tear if you learn how to clean them properly. “How often silver should to be cleaned totally depends on where it is placed in your modular kitchen and how often it is used,” he says.

Cleaning

It may be tempting to put your silver items especially flatware into the dishwasher but it is always better to clean it by hand. “Dinnerware and cutlery can be easily maintained by washing with a non-lemon based liquid soap, however ensure that the water is wiped off immediately after washing,” recommends Samrat.

Never leave sterling silver to soak over a long period as this can permanently damage the metal. Keep silver away from stainless steel while washing. Remember to use a soft cloth to completely dry your silver piece after washing.

“Using a toothbrush or scrub pads to clean silver is a big ‘No-No’ as the bristles are extremely abrasive and can easily scratch silver,” he warns. “For decorative products that are lacquered, frequent mild dusting with a soft cloth should suffice to keep it tarnish free surface for a long time.”

There are also quite a few home remedies that you should steer clear off. Says Samrat, “Common items like toothpaste, baking soda, Coca Cola, 7up, etc. that are used to clean silver may seem like easy remedies but are actually extremely abrasive on silver. These are chemical-laden and can easily damage it, reducing its lifespan.”