Stainless steel cutlery, as its name might suggest, is a special kind of metal that doesn't easily break down,
rust, or stain. However, with use or over time, your stainless steel utensils will likely become dirty and tarnished,
losing their shine and clean appearance. To clean your cutlery, you could make use of your dishwasher,
or you might have to use manual methods to break up stubborn stains and buildup. After that, with a little
extra effort, you can bring out a like-new shine in your utensils.
Method1:Removing Stubborn Stains and Buildup
1. Create your cleaning solution. In a small saucer, dish, bowl, or container, mix baking soda and liquid dish
soap until the two form a paste. This combination is excellent for breaking up tough dirtiness and difficult stains.
· A little bit goes a long way, and you can always mix more, so you may want to prepare a small amount
first to prevent any going to waste.
· Use your finger or a stirring tool, like a spoon, to thoroughly mix the baking soda and soap until the paste
is consistent throughout.
2.Apply the cleaning paste to your cutlery. You may want to clean your cutlery one at a time to ensure
nothing is missed, or you may want to do all of it at once to save time. Gently scrub your paste into dirty
areas with a nylon scrubber or a soft bristle brush to break up gunk and dirtiness.
· If you're trying to save time by cleaning your cutlery in a large batch, you may want to use a tub or bucket
to hold silverware and contain your cleaning paste.
· Using this special cleaning paste is especially useful for removing scorch marks and dark spots from your
cutlery. However, it may take some time and effort before the mark is removed.
3.Spot clean remaining stains. Even after your thorough cleaning with your baking soda/dish soap paste,
some stains might remain on your cutlery. If this is the case for you, use a clean nylon scrubber or soft
bristle brush to scrub these away with undiluted white vinegar.
· The surface of your stainless steel utensils can become scratched and cloudy over time by abrasive
cleaning tools. Even when using a nylon scrubber or soft bristle brush, clean dirty areas gently.
4. Rinse your cleaned cutlery and dry it. After all remaining food, stains, and other dirtiness have been
removed, you're nearly done. Rinse your cutlery under water and then use a soft, dry dishcloth to wipe
away excess moisture, as hand drying will help prevent the formation of spots.
· If, over the course of your drying, your towel has become especially wet, swap this out with a new one
that's clean and dry
Method2:Using a Dishwasher
1.Pre-clean your cutlery. Throwing your cutlery straight into the dishwasher can sometimes cause stubborn
bits of food or sauce to cake onto it. You can prevent this from happening by lightly cleaning silverware
before putting it into the dishwasher. Using dish soap and hot water:
· Thoroughly clean the cutlery. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or brushes, as these can scratch the finish
of your stainless steel. A soft dishcloth or sponge, however, is fine.
· Pay special attention to cracks, crevices, and other places food easily builds up when cleaning, including
the tines of forks and the bowls of spoons.
2.Place your cutlery into the dishwasher. Choose the setting on your dishwasher that best reflects the
condition of your cutlery. In most cases, a normal cycle should be sufficient, but especially dirty flatware
might require a heavy cycle. Turn off the drying cycle, if you are able. Then add a suitable detergent to
your dishwasher, close its door, then start the washing cycle.
· To make it easier to return the cutlery to its place in your kitchen, you may want to separate your spoons,
forks, and knives in your dishwasher.
· Some cutlery, especially certain kinds of spoons, can nest together in your dishwasher, making them
difficult for your dishwasher to clean. You may want to spread out utensils like this, so your dishwasher
can work most effectively.
3.Run additional cycles as necessary. Stainless steel sometimes requires several wash cycles before it is
completely clean. Older dishwashers and severely dirty cutlery, especially, might require a second run
through the dishwasher.
· Inspect your cutlery after each cycle for remaining food, stains, or dirtiness. If you spot any, your utensils
likely need a second cycle.
· Be careful when removing cutlery from your dishwasher to inspect it. Just after cleaning, the utensils
can be very hot.
4.Hand dry washed cutlery for best results. After your dishwasher's cleaning cycle is complete, remove
your cutlery from it. Even if the cutlery is mostly dry, thoroughly wipe each utensil with a soft, dry cloth
or a piece of paper towel. Drying by hand reduces spots left on your cutlery.
5.Remove heat streaks or residual stains. Stainless steel cutlery can become streaked due to food stains
or overexposure to heat. In most cases, these kinds of blemishes can be buffed away with a soft dishcloth
or polishing cloth. You can add a polishing agent to improve the end polish, like:
· Olive oil, which will help remove streaks from cutlery. Use a soft dishcloth, rag, or paper towel moistened
with olive oil to gently rub your cutlery with it to remove streaks.
· Mineral oil, much like olive oil, helps to reduce streaking. Moisten a soft dishcloth, rag, or paper toil
with the oil, then gently rub the cutlery until streaks are gone.
Method3:Bringing out the Shine in Your Cutlery
1.Use a specially formulated polish. There are many different kinds of specially designed polishing agents
for polishing stainless steel. You can often find products like these at your local grocery in the cleaning
section, at hardware stores, general retailers, and online retailers.[6]
· You should follow the label instructions on your polish for best results. Generally, spray some polisher
on a soft cloth and buff your cutlery until the metal is bright.
· Pay close attention to the warning on stainless steel polishers. Some formulas might not be intended
for use on eating utensils.
2.Buff your cutlery with lemon oil, alternately. Lemon oil will not only bring out the shine in your stainless
steel utensils, it will also leave behind the pleasing, refreshing scent of lemon. This common polishing
agent can be found at most grocery stores and general retailers. To use lemon oil to polish your cutlery:
· Apply a small amount of the oil to a soft, dry cloth, like a dishtowel or clean rag. In a pinch, paper towel
will also work for polishing.
3.Polish with the grain of the metal. Much like the grain of wood indicates the direction the wood appears
to flow in, so too will your stainless steel cutlery have a grain. You can generally expect that the grain
of stainless steel will either be vertical (up and down) or horizontal (left to right).
· Polishing with the grain of the metal with any polishing agent will improve the overall end appearance
of your cutlery.