Cleaning Towle Stainless Steel Flatware

Stainless steel is essentially iron which has been infused with 10% or more chromium. It is good at resisting corrosion and rust through normal wear and tear but occasionally it will dull.

Stainless steel is noted for its hardness and ability to withstand everyday use. To make the flatware shine, chromium is used to form the hard oxide coating on the surface which protects the steel on the inside. Over time and use and with exposure to elements like dishwashing detergent, this hard protective shell slowly wears down. Frequently the exterior of flatware will dull and no longer retain its luster. This is a normal occurrence for all flatware, although it should not occur for quite some time, depending upon the initial quality of the silverware.

If your flatware is still relatively new and in good shape then there are a number of ways to clean it and restore some of its original shine. One method used to remove streaking is to take a soft dish towel and rub olive oil on the flatware; this should help remove streaks. You can also polish and shine stainless steel flatware by using vinegar and a soft cloth; this will help to remove heat stains from the flatware. If you don’t have vinegar, club soda can be used.

Before placing your Towle stainless steel flatware in the dishwasher try to rinse off salty or acidic foods. Sometimes people put utensils in a dishwasher and wait upwards of 3 days to run the dishwasher. This extended time will dull your stainless steel flatware quicker than daily washing. An important note is that detergents are harsh chemicals used to clean off stubborn foods but they can also damage your flatware if they come in contact with flatware which is wet; usually dark spots are the result.

If you want to take the time to properly care for your stainless steel flatware then washing by hand is the way to go. Simply clean the items with warm water and a gentle detergent and immediately dry the flatware by hand. Letting them drip dry will cause spotting and streaking. If a haze or blur occurs over time, a gentle silver polish can sometimes be used to remove this.

Acidic and salty foods are more corrosive than others and should be removed from the stainless steel flatware as soon as possible. Remember to not use harsh abrasives or steel wool on stainless steel as it will scratch the surface and cause additional problems.


How to clean dull stainless steel flatware...

Materials needed:

Bowls for mixing ingredients and soaking
Rubber gloves
Non gel toothpaste
Lint-free soft cloths
Paper towels
Water
Calgon water softener
1/4 cup measure
Bleach
Ammonia
Silver polish
Stainless steel cleaner: 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, 1 gallon very hot water

Note: Only use this on stainless steel, not real silver!

- Mix 1/4 cup chlorine bleach, 1/4 cup Calgon water softener, and 1 gallon of hot water. You can mix this in the sink or in any non-aluminum container.

- Immerse the stainless steel flatware in the solution for 30 minutes and then wash as usual, whether this be the dishwasher or by hand with dishwashing soap.

- For really tough spots, use a little non-gel toothpaste, or one part silver polish mixed with one part ammonia. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse and dry.

Tip: You only do this when the stainless really needs it — when it has that blue tint — probably every couple of months.