How to care for silver-plated items

Silver-plated pieces are made to be used, at the dinner table, at events and every day. With a few simple habits they keep their shine for many years. Here is how we recommend caring for them.

After each use

• Wash by hand in warm water with a mild washing-up liquid.
• Use a soft sponge or cloth. Never use scouring pads, steel wool or abrasive powders: they scratch the silver layer.
• Rinse and dry straight away with a soft, clean cloth. Leaving water to dry on the surface causes spots.
• Avoid the dishwasher. Strong detergents and long hot cycles dull silver plating over time.

What to avoid

• Acidic food and liquids, especially lemon. Don’t leave lemon, vinegar, salad dressings or salty food sitting on silver for long periods.
• Rubber and plastic wrap. Rubber bands and some plastics speed up tarnishing.
• Contact with stainless steel in a drawer or a wash basin, which can mark the silver.

Polishing

Tarnish is a natural reaction between silver and the air. It is not damage and it comes off with the right product.

• Only use a good-quality silver polish. A low-quality or abrasive product can damage the plating.
• Apply it with a soft cloth or the sponge supplied with the polish, rubbing gently in straight lines rather than circles.
• Rinse, dry and buff with a clean soft cloth.

We sell the silver care products we use and recommend in our product care range, including an anti-tarnish polishing liquid and Hagerty polishing paste.

Storage

• When a piece is not used or displayed, store it in a soft cloth or nylon bag to slow down tarnishing.
• Keep cutlery in protective cotton sleeves so pieces don’t rub against each other.
• Store in a dry place. Humidity speeds up tarnishing.

When a piece needs more than polishing

Heavy daily use, knife cuts and exposure to acidic food can wear silver plating over the years. Our repair service restores pieces to their original shine and quality, for hotels, caterers and individuals.

Questions about caring for a specific piece? Message us on WhatsApp.