Jackie Chiesa from William Ashley China came by to show Steven - and you at home - how best to care for your silverware and silver items. Here's a few tips from Jackie and William Ashley!

Watch this segment in episode 45 now!

• Take pleasure in your silver flatware, and set your table with it often. The precious metal "silver" functions as beautifully as it looks, and frequent use is the best way to keep it shining.
• Wash your silver promptly after use in hot, soapy water, and dry it with a soft cloth.
• Rinse your silver flatware as soon as possible after exposing it to acidic or sulfur-containing foods (e.g.. eggs, mayonnaise, vinaigrette sauce, shellfish).
• Take precautions in cleaning your silver in the dishwasher. Use a name brand of detergent in half of the manufacturers recommended amount. Please ensure that the dry cycle immediately follows the wash cycle, and then promptly remove your flatware from the humid dishwasher.


• Take extra care when cleaning certain pieces. All knives should be washed by hand as should any flatware accented with gold.
• Wipe your silver dry after hand or machine-washing to prevent water spots, as well as build-up of minerals that can be deposited by hard city water. The burnishing action of hand wiping will actually polish your flatware each time you dry it.
• Store your silver between uses in a dry place in your home. Protect your flatware from tarnishing from the sulfur in the air by keeping it in silver storage flannels or specially designed racks lined with tarnish preventative fabric.
• For removing tarnish - avoid dips, as these can be hard on your flatware.
• Expect you silver to take on a warmer finish over time, as tiny surface lines accumulate to create a soft glowing patina. Do rotate your flatware to ensure that the various pieces in your set maintain a consistent appearance over time.

PLEASE AVOID:

• Loading stainless steel flatware or other metal items - such as pots, cookie sheets or vegetable peelers - in the dishwasher with your silver flatware. An electrochemical reaction can take place between the two metals that will mark them both.
• Overloading the detergent cup when cleaning your flatware in the dishwasher. Never add detergent until you are ready to activate the machine.
• Storing you silver flatware in newspaper, or bind it with rubber bands. These substances will react with the silver, causing permanent discolouration.
• Putting flatware in direct contact with a metal sink, as the sink itself is very abrasive to the flatware. Line the bottom and sides of your sink with a rubber protector.
• Soaking your silver for extended periods of time, as this will contribute to staining as well as pitting of knife blades. If it is not possible to wash your flatware directly after use, simply rinse it clean with warm water, then put aside for proper cleaning later.

Visit William Ashley online at:
http://www.williamashley.com/