Is this an exciting topic or what?!?
Hi HomeHaven Buddies.
As a TOMBOY gone Domestic, I just couldn't let this topic go unmentioned as I learned a bunch of tidbits that I truly hadn't paid attention to or heard before.
I know if I existed on the PLANET there are others that haven't heard this news either.
It's about caring for Stainless Steel Flatware or where I came from Silverware (that's not silver) and used everyday to eat with.
Truthfully, one of the big reasons the family that I grew up in used utensils made out of easy care materials was to simplify life. I carried this knowledge into my marriage of 35 years.
In fact, the wedding gift from my Parents was a set of stainless steel flatware that we called silverware that doesn't have any silver in it for easy care and everyday use utensils.
As I was reading how to care for my new set of 6 demitasse spoons that are dishwasher safe and never needs polishing with a 25 year limited warranty that I bought on BLACK FRIDAY, I was reading things I didn't know about concerning the care of easy care Stainless Steel Flatware that I continue to call Silverware.
Boy, have I made mistakes with caring for easy to care for silverware which isn't actually silver, but stainless steel! I have soaked my everyday easy to care for utensils over night in the kitchen sink...a huge no-no.
Perhaps you are way more sophisticated than I and I'm sure you are...I am blessed to know you...and you already know all there is to know about caring for easy to care for Stainless Steel Flatware that we call Silverware even when it's not silver for everyday use to eat with.
Here are some hints/tips my 6 piece set came with:
*Wash flatware prior to using for the first time. (I'm safe here.)
*Avoid soaking stainless steel flatware in water for a prolonged period of time or overnight. (OOPS...and again I say OOPS. I am so quilty.)
*Before placing in washer, rinse food from flatware. (OOPS!)
*When loading your dishwasher, make sure knife blades do not come into contact with other utensils. This will prevent blades from nicking or scratching other pieces. (We don't have a dishwasher right now, but when we did...Oh no...again quilty.)
*Use mild non-chloride detergent. Never pour detergent directly onto flatware. (Oh OOPS again.)
*In hard water areas, use a water-softening agent to avoid spotting or pitting.
(I am so bad...did the literature actually say pitting?)
*Always remove stainless flatware from the dishwasher shortly after the drying cycle is complete. Avoiding prolonged exposure to this moist and hot environment is best for the care of your flatware. (Oh dear, how many times have I left the flatware in the dryer over night? Countless.)
*Should detergent film build up on your flatware, wash (either by hand or in a dishwasher) and hand-dry to remove film. (I haven't experienced this yet, but at the rate I'm going, it won't be long.)
*If stubborn stains or rust should occur, use a non-abrasive stainless or metal polish paste or cream. Avoid grainy cleaners. (New adventure.)
*Limit exposure to water that has a high mineral content, high-chloride dishwashing detergent and foods that contain chloride (table salt, mustard, mayonnaise and eggs) as pitting or spotting may occur. (I'll probably get arrested for this one...definately have done over exposure!)
The ideal method for washing gold-accented, gold plated or frosted stainless steel is to wash seperately and by hand.
When washing by hand, remember to:
*Use a mild dishwashing liquid.
*Rinse in hot water.
*Immediately dry pieces completely with a soft cloth.
Oh my goodness...you know Santa Claus is coming to town. Perhaps we will want to put an order in for new stainless steel flatware that we replace our old stainless steel flatware with that we call silverware to use everyday for a simpler lifestyle so we have more free time to enjoy life!
God bless us as we tend to the details of home life.
~Deanna~
