It’s time to deep clean your silverware. Here’s how

Our forks and spoons are the most important Equipment in our kitchen To keep clean. What other piece of cookware goes straight into our mouths? (Frequently. Several times a day.) So, this begs the question: How clean is your everyday silverware? Whether you have dishwasher Or regular employment cleaning handsAre you sure you are actually getting all the debris from between the tines of the fork? How about individual grains of rice or sticky or peeled egg yolks sauce?

What about mineral buildup or rust on your silverware? While trace amounts of these elements are probably harmless, according to… US Department of AgricultureRust is not considered food safe and can flake off and be ingested, so why risk it?

At the very least, it’s worth giving your silverware a little extra attention the next time you load the dishwasher or fill the sink with sudsing foam, and you might want to consider giving it a deep clean every once in a while. I spoke to cleaning expert, Toby Schulz, CEO and founder of Maid2Matchfor his best tips on making sure you get your everyday silverware as clean as possible.

Hand washing is best

It’s good news for those who don’t have access to a dishwasher. According to Schulz, hand washing gives the best results for cleaning silverware. “It’s best to hand wash your silverware if possible,” he said. “Using a dishwasher can tarnish the silverware and remove the patina, and you’ll have more control over the cleaning process, too.”

You’re more willing to pay attention to what might be stuck to your silverware when washing it by hand, especially if you’re not used to pre-rinsing when loading the dishwasher.

For best hand-washing results, “remove visible food residue such as dried sauce or stuck-on rice to prevent any buildup or risk of mold,” Schultz said. “Also, use soft-bristled tools or non-abrasive sponges, as abrasive cleaners like detergent can scratch or mar the finish.” Forks in particular have the ability to accommodate pieces in their many spaces, so make sure you are precise but gentle when getting between the teeth.

Soaking doesn’t do you any good either, nor is it a useful substitute for proper hand washing. “You shouldn’t soak your silverware for too long, because that can lead to rust,” Schultz said, which is probably not something you check regularly, especially on the tiniest surfaces of the forks.

Dishwasher success

You’re probably used to throwing all kinds of things CookwareThe cutlery and cutlery are in the dishwasher with the same detergents and one-size-fits-all settings. If so, you’re probably not doing your silverware any favors when it comes to keeping it in a clean and safe condition. (I may not own a dishwasher, but I certainly do with laundry.)

“You can wash your everyday silverware in the dishwasher, but with a few caveats,” Schultz said. The following best practices are recommended to optimize the dishwasher cleaning cycle, to prevent tarnishing, corrosion, mineral build-up and rust:

• Use an acid-free cleaner, so it doesn’t contain citric acid or citrus additives.
• Do not wash silverware with the same load as stainless steel.
• Avoid washing silverware in the same cycle as dishes or pans that may contain acidic food residue, such as tomato sauce.
• Always use the gentle cycle, or whatever the lightest setting in your dishwasher is. The high heat cycle and drying cycle can damage silverware.
• Always dry the silverware by hand afterwards.

Drying and storing silverware

This last point is probably the one that none of us, dishwasher or hand wash users alike, do regularly, but it’s especially important for keeping your silverware looking its cleanest and best.

“You should always dry your silverware immediately after washing to prevent water spots or mineral deposits from hard water,” no matter what method you use to clean it, Schultz said. “Store in a cool, dry place,” he said. “Improper storage can also lead to distortion and dust accumulation.” Having a dedicated silverware drawer is best, which is bad news for those who enjoy the country charm of keeping your silverware in an open case or bowl on the countertop, but this risks not only the possibility of dust, but also cooking grease and moisture on your silverware. .

Occasional deep cleaning

For kitchen items that you regularly put directly in your mouth, you may want to consider deep cleaning occasionally, although if you follow the tips above, this won’t be necessary. “If you clean your silverware regularly, a deep cleaning is not needed unless you notice dirt accumulating, or your silverware is starting to oxidize or tarnish,” Schultz said, but for an extra measure of safety, they should be deep cleaned. Cleaning silverware is easy with basic kitchen tools and ingredients you probably already have on hand.

For a quick fix, “If your silverware is oxidized, you can sprinkle some baking soda on the lemon pieces and scrub the pieces,” says Schultz. He added: “Do not leave the cleaning solution on for more than two minutes. Wash it well with soap and water, then dry it.” Water stains can also be removed with simple lemon juice or white vinegar, but again, it’s important to rinse and dry them.

For a more thorough deep clean, Schultz recommends the following procedure:

1. Start with a glass container lined with aluminum foil, or an aluminum baking pan.
2. Sprinkle the bottom with 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and sea salt or kosher salt.
3. Slowly add half a cup of white vinegar, followed by a cup of freshly boiled water.
4. Place the silverware in the bowl or pan, making sure they do not overlap.
5. The pieces should touch the aluminum. Let it soak for about half a minute, then remove it with tweezers.
6. Polish it with a clean microfiber cloth afterwards.

For more tips on cleaning the kitchen, see the magic recipe to get it Stubborn stains from cookware And how to clean a Burnt cast iron skillet.