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Polishing flatware

The right care for your flatware Preparation for polishing Care tips for your flatware How to keep your flatware shiny

Content

At a glance

Only clean suitable flatware in the dishwasher
Polish delicate silverware with special silver polish and a polishing cloth
Always use a low concentration of rinsing agent
Microfiber cloths are practical for polishing stainless steel flatware
Remove rust film on flatware with toothpaste or ceramic cooktop cleaner

The right care for your flatware

There are many different types of flatware, knives and forks, and different ways to clean and care for them, depending on the materials they are made of, and the metal alloys used. Make sure that your flatware is dishwasher-safe and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that your flatware remains beautiful for a long time.
Stainless steel flatware is very easy to clean and can usually be cleaned in the dishwasher. Dry it well afterwards to prevent limescale stains. Silverware should be cleaned separately from stainless steel flatware to prevent discoloration. Gold-plated flatware, such as that from the MetroChic collection, should not be cleaned in the dishwasher to avoid damaging the gold alloy. Use a soft cloth for cleaning.
We have compiled the following instructions to help you polish your flatware.

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Gentle polishing of stainless steel flatware

There are various simple household products that you can use to polish stainless steel flatware. Use baking soda to give your tarnished stainless steel flatware a new shine. There are also special stainless steel cleaners and rinse aids suitable for polishing stainless steel flatware.
After you have cleaned your flatware, briefly dampen it with warm water. Then apply some flatware cleaner to a soft cloth and gently polish, working lengthwise. Then remove any remaining polish with warm water and dry the flatware thoroughly before placing it in the flatware drawer.

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Polishing silverware

Silver polish and a flatware polishing cloth are ideal to give silverware a new shine. The cloth should be soft, so as not to damage the surface of the silver. Apply a small amount of silver polish to the cloth, and polish the flatware with a little pressure. Then rinse briefly with warm water and dry well.

Do you know how to prevent discoloration on silverware? One trick is to use the flatware frequently, which will prevent it from tarnishing.

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Cleaning chrome-plated flatware

To polish chrome-plated, brass or copper flatware, you can use special polishing agents, as for silverware, or vinegar. Dilute vinegar with plenty of water in a spray bottle, and spray onto each piece of flatware. Then polish the flatware gently with a soft cloth. When the flatware is shiny again, rinse it under running water. You can use a little dish soap to remove any vinegar smell. Then, as always, dry your flatware carefully!

Preparation for polishing

The right accessories are essential to ensure that your flatware shines like new. Depending on whether you want to polish stainless steel flatware from the Villeroy & Boch Daily Line or silverware from the La Classica range, you will need different accessories. We will explain this process to you.

Choosing the right polishing cloth

There are different types of cloth which are suitable for polishing flatware. A microfiber cloth or a soft cotton cloth is usually sufficient for stainless steel. More delicate materials, however, will benefit from more gentle treatment. A soft woven cotton cloth without abrasive fibers is ideal for silver-plated flatware. With an extra soft cloth, your flatware will quickly look as good as new.
When polishing, always make sure to work lengthwise to bring out the shine. The cloth should be applied to the flatware smoothly, without any unnecessary creases. In addition, always use a clean cloth for polishing, and always wash it according to the instructions. Otherwise, the detergent may roughen the fibers or cause a reaction with the flatware material.

Dosage and consistency of the polishing agent

There are numerous polishes and pastes on the market that are suitable for flatware and are designed to improve the result of polishing. Household products such as vinegar or baking soda can also be used to polish flatware, and help to make your flatware shine again. When choosing a polishing agent, pay attention to the type of material. Stainless steel flatware such as the Mademoiselle series from Villeroy & Boch, is relatively robust, and can be treated with most polishing agents. Silverware or stainless steel flatware with a gold or silver alloy, on the other hand, is more sensitive, and should only be used with appropriate polishing agents.
Regardless of which polishing agent you use, choose the lowest possible dosage. Dilute vinegar with water and ideally spray it onto the flatware. Put baking soda on a soft, damp cloth and then rub it on slowly. Professional polishes should be applied to the flatware in the lowest possible dosage and concentration to prevent damage.

Moistening flatware before polishing

Moisture is a key component in the care of flatware. While flatware should be dried well after washing, a little moisture is definitely an advantage when polishing. Depending on which polishing agent or household product you use, for the best results, moisten the flatware a little before polishing.

If you are using a product that is applied with a sponge or cloth, it can be helpful to moisten the sponge or cloth beforehand. Baking soda, for example, is a practical household product for polishing flatware, but is only effective if it is applied with a moistened cloth. Please note: This only applies to robust stainless steel. Silverware is more sensitive and should therefore be treated with caution!

Factors influencing the results of polishing

There are various factors that influence how flatware looks after polishing. In addition to the points above, there are other factors that affect the result, including the temperature of the flatware and the outside temperature. When the flatware is fresh out of the dishwasher, it is often still very warm and reacts differently to polishing than cold flatware. However, there is no general rule that applies to all flatware. Basically, you will have to test the conditions under which you achieve the best results from polishing for your flatware.

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Care tips for your flatware

In general, you should only put flatware in the dishwasher that is explicitly dishwasher-safe. Most of the flatware in the Villeroy & Boch range can be washed in the dishwasher. However, it is preferred to clean some products by hand.
If your flatware is dishwasher-safe, ensure that you do not overload the flatware basket, otherwise the pieces of flatware may get scratched against one another. Before putting it in the dishwasher, clean your flatware with clean water to remove acidic foodstuffs. Place all flatware items in the flatware basket with the handle facing downwards. Descale the dishwasher regularly to prevent stains and discoloration, and dry the flatware immediately after the wash cycle to prevent limescale stains.

How to use microfiber cloths to clean flatware

Preventing flash rust on flatware

Cleaning flash rust from flatware

How to keep your flatware wonderfully shiny

Not everyone has a flatware polisher at home, and so it is important to know how to polish your flatware by hand so that it retains its shine in the long term. It's not just classic stainless steel flatware, such as the Villeroy & Boch Louis collection, that benefits from regular polishing. High-quality, elegant, or gold or silver-plated flatware will also benefit from a little care and attention.

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