Hints from Heloise

Dear Readers: If you’re planning on bringing out your sterling silver for the upcoming holidays, use the following hints when washing:

1. Clean silverware in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. If your sterling silver is old or valuable, don’t put it in the dishwasher, because dishwasher detergent could discolor it after long-term use. Never place hollow-handled pieces in the dishwasher.

2. If you have silver-plated or less-valuable silver, put it in the dishwasher but remove before the drying cycle. Instead, dry with a soft towel to prevent spotting.

3. If the silverware needs polishing, use a polish created for silver. There are also silver polishing cloths or mitts.

FYI: Do not place sterling-silverware pieces next to stainless-steel flatware in the same basket in the dishwasher. It can cause electrolysis, which over time will remove the silver. – Heloise