Hey, we know you! You’re the type of high-standards chef who makes an investment in premium stainless steel cutlery for their restaurant – rather than buying a cheap set of restaurant silverware that feels chintzy and loses its luster within months. We know you care enough to pay for quality, and you expect it to last.
We can help! Read on for tips for cleaning commercial flatware that’ll help you keep it strong and sparkling for longer.
How you clean your restaurant silverware matters
Lower-quality flatware weights will most definitely buckle under the pressures of a commercial kitchen, but even premium flatware will start to lose its shine if you’re careless in your cleaning methods.
Share these tips with any staff members who clean or polish cutlery – from your dishwashers to your servers – so they know how to protect your gorgeous silverware and keep it looking new as long as possible.
Commercial flatware cleaning don’ts
Whether you’re cleaning butter knives, salad forks, or a buffet’s worth of serving spoons, avoid these hard-on-cutlery habits:
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners. The abrasive components in scrubs and powders can leave scratch marks on your silverware and make them less shiny. If there’s food stuck to your flatware, let it soak for a few minutes in warm water, or create a baking soda paste to scrub it ever-so-gently with a soft rag – never wire wool.
- Don’t soak for too long. Don’t overdo the soaking! When silverware soaks for too long, it becomes more likely to tarnish and rust. Plus, warm water is a breeding ground for bacteria, so your cutlery actually becomes dirtier the longer it soaks! Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then put it into the dishwasher.
- Don’t use bleach. Bleach is way too harsh for your cutlery – it can destroy silver plating and damage even the toughest stainless steel. While it’s important to kill germs, bleach can create rusty or tarnished spots on your silverware that actually promote bacteria growth, so in the long run, bleach is a poor choice for cleaning.
- Don’t use high heat. Stainless steel cutlery is tough, but it isn’t indestructible. Extremely high heats – like the heat dry setting on your dishwasher – can cause flatware to warp, bend, and discolor. Plus, very high heat can cause your knives to become duller. Skip that setting and allow cutlery to air dry.
- Don’t mix flatware types. Time for a chemistry lesson! When silver-plated flatware is washed with stainless steel cutlery, it can cause a galvanic reaction. Tiny bits of the stainless steel metals attach themselves to the silver, encouraging pitting and dark spots on the softer metal. If your flatware lineup consists of silver-plated and stainless steel cutlery, it’s best to wash them separately.
- Don’t dry with dirty towels. When you dry your cutlery, make sure the towels you’re using are fresh and clean – anything less will carry germs and transfer oils and food particles to your flatware.
Commercial flatware cleaning do’s
Sparkling-clean cutlery is a joy to behold, and these tips will help you get it right every time.
- Do rinse immediately. Used flatware should hit the water as soon as it’s bussed from the table. Don’t soak it for more than 15 minutes, but do rinse it with water as soon as you can to prevent food particles from sticking fast.
- Do use the correct detergent. No matter how dirty your utensils, harsh chemicals are never your friend. For stainless steel flatware, use high-alkaline dishwasher powders or liquids, and for silver-plated pieces, use silver-specific detergents. And never wash them together.
- Do load the dishwasher without too much cramming. A busy restaurant eventually becomes a stressed-out washing staff, but resist the temptation to cram your dishwasher too full. Too many items in the dishwasher can stop them each from getting the cleaning they need, and if they’re resting on one another, they can scrape and scratch.
- Do sprinkle with vinegar before drying. A quick dash of vinegar on your still-hot-from-the-wash cutlery will improve its shine. Polish off immediately to avoid the acidic vinegar sitting on the flatware too long.
- Do use a soft, clean towel. A soft – never scratchy – towel is perfect for drying and polishing. If you’ve noticed water spots, you can rinse your silverware with a splash of boiling water, followed by vinegar, and then immediately rub them with a clean towel until completely dry.
- Do check your water regularly. Hard water is tough on your silverware. Test it for high levels of lime and other elements that can stick to your flatware and utensils, leaving marks and eventually causing them to rust and deteriorate.
Bonus! A super-handy trick for cleaning tarnished silver
If your tablescape features silver-plated cutlery, you know it’s both gorgeous and difficult to clean if it becomes tarnished. Never fear – we have a trick for that, too!
- Line a pan or bowl with aluminum foil with the shiny side up.
- Place your tarnished silver cutlery on the foil.
- Pour boiling water over it and add baking soda.
- Let it sit for a few minutes. It might fizz as the tarnish is drawn off the silver.
- Hand wash, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Fine dining establishments choose quality
In the market for a flatware overhaul for your club or restaurant? Just because you’re buying in bulk doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Fine dining restaurants choose top-notch wholesale flatware to complete their table settings because it:
- Looks nicer on the tablescape: An attractive tablescape is part of an exceptional dining experience, and good quality flatware helps you create it.
- Feels weightier – and more impressive – in the hand: When diners hold good silverware, they can tell it’s been crafted with care. That gravitas lends credibility to your entire establishment, telling diners that they’re in for a 5-star experience.
- Lasts longer and retains its shine: 18/10 premium stainless steel is the most durable on the market, mixing the right balance of metals for optimal strength and shine. It’s resistant to stains, nearly-indestructible in the dishwasher, and retains its sparkle for longer.
We supply quality silverware in a wide selection of styles from modern to elegant to casual. Talk to our sales team to find the right flatware for your restaurant or club