What Causes Stainless Steel Flatware to Darken?

Stainless Steel

• Stainless steel is generally made of a low-carbon steel mixed with carbon at rate of 10 percent or more by weight, according to the Lunt Silver website. Some manufacturers offer stainless steel composition that is 18 percent chromium with a 10 percent quantity of nickel. The additional chromium adds to the corrosion resistance of the flatware, while the nickel adds to the luster of the finish. This provides a high-quality material that lasts for years.

Care

• To keep the finish on your stainless steel flatware looking its best, remove food residues that are high in salt and acidic substances. Foods such as tea, coffee, mayonnaise, tomato sauce and citrus foods can damage the finish of stainless steel. Rinse these materials off the flatware as soon as possible after use. Place stainless steel flatware forks and spoons into dishwasher utensil baskets with tines and bowls upward and handles down. Knives should be loaded into the machine with points downward to prevent injury. Avoiding overcrowding the flatware in the baskets will allow better cleaning of surfaces.

Problems

• Avoid pouring dishwasher detergent on flatware, as this can also darken the finish. Place stainless steel flatware in a dishwasher basket further away from the dispensing unit. Washing other types of metal at the same times as stainless steel flatware can cause pits, rust spots and other discolorations. Use of the hot-air drying feature on the dishwasher can also discolor stainless steel flatware. Do not allow foods to sit on your stainless flatware for long periods of time before running through a wash cycle.

Rejuvenating

• Over time, the small amount of chromium in the stainless steel in flatware causes the finish to dull and darken. A darkened or bluish appearance can occur after a period of use and a number of washing cycles. To remove this discoloration mix ¼ cup chlorine bleach and ¼ cup powdered household water softener into a gallon of hot water in a plastic tub or sink. Place the stainless flatware into the mixture and allow it to sit for 30 minutes, according to the TowleStainlessFlatware site. Then wash the flatware as usual by hand or in a normal cycle in the dishwasher.