What Causes Brown Spots on Flatware?

Cause

• Even though silver flatware is made of silver, it is not pure silver. Silver flatware is a mixture of mostly silver and a bit of another metal, usually copper. The ratio of metals is most often just over 90 percent silver and less than 10 percent copper. When your silver flatware comes in contact with water, the water can create a chemical reaction with the copper inside the flatware. This creates brown spots where water droplets have landed on the silver flatware.

Significance

• The brown spots that appear on silver flatware over time can lower its financial value, as well as making it less aesthetically pleasing and more difficult to pass down to loved ones. These brown spots can also make it more time-consuming to maintain the flatware because it will need more frequent polishing to maintain its shine.

Prevention

• When water droplets or moisture come in contact with the copper in the silver flatware, they will discolor the silver as they dry. Hand-drying your silver flatware and never leaving it to air-dry will prevent brown spots. Silver can be washed in the dishwasher, but it should be washed immediately after use. Leaving silver that is covered in food particles in the dishwasher for a prolonged period of time will only encourage more brown spots. After washing it in the dishwasher, remove your silver flatware and hand-dry it with a soft towel.

Removal

• Frequent use and careful preventative washing will remove the brown spots on silver flatware over time. It may take two to five washings to completely remove the brown spots, but once they are removed, they will not leave a damaged finish on the silver flatware.