My Everyday Silverware
I always shock people when I mention I use my sterling silver flatware every day. I never understood why something so beautiful was kept in a wooden box and rarely used.
I shared this photo of my sterling silver flatware a few years ago on my blog. I casually mentioned how I use my sterling silver and silverplate flatware daily. I cannot believe how shocked many of you were! And yet, the big surprise was when I shared how I clean it.
This is my silverware drawer. It is a combination of sterling silver and silver plate.
This drawer holds my sterling silver (Wallace Rose Point) and Vintage silver plate (Rogers Bros. Vintage). It also has some of my mom’s sterling silver flatware. If any of you recognize the silver pattern, please let me know. I love these three patterns so much that I cannot imagine only using them for special occasions. That is why I use them every day.
So, how do I clean my sterling silver?
I put the sterling silver flatware in the dishwasher—all of the time.
I know that some of you are UNfollowing me right now.
But wait! Read a bit more.
My grandmother would be terrified and take back all of the silver I own. Some may call me foolish, but I think it’s too pretty not always to enjoy it.
And even though I put it in the dishwasher, it still looks as good as the day I got it.
Of course, this does not mean I can guarantee the dishwasher won’t harm your silver. But for me, after thirty years, my silver still looks perfect.
I had enough silver and silverplate flatware for the engagement party we hosted over five years ago to serve 65 people.
(Whenever I share this photo, someone comments that the silver isn’t aligned. We were so rushed that my boys set the table for me. So I honestly didn’t even notice or even care! I was just thankful for the help!)
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Mixing Flatware
I love nice flatware. But I combine all the patterns I own when setting a table. I never even try to make it match!
Looking closely at the table below, you can see none of the silverware matches!
When I reach into the silver drawer, I just grab the flatware. I never even think of trying to match it.
However, sometimes it accidentally matches.
And yes, I even use my sterling silver at breakfast and in my coffee every morning.
Sterling Silver in the Dishwasher?
Some may call me foolish, but I think sterling silver is too pretty not to be enjoyed all of the time.
And even though I put it in the dishwasher, it still looks as good as the day I got it.
Of course, this does not mean I can guarantee the dishwasher won’t harm your silver. But for me, after over 20 years, it still looks perfect.
My friends at Today.com said, “Surprisingly, silver and silver-plated flatware can be washed in the dishwasher, with a few caveats. Make sure to use a detergent that does NOT contain lemon or other citric acids, or it could damage the metal.”
Use Your Sterling Silver
The most important message you should take from this blog post is that you should take your silver out of the lined wooden chest and use it! You can still hand wash it.
But use it.
It’s too beautiful not to use it more often.
So, what happened when I posted this idea last time?
Lots of people pulled out their silver and started using it again! I received so many comments. And that makes me very happy.
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Are you still using Cascade Complete for dishwasher detergent? Good post. Thanks.
I love this and am now using mine more but I was always told be the experts not tom put hollow handle pieces such as knives because the heat would melt the glue that holds the handle to the blade causing them to come apart especially on vintage pieces. Has that been your experience? Thank you! Karen
Which detergent for the dishwasher do u use? I love my set but never use it. I have been married 48 years and have used it only a couple times. . I will start using them if I know what u use. I will test on a piece or two.
We use silver spoons everyday. We keep all our silver spoons in a copper bucket by the coffee pot for daily use. Our other silver flatware is stored for occasional use. We’re careful to place only silver flatware in the cubbies in the dishwasher because if we mix it up with the stainless it causes it to turn dark. We inherited a bucket full of silver spoons, some of it beautifully monogram, from my MIL when she passed. I had never even seen these spoons. We decided to use her pretty things everyday and enjoy them.about once a year or so I polish them with a silver polishing cloth from Amazon.
Definitely meant to be used and enjoyed Pamela! Love that. ☺️
Loved this article. Thanks for the tips and. Lovely! One question – where did you get the black and white plates? Love them!
Well I think I will bring out by silver, Grand Duchess by Towle, and start using it. Why not?
I love this post! Why, save your “good silver” for just the special occasions?! Life is a special occasion!
I’m going to add a caveat to this, though. I always used my silver and washed it in the dishwasher until we moved to the country and now we are on well water. For some reason, my silver would get a little black dots when we washed it in the dishwasher. I’m not sure what made this difference. Now I have bought a really pretty set of stainless that we use every day.
I love that Shelley, life IS a special occasion! ☺️
My daddy always said what was the point of hvoing something and not using it? I handwash mine but not my china! Thanks for the post.
He is so right! 🙌🏻 thank you for being here!
Leslie, do you have good detailed pics of your mother’s pattern then?
I was so glad to read this post. I don’t use mine every day but we entertain often and use a lot and definitely put it in the dishwasher. In fact, everything goes in the dishwasher, even the cut glass, and no harm done after decades! I love your blog, but especially your entertaining posts!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that Kristen! Thanks so much for being here ☺️
The best thing you can do with your silverware is USE IT! Even if it’s only a couple dozen times a year, USE IT. If you’ve raised your kids right, they’ll continue to use it after you’re gone.
I absolutely agree!
Well….after 25 years of storing my sterling…it is now out in my silverware drawers and used daily!!! Recently I met a much older woman and being from the Deep South she asked me if I had china, crystal, silver….yes I do to all. Inherited from my precious mother in law…she asked do you use it? I told her not much…this was her reply…who are you saving it for ….Your husbands next wife???????? Lol!! Well, after 45 years I don’t know about a next wife, but who am I saving it for????? I smile each time I open the drawers….and so does my husband as it brings back precious memories….
Haha that is too funny Sheila! I’m so happy it inspired you to use it daily. I just love mine!
I’ve been using three generations of sterling flatware every day for years and absolutely love it! It reminds me so much of my dear Nana and Grandma and my beloved Mother as well as makes use of my wedding silverware. One caveat, though…the knives should never go in the dishwasher as the extreme heat of the cycles over time can cause the bonding agent between knife and handle to separate! I’ve lost two knives that way and they are very expensive to have repaired correctly.
I have my grandma’s silverware. I want to take it out and use it but it is somewhat tarnished. I haven’t used it because I hate the thought of sitting for hours shining it with a paste product. Can you recommend a product to use to spruce it up. Is there a product that is quick and easy?
I am so happy to read this for the first time. I have a beautiful set in a wooden box I purchased 40 years ago, and never use it because I thought it was too hard to clean. I am putting a fork in the dishwasher tonight to test and will then use it daily if it comes out ok. No use leaving it to my grown children because they would never use it either. Thank you so much for the information, and inspiration!
This makes so much sense. Mine has been sitting for years in its case since i inherited it in 1996. I am going to start using it. I’m 61 years old so what have I been waiting for?
Loved this post. I don’t take time to read everyone’s reply, but how dare someone comment the silverware was not aligned!The fact that YOU served 65 guests so elegantly amazes me. After following you for the last few years, I still cannot figure out where all your energy comes from. God bless you!!