Extending the Life of Your Cutlery

Below are a few tips on how to get the most out of your cutlery.

Storage:

• Do not store your knives loosely in a drawer as they will bang against each other, causing scratches, not to mention the blades will become dull.  
• Use a knife block, or, if you must use a drawer for storage, use blade guards for protection.

Cleaning:

• It is important to rinse and wash your cutlery as soon as possible after use.  While most cutleries are dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended.
• Caution must be taken before washing cutlery in a dishwasher. For example, never mix stainless-steel cutlery with silver cutlery in the same wash; this will contaminate the metals and cause discoloration of your cutlery.
• Don’t put wet cutlery away; it will cause corrosion of the blade.

Sharpening:  

• Sharpen cutlery regularly, as soon as you begin to notice a dulling edge.  Regular sharpening will keep cutlery in good shape.  
• Dishwasher detergent can weaken the blade of your cutlery so again, practice caution when using a dishwasher, or simply hand-wash your cutlery.  
• Sharpening your cutlery is very important; dull knives are more dangerous than sharp knives, as you must use more pressure and thus may lose control over the knife.

Care Tips:  

• It is never a good idea to cut on glass, metal or other hard surfaces; use a wood cutting board or plastic cutting board to keep your cutlery from getting damaged.  
• You should never use cutlery for something other than the purpose it is intended.
• Corrosive materials, such as mayonnaise, can stain the blade of your cutlery.  Rinse cutlery immediately after use.  If stains do occur, clean the blade with a non-abrasive cleaner and wipe off immediately.

To ensure the greatest use from your cutlery, follow these simple tips.  If you don’t, you may find yourself replacing knives often and losing money.