Cutlery care: cleaning, removing rust and polishing

How to properly clean cutlery?

All ZWILLING cutlery is made of high-quality 18/10 stainless steel. This high-quality material makes the cutlery rustproof and dishwasher-safe. To ensure that your cutlery retains its beauty and shine for a long time, the following should be observed when caring for it:

• The lactic, fruit and vinegar acids found in food and cooking salt residues can attack the metal. For this reason, you should clean your stainless steel cutlery immediately after use. Removing existing food residues under running water is recommended if the cutlery cannot be cleaned immediately.
• The water jet of the dishwasher only reaches the cutlery pieces optimally if they are unsorted and placed in the cutlery basket with the handles facing downwards. Also, make sure that the cutlery basket is not too full.

How to avoid stains and scratches?

Porcelain and ceramics are harder than any cutlery material. Therefore, sort cutlery in the dishwasher separately so it does not come into contact with dishes. Furthermore, non-stainless products can damage your high-quality cutlery. So cleaning only stainless steel items in the separate dishwasher load is recommended.

However, if stains have formed, you can easily remove them with commercially available care products, such as stainless steel cleaner. Never use steel wool or scouring agents when cleaning cutlery, as these can damage the surface. Instead, use lint-free and soft cloth or sponges.

Is it safe to wash the cutlery in the dishwasher?

All ZWILLING cutlery can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, the cutlery should not be left in the closed dishwasher for a long time, as this can cause stains (e.g. "flash rust") to form on the cutlery.

The cutlery care after washing it in the dishwasher

After removing the cutlery from the dishwasher, dry it again briefly. Do not place them in the cutlery drawer when slightly damp, as the moisture increases the risk of rust film forming.

Why rust can appear on cutlery?

In principle, any steel can rust under certain conditions, but chromium and nickel in stainless steel essentially prevent the formation of rust on cutlery. Corrosion occurs mainly on knife blades, which are made of blade steel, and they have a lower chromium and nickel content but a higher hardness and better edge retention.

What kind of rust is occurs on cutlery?

Due to the high humidity, the iron dust in the dishwasher oxidizes and settles on your cutlery in the form of brownish stains. This iron dust is called flash rust, and one reason for stains can also be the additives necessary for cleaning. To prevent this, check whether your dishwasher is sufficiently supplied with rinse aid in addition to detergent.

Why does the cutlery have rust stains even though it is dishwasher-safe?

Rust can also settle on high-quality stainless steel cutlery, even though it does not rust. Flash rust forms during the rinsing process and happens, for example, on screws in lids or other non-stainless objects. Sometimes the coating of the dishwasher basket also comes loose and exposes rust particles, which are then found on the cutlery.

How to gently remove rust film from cutlery?

Is your cutlery tarnished in the dishwasher, even though it is dishwasher safe? The minor stains on the cutlery are usually rust film. However, almost all rust stains on cutlery can be gently removed with a soft brush and non-scratching detergent.

How home remedies can help with cutlery cleaning?

You can also clean your cutlery with the help of home remedies. Add baking soda or vinegar to warm water, soak your cutlery for an hour and then dry it with a cotton cloth. For stubborn stains on cutlery, you can apply baking soda or vinegar directly to the affected area and polish it with a cloth. Leave it on for an hour and then wash it off with warm water. You can polish your cutlery again at the end for an exceptional shine.

How to polish cutlery?

Stainless steel cutlery loses its shine through daily use. First, clean the cutlery with warm water and a little vinegar to restore this. Then dry the cutlery with a soft cotton cloth. Now polish the cutlery while it is still warm with a fine microfiber cloth until no dull spots are visible. Caution: Matted surfaces must not be polished. Due to the unique surface texture, the matte finish can become bare in places during use. The surfaces can be easily refreshed with a matting fleece.