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Care and cleaning recommendations for silverware (cutlery and holloware)

Silverware might seems to need a lot of maintenance but in reality, it is very easy to take care of all your silverware product.

After long exposure to the air, silverware has blackens but it doesn't mean that the shine can't be restore.

When silverware has become tarnished, be careful to choose a product that is designed specifically for silver like our antitarnish gloves and chamois or soft cloth to apply silver polish or foam to clean your cutlery or holloware.

The use of the dishwasher is possible for all of our products with the exception of the Arts Décoratifs, L'Insolent and Calypso collections.

For all, it is recommended to:

  • Place the silver and stainless steel flatware in different baskets, as well as the knives with steel blades.
  • Use washing powder only (and especially not liquid or gel), Ercuis recommends “Calgonit” products.
  • For sticky or greasy traces, the use of household alcohol is possible.
  • For heavily stained cutleyr, a little water mixed with baking soda or vinegar will be perfect for removing any buildup on the pieces, always followed by a good rinse and a thorough drying.
  • At the end of the cycle, open the door of the dishwasher to remove water vapor and avoid leaving the silverware in the dishwasher too long.
  • When washing by hand, do not use bleach or rubber (gloves, elastic, rubber fabric), which contains sulfur and causes stubborn black marks.
  • After washing, dry your silver and stainless steel cutlery and store it in a dry place.

Attention: sterling silver flatware with mounted handles should not be placed in the dishwasher, this will damage the precious and/or natural materials of their handles and would weaken the mounting.

Special care must be taken over cleaning these pieces, with their delicate sterling silver grille. Do not use asilver foam or impregnated mitts that might catch on the grille and damage it.

Place in a protective basket and immerse in a silver cutlery rinse for just a few seconds to restore all their brilliance. Then rinse in clear water and blot dry with a cloth.

For these two collections, the use of dishwasher is not possible.

Arts Décoratifs cutlery is not dishwasher-safe.

Their lacquered handles are not resistant to the high temperatures and detergents used in dishwashers.

Some people may be reluctant to purchase a piece of silverware because of its maintenance and the "oxidation" phenomenon: a piece turns black and fades in prolonged contact with air.

In fact, silver gradually loses its luster by first acquiring a yellow tint that becomes increasingly black over time. This phenomenon is more or less fast depending on whether the piece will be exposed to heat and humidity or not.

  • The first advice for maintenance is frequent use. Indeed, since the staining appears rather slowly, the silver will not have time to darken between uses. In addition, its regular use automatically provides for cleaning and gives all the pieces the true “patina” of silver.
  • Store the silverware and steel prducts in a dry environment, avoiding wet pieces. For sterling silver, use a soft cloth to separate each piece to prevent scratching.
  • Use anti-oxidant covers for pieces not intended for interior decoration.
  • It is not recommanded to use product that contains chlorine, rubber and acids as they can be too aggressive.
  • For knife, it is recommended to avoid thermal shocks to prevent weakening the blade and handle assembly.

Attention: the coastal environment could also accelerate the oxidation process.

When a piece of holloware is oxidized, it is better to choose a specific product reserved for silver, such as a silver polish or a silver care cream, while following the instructions and using a soft cloth to apply the product.

The lacquered handle of the flatware is coated with a layer of protective varnish,and therefore does not require any special care.

The head of the flatware as well as its ferrule and finial should be cleaned with specially-formulated products for silverware.

  • Antitarnish gloves and Chamois cloth

They are coated with a special polishing compound that helps to remove dirt, stains, and imperfections of decorative pieces.

  • Silver polish

For slight oxidation, apply on a soft dry cloth and rub on the silverware item. Leave it on for a minute before rubbing it off with a dry cloth.


  • Silver care cream

For more oxidized or stained items, dampen asponge in warm water and apply the cream. Clean it thoroughly before rinsing in clear warm water. Buff with a soft dry cloth to obtain a brilliant longer lasting luster.


  • Silver cultery rinse

For Insolent and Calypso collections, immerse the cutlery in the silver cutlery rinse before washing it in clear water.

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