. . . Rust on Silverware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Why do I get Rust on my Silverware?

(or stainless steel flatware)

Rust is the result of a simple chemical process, called oxidation, that occurs when the iron compounds in stainless steel corrode in the presence of oxygen and water. Actual silver contains no iron, and therefore does not technically "rust". The corrosion of silver is called "tarnish" and results in a substance very similar to rust.

Stainless steel is designed to prevent the iron compounds from uniting with oxygen in the air, (hence the 'stainless' in the name) but when it interacts with some other outside elements it can eventually rust. Water with a high mineral concentration is the most common outside element that produces rust on otherwise stainless flatware. To prevent rusting on your silverware, simply make sure to dry it completely after washing to remove any mineral deposits from the water.

To remove rust from silverware, a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar used as a polish usually does the trick. For very stubborn rust deposits, you may need to coat the silverware in the cream of tartar paste and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before polishing.