How to Prevent Cutlery Rusting in the Dishwasher

Stainless steel cutlery is pretty fancy. You probably spent quite a lot of money on it, but now you have to work out the best way to clean it without damaging it. The dishwasher isn’t as reliable as you think when it comes to stainless steel, as in some cases, you’re still wind up with those ugly rusted patches.

To try and help you out, we’re going to take a look at stainless steel in some detail, work out how to prevent rusting, and make sure that you get the most out of your new cutlery.

If you still need support, then Repair Aid can help to give you the best same-day assistance.

A Guide to Stainless Steel

So, let’s take a quick look at what stainless steel is. Stainless steel is a particular type of steel that has been fused with chrome and nickel. This gives the steel both rust and acid resistance, respectively.

A good quality stainless steel product will contain 10% nickel and 18% chrome alloys. This tends to make it look much more expensive than other types of stainless steel; generally, it’s pretty bright and whiter in colour. With that being said, the clinching factor is more that these types of alloys make them resistant to stains rather than entirely stain-free.

You will generally find that spoons and forks have a high level of corrosion resistance, but the blade of a knife is slightly different. It’s made from a tougher type of steel which has a lasting edge to it so that you can cut food easier, but there’s also makes it more likely for rust to stain.

Thankfully, there are things you can do which will minimise the risk of rusting.

How to Prevent Rust

So, there are quite a few things you can do to prevent rust from occurring. Let’s cover some of the most practical applications together:

Before you put things into the dishwasher, rinse them off. Remnants of salty or acidic food on the cutlery will stain, so if you remove it, you reduce the risk.

Make sure that you wash your dishes as soon as you can because leaving cutlery that is dirty inside a dishwasher for an extended period will also lead to stains.

If the cutlery has been washed and is still wet, leaving it for an extended duration will also lead to stains, so dry it as soon as possible.

You can either do this by opening the door and letting them air dry or dry it by hand once the program for the dishwasher has been completed.

Try to avoid putting anything into the dishwasher which has a plastic, china, or wooden handle. Furthermore, do not expose any of your cutlery directly to dishwasher detergent because this will damage even the hardiest of steel.

Final Thoughts

Trying to prevent rusting on your stainless steel cutlery can be a challenge, but if you follow the simple tips we have provided here, you should be alright. Remember that stainless steel does not guarantee an absence of stains, but it does dramatically increase the resistance to stains. It’s a bit of a misconception and a false marketing advertising tactic, but it’s not difficult to work around once you know the real truth.