Learn how to clean and maintain items made with marble, silver plating, polished stainless steel, and metal finishes.
Regularly dust polished stainless steel and metal finishes with a feather duster or a soft clean cloth. Remove stubborn stains with tepid water or a mild household cleaner. Never use hot water, caustic chemicals, or adhesive removers. Avoid paper towels, squeegees, and the like.
Clean silver-plated items with a soft sponge and lukewarm water. Dip a clean cloth into silver polish and apply to the surface until a thin film forms. Gently rub the polish into the silver-plated surface with a special polishing cloth made for silver. Wash the item if it will be used to serve food. Remove any excess silver polish with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid.
Clean polished stainless steel and metal finishes with a diluted cleaner. Apply a small amount to a clean cloth, then gently wipe the surface. If the finish is not altered and has not been transferred to the cloth, continue cleaning the rest of the product. Remove any cleaner residue with a clean cloth dampened with tepid water, then dry with a clean cloth. Do not let air dry.
Regularly polish metal-finished parts with products made especially for the care of polished metals, or with vinegar. For light polishing, dilute the vinegar with water (1/2 cup of vinegar for every quart of water). Moisten a soft cloth with the diluted vinegar and polish the item. Use undiluted vinegar on items with heavy staining.
Since marble is easily stained, etched, and dulled, it is important that you know how to take care of it. Dust the surface once or twice per week with a soft cloth. Marble stains very quickly, so immediately clean orange juice, coffee, wine, and other drinks (or food) with strong pigments and rinse with a clean, damp cloth. Never leave water on marble surfaces as it can cause stains.
Clean as gently as possible, never using abrasive cleaners or dusting sprays. Wash marble periodically with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water, and if necessary, some mild dishwashing liquid. Gently run the cloth over the surface, making circular motions. Remove the soap with another damp cloth and wipe the marble dry with a chamois.
Regularly apply marble polish to maintain the luster of the stone. Be sure to use a polish that is specially designed for marble as certain chemicals can harm marble.
