
plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989
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Did I ruin my silver with bleach?
December 27, 2008
My name is Phil Williams from Los Angeles, Ca.
This is the flu season, so after my annual Christmas dinner, I put about a half cup of bleach in my dishwater to sanitize the dishes and silver. The silver came out dull and tarnished. Did I ruin it or is there a process to restore the shine to each piece?
If someone knows what I should do, please let me know.
- Los Angeles, California
First of two simultaneous responses -- December 30, 2008
It is not ruined. Restore it with a good silver polish and lots of elbow grease.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Second of two simultaneous responses -- December 30, 2008
Hand polish with silver polish.
The normal dishwasher temperature (65 degrees C or 150 degrees F) effectively sterilises the load without the need for addition of any chlorine.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
