Stainless steel flatware has graced the American table since 1945 when stainless replaced silverplate for flatware, according to a discussion on modern metal design by East Carolina University. Stainless steel is steel with a percentage of chromium and nickel, Oneida says, and it is not stain-proof. Acidic foods and salt can cause discoloration or pitting on stainless flatware. The wide surfaces of stainless spoons and knives show streaks and spots more than forks. You can clean stainless spoons with products available in the home.
Step One
Wash the stainless spoons with warm soap and water in a bowl or in the sink. Dry them with a soft towel.
Step Two
Check for stains or streaks, dark spots or rust. Set all pieces aside that do not need to be cleaned.
Step Three
Place 1/2 cup white vinegar in a bowl and place the spotty spoons in the bowl. Rub the spoons with a soft cloth in the white vinegar and check to see if they are clean. Towle suggests that club soda will work as well as white vinegar to remove heat streaks.
Step Four
Use olive oil or baby oil as an additional cleaner for spoons that did not come clean with white vinegar. Pour some oil onto a clean cloth and rub the spots on the stainless spoons.
Step Five
Try flour or baking soda cleaning if the spoons still have spots or streaks. Ohio State University suggests dry flour while Mrs. Clean recommends baking soda for cleaning stainless sinks. Use the flour or baking soda dry or make a paste with water and wipe it gently onto the silverware.
Step Six
Wash the stainless spoons in hot detergent water to remove all traces of the cleanser before use.