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The Modern Butlers’ Journal, January 2020, Consulting the Silver Expert

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Consulting the Silver Expert

by Jeff Herman

KEEP SILVER OUT OF THE DISHWASHER!

It’s that simple.

There are four major reasons for keeping prized sterling and silver-plate out of the “chamber of doom:”

(1) Any factory-applied patina (the blackening in recessed areas) will eventually be removed;

(2) The detergent’s aggressive chemicals, combined with the washer’s high temperature will eventually turn the silver grey or white and create a dull, non-reflective surface;

(3) Most older, and some repaired, hollow-handled knives are filled with pitch. This cement will expand with heat, possibly forcing open a thin solder seam, or exploding the knife blade out of the handle;

(4) Silver that touches stainless steel in the dishwasher can create a chemical reaction, producing black spots or pitting on the stainless steel and possibly requiring the silver to be professionally refinished.

Sterling, like a fine automobile, must be handled with tender, loving care—one certainly wouldn’t drive a Rolls Royce through a car wash, right?

Mr. Herman continues to offer his services to our readers for any questions you may have about the care of silver. Either contact him at (800) 339-0417 (USA) or via email: jeff @ hermansilver.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

Related posts:

  1. The Modern Butlers’ Journal, December 2018, Consulting the Silver Expert
  2. The Modern Butlers’ Journal, December 2019, Consulting the Silver Expert
  3. The Modern Butlers’ Journal, January 2019, Consulting the Silver Expert
  4. The Modern Butlers’ Journal, March 2019, Consulting the Silver Expert
  5. The Modern Butlers’ Journal, May 2019, Consulting the Silver Expert

By Amer A. Vargas

Amer A. Vargas graduated with a Tourism Degree specializing in hotel management from CETT (Center for Tourism Studies) in Barcelona and spent the following decade in the service industry. Beginning as a waiter and then supervisor in high-end restaurants, he was next made responsible for raising service standards through staff training programs. After receiving further training as a butler, he worked as a butler and valet in private service as well as hotels in England and Europe.

During this time period, he translated the best-selling industry texts Butlers & Household Managers, 21st Century Professionals and Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators into Spanish and is currently creating butler training materials in the Spanish language.

As the Director of Spanish-speaking Markets, Amer is responsible for making the technology of butling available in private residences and hotels in the Spanish-speaking countries of the world. He provides consultation, placement, and training services in these countries.