Frequently Asked Questions

Silver-plated Items

Q:  What causes silver-plate to tarnish?
A:  Sulfur compounds in the air are the culprits. High humidity levels will also accelerate the formation of tarnish. Some examples of tarnish-causing elements include paints, fabrics containing wool or felt, rubber bands, latex gloves, and foods containing eggs, onions, or citrus. The oil in our fingers can also lead to corrosion patterns if not removed.

Q: Are silver-plated items dishwasher safe?
A: No, never wash silver or silver-plated items in a dishwasher.  Hand-wash silver-plate with warm water and a gentle, phosphate-free soap. Do not use soap which contains lemon.  Avoid making contact with other metals such as a stainless steel sink or other dirty dishes as this can cause scratching. If you wear dishwashing gloves, use plastic, not latex. Rinse the article in clean water and dry immediately with a lint-free, soft cloth.

Q: My silver-plated items have tarnished, how do I polish them?
A: Because silver-plate is a very thin layer of silver which has been electroplated to a base metal, care must be exercised when polishing.  If silver-plate is over-polished, the silver electroplate will eventually wear down and expose the base metal, ruining the item.  We prefer to use a liquid tarnish removers that are readily available at supermarkets and discount stores.  Test it on a small area, following the manufacture directions. 

Nickel-plated Items

Q: Does nickel-plate tarnish?
A: No, with proper care it will retain its sparkle and luster.

Q: Is it dishwasher safe?
A: Unless it has an antique finish, it is dishwasher safe.  We recommend that nickel-plated pieces be hand-washed to avoid scratches and preserve any finish that may have been applied.

General Questions

Q: What do I use as fuel in the teapot warmers?

A: For our Tipping and Victorian Teapots, we recommend a non-scented paraffin oil because it is clean burning. 

Q: How long should the wick be on the teapot warmers?

A: Keep the wick trimmed to about a 1/4" or less.  If the flame is smokey, then the wick is too long and should be reduced.  You may do this by pulling some of the wick back into the burner unit or trimming it.  There is plenty of wick in the burner unit for many, many years of use.

Do you have other questions?  If so, please email us at info@teafortwo.com .