FAQs

Cambridge home is a new direct-to-consumer website selling high quality and stylish home accessories – flatware, bar and drinkware, kitchen and serveware – from the Cambridge family of brands, including Cambridge Silversmiths and Thirstystone.

Former websites cambridgesilversmiths.com, camsil.com, and thirstycoaster.com now roll into this site. Our customer service team is available to help with all products previously purchased through either of these sites. Please contact us at info@cambridgehome.com.

Cambridge flatware, serveware and barware products are designed in the U.S. and manufactured overseas with factory partners in India, China and Vietnam. Our factories are audited and go through rigorous approval processes to ensure they meet or exceed industry standards for social, environmental and security compliance. Cambridge designs and manufacturers its Thirstystone coasters in the United States. Orders placed on cambridgehome.com are fulfilled by our warehouse facility in Gainesville, Texas.

Yes, all of our products are food safe.

Our products are made from premium-grade stainless steel and meet all FDA standards. Our tumbler lids are made of ABS plastic, which is clear, durable and BPA-free.

Yes, Cambridge double wall tumblers can be used for both hot and cold liquids. They are sweat proof and will not leave condensation on your furniture.

Cambridge tumblers are compatible with most single serve coffee machines. We recommend you double check the dimensions of the tumbler on the product detail page before purchasing to ensure that it will fit your machine.

Yes, we use acacia and mango wood and both are sustainable woods.

Cambridge is known for offering a broad selection of flatware finishes you suit your personal lifestyle and home aesthetic. Flatware with a Mirror finish is shiny, polished and classic. A Satin finish has a brushed, matte effect that disguises fingerprints and scratches. A Sand finish has a shimmery, frosted appearance that is often used together with Mirror accents to highlight a design or pattern on the handle. A Rumble finish has a unique distressed look, perfect for complimenting a vintage or industrial aesthetic. Many of our flatware patterns are available in a variety of finishes and colors.

Gauge refers to how thick a given utensil is. A dinner fork will have a higher gauge than a salad fork because it is thicker. As one would expect, the higher the gauge, the more expensive a particular design or pattern will be. Thicker is not necessarily better so you may also want to consider your sense of style, choice of pattern, or how the selected utensil feels in your hand.

Cambridge offers 20-piece sets, which consist of 4 each of: dessert/salad forks, dinner forks, dinner knives, dinner/soup spoons and teaspoons. We also offer 45-piece flatware sets which consist of 8 each of: dessert/salad forks, dinner forks, dinner knives, dinner/soup spoons, teaspoons, plus a serve set containing one each of: serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, serving fork, butter knife, and sugar spoon. You may also see flatware sold in 5-piece place settings, which consists of one each of: dessert/salad fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, dinner/soup spoon and teaspoon. You can combine sets for your desired number of place settings.

Our dolomite coasters are easy to clean; just wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth and air dry. Do not soak. Not microwave, oven or dishwasher safe.

Hand wash with a damp, warm cloth. Since marble is a porous material, stains from red wine stains can be hard to remove. Do not soak. Not microwave, oven or dishwasher safe.

Our felted wool is easy to care for; just hand wash separately in warm water. Do not use bleach and do not tumble dry. Not microwave, oven or dishwasher safe.

Our serving and kitchen accessories are hand wash only to preserve the natural materials and beautiful finishes. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and strong soaps, and do not submerge products in water. Do not allow water to sit on your serveware and kitchen accessories for prolonged periods. Please refer to the product label and the specific product detail page for more information.

Our serveware and kitchen accessories are not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe.

Hand wash with a damp cloth and air dry. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and strong soaps, and do not soak in water. We recommend using a food-grade mineral oil to preserve your wood serveware, and a food safe quaternary ammonium-based product if sanitizing if needed.

Our wood serving products are not dishwasher, oven or stovetop safe. Store mixed-material serving boards away from stovetops.

Hand wash with a gentle detergent and air dry. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and strong soaps, and do not soak in water. Our metal serving products are not dishwasher, oven or stovetop safe.

Our food safe enamel is easy to care for; just wipe with a damp cloth and air dry. Do not soak in water, and don’t allow water to stand on the product for extended periods of time. Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe.

Our terrazzo is easy to care for; just wipe with a damp cloth and air dry. Do not soak in water, and don’t allow water to stand on the product for extended periods of time. Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe.

Our felted wool is easy to care for; just hand wash separately in warm water. Do not use bleach and do not tumble dry.

Hand wash using a soft cloth and a gentle detergent. Air dry, do not soak. Not dishwasher, microwave or oven safe.

Our serveware and kitchen accessories are not microwave or oven safe.

Some of our Cambridge tumblers, mugs, and bar accessories are top rack dishwasher safe, and some items are hand wash only. Clean all products promptly after each use with a gentle, non-abrasive detergent. Please refer to the product label and the specific product detail page for more information.

Products noted as dishwasher safe can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. For dishwasher safe barware, avoid washing stainless steel products in the same load as products made from other metals (such as aluminum). Ensure products are not touching each other in the dishwasher to avoid scratching and premature wear on the finish.

Products noted as hand wash only should be washed with warm, soapy water, and then dried immediately with a soft, dry towel. Use a gentle, non-abrasive detergent and non-abrasive sponge to avoid scratching the product.

Products noted as dishwasher safe can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. For dishwasher safe barware, avoid washing stainless steel in the same load as products made from other metals such as aluminum. Ensure products are not touching each other in the dishwasher to avoid scratching and premature wear on the finish.

Products noted as hand wash only, should be washed with warm, soapy water, and then dried immediately with a soft, dry towel.

Do not soak insulated barware in water.

It’s important to clean and dry your ice bucket after every use to avoid bacteria buildup. For ice buckets that are handwash-only, be sure to thoroughly scrub the entire bucket, including the interior where the bottom meets the sides. Promptly dry after washing.

Never use glass items that are visible damaged, scratched, chipped, or cracked. Avoid sudden, drastic temperature changes, such as pouring a boiling liquid over ice inside glass barware since this can cause breakage. Avoid impact of hard objects with glass. Products noted as dishwasher safe can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. For dishwasher safe barware, avoid washing stainless steel pieces in the same load as products made from other metals such as aluminum. Ensure products are not touching each other in the dishwasher to avoid breakage, scratching and premature wear on the finish.

Etching on glassware can occur with soft water, high water temperatures, and too much dish detergent. To avoid etching, reduce the amount of dishwasher detergent (never use less than one tablespoon), keep the water temperature no higher than 140 degrees, and load fewer items into the dishwasher at a time to ensure thorough rinsing.

To hand wash, use a non-scratch pad and cleanser and gentle detergent.

Most Cambridge bar and drinkware products are not microwave or oven safe. The majority of our products are constructed of stainless steel, and should not be put in the microwave or oven.

Our stainless steel flatware is handwash recommended, and dishwasher safe. Caring for your stainless-steel flatware properly can help preserve its luster & longevity for many years to come. It is important to always follow the below suggestions for use and maintenance. It is also important to know stainless steel is stain resistant but not stain proof, and if subjected to unfavorable conditions can corrode and stain. Follow these tips below in caring for your flatware:

• Wash thoroughly before first use.
  
• Do not allow food remnants to sit on your flatware for a prolonged period. Remove all food soil from your flatware immediately after use. Some foods are very harsh to the stainless steel and can cause pitting, corrosion, discoloration, and etching. These foods include but are not limited to: Vinegar, Salt, Mustard & Mayonnaise.
  
• Avoid soaking your flatware before washing. Soaking flatware is not recommended. However, if stubborn food is difficult to remove, let set in warm water with a mild detergent for no more than 10 minutes. Do not soak for extended periods of time or overnight, as minerals & salts commonly found in tap water can lead to corrosion, unwanted staining, or film buildup. Avoid soaking in or with aluminum or copper materials. Use a chloride & chlorine-free solution for all steps of cleaning.

If using a dishwasher, load forks and spoons handle down and avoid “nesting.” Place knives in a separate section of the basket with the blade down to prevent scratching and contact with other metals. This is especially important if the flatware is plated or contains a coating. We recommend using a flatware basket that separates each piece. This is important for dishwashing your plated, chromium, or titanium coated products.

It also is important that you follow your dishwasher manufacturer's instructions regarding the amount of detergent to be used. Cambridge recommends Cascade Complete Gel Packs (with Dawn grease fighting power) for dishwashing.

Whether washing by hand or with a dishwasher always avoid washing with or in aluminum or copper kitchen items. Never use dishwashing liquid that contains harsh chemicals, lemon scent, bleach, or chlorides.

In a dishwasher it is best to use a rinse aid. Rinse aids help remove water from flatware & can reduce drying time. Rinse aids keep water from forming droplets that can dry as spots or streaks. Store flatware in a dry place until further use.

When hand washing, use hot water and mild detergent. Dawn is ideal for hand washing. Do not use metal scrub brushes, scrapers, or steel wool. Do not use the scouring/abrasive side of your sponge when hand washing. This can lead to scratching and can increase the risk of corrosion. Rinse thoroughly, dry with a soft towel and store in a dry place until further use. Air drying is not recommended.

Whether washing by hand or with a dishwasher always avoid washing with or in aluminum or copper kitchen items. Never use dishwashing liquid that contains harsh chemicals, lemon scent, bleach, or chlorides.

If you use too little detergent in hard water, flatware will not clean as well. If you use too much in soft water, flatware can etch or even rust, which is why we recommend Cascade Complete Gel Packs; they have additives included in the detergent to help control the PH level of the water.

When cared for properly, Cambridge flatware should never need polishing, however if hard water stains, mineral build up, water spots, or detergent stains appear on your flatware you can use the following guidelines.

Wipe down with a cloth dipped in vinegar until stains disappear. Once stains are removed, clean the items to assure the vinegar is removed. This will also add brightness to the flatware and bring its luster back.

Periodically, you may choose to use a polish to remove any film buildup or staining from your stainless flatware. Be sure to use a polish specifically made for stainless steel. Once polished, it is always important to rinse thoroughly. Stainless steel polish is made to be used on stainless steel; It is not designed for use on flatware that is plated or coated. Has a brushed or satin finished item become dull? Grocery store purchased Scotch-Brite pads can be used to correct the finish. Simply place the item between a folded pad and gently move the item up and down, parallel with the length of the item.

Note: Knife blades are particularly sensitive to acidic foods, being soaked in water and air-drying. Therefore, it is particularly important that you wash your knives promptly after each use, and dry immediately. Do not store in plastic or other wrappings that may trap moisture. Keep knives and other hollow handle flatware away from any open flames or other sources of extreme heat.

You should not try to sharpen knives that have serrated edges which could result in damage to the blade.

The color itself is considered a hard coating, so PVD flatware can be cleaned in the same fashion as uncoated stainless steel flatware. When cleaning a PVD flatware piece, avoid using abrasive pads such as Scotch Brite, or Brillo-pads. These can cause scratching and potentially remove the coating. Item-to-item contact when placing in the dishwasher or handling of the flatware should be avoided or minimized to reduce premature wear and scratching.

Cambridge flatware products are not microwave or oven safe.

To qualify as stainless steel, the alloy must contain at least 11.5 percent chromium (also known as chrome). All Cambridge® flatware products use a minimum of 18 percent chromium. We offer three grades of stainless steel, represented by the percentage of chrome within the alloy. Two of these grades contain nickel. Chrome is important because it makes the steel more resistant to corrosion, while nickel provides a softer, silvery tone.

Our stainless-steel grades include:

• 18/10 Stainless – 18 percent chrome and 10 percent nickel.
• 18/8 Stainless – 18 percent chrome and 8 percent nickel.
• 18/0 Stainless – 18 percent chrome and no nickel.

Each of these grades meets the highest quality standards for corrosion resistance and is ideal for use on a regular basis.

Gauge refers to the thickness of a utensil. For example, dinner forks will feature a higher gauge than salad forks because they are thicker. Products with higher gauges are typically more expensive. However, this doesn’t mean you need to base your purchase decision solely on this measurement – thicker doesn’t always mean the product is better. What really matters is how the selected utensil feels in your hand, your sense of style and your preferred pattern.

Finishes can often be a reflection of your lifestyle or the intended use for the flatware. Use this guide as you select the perfect utensils for your table:

• Mirror finishes are shiny, polished and classic.
• Satin finishes have a brushed matte effect that disguises fingerprints and scratches.
• Sanded finishes have a shimmery, frosted appearance. These are often paired with mirrored accents to highlight designs or patterns on the handle.
• Rumbled finishes have a unique, distressed look ideal for complementing vintage and industrial aesthetics.

Many of our flatware patterns are available in various finishes, along with several different color choices.

These abbreviations refer to the number of utensils in each flatware set. Cambridge® offers sets in the following sizes:

• Five-piece (5pc) sets include a salad fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, soup spoon and teaspoon.
• 20-piece (20pc) sets contain four of the following: salad forks, dinner forks, dinner knives, soup spoons and teaspoons.
• 45-piece (45pc) sets come with eight of the following: salad forks, dinner forks, dinner knives, soup spoons and teaspoons. These also include a serving spoon, slotted spoon, serving fork, butter knife and sugar spoon.

Please contact our customer service at info@cambridgehome.com with your name, order number, and the missing item information. If possible, please include a photo of the entire order out of the package.

Please contact our customer service at info@cambridgehome.com with your name, order number, a photo of the damaged product, and a short description of the issue. We will address this issue in 1-2 business days.

It is critical that you inspect your order upon delivery. Orders delivered via a freight carrier specifically must be inspected upon delivery of the item. If you find any issues, please contact us immediately at info@cambridgehome.com.

Once you have submitted your order, we have limited ability to make modifications. Please contact us as soon as possible at info@cambridgehome.com with any requests.

Once your order has been shipped, you will be sent a shipping confirmation email including the tracking number for your package.

The vast majority of our items do not require signature upon delivery, but this is always at the discretion of the delivery driver.

If by chance a package is lost in transit, we are happy to work with you to resolve the issue, but we kindly ask that your report your lost package to the carrier before reaching out to info@cambridgehome.com.

It typically takes 5-7 days for a refund to show up on a credit card. If it has been longer than 10 business days and you do not see the refund, please email us at info@cambridgehome.com with your name, order number, tracking return information and the items you returned. We will respond within 1-2 business days.

You can create an account here by entering your name, email and a password of your choice.

We currently accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. When you place an order on our website, we will charge your credit card once we have verified your card details, received credit authorization, confirmed stock availability, and your order is ready to be shipped. If you are having difficulty processing payment, please email us at info@cambridgehome.com.

Yes, it is necessary to pay taxes.

The main reason is that Cambridge does business in every state in the U.S. as well as in U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.) Therefore, we are legally required to collect sales tax. In some states, we must pay taxes beyond the price, such as shipping, handling and insurances charges, which may be considered part of the total sales prices.

If you need additional information about the sales tax laws in your state, we suggest you contact your state revenue department.

We offer free shipping in the U.S. on all orders over $30. Orders under $30 are charged a $7.99 flat rate shipping fee. All shipping costs are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Exclusions: Different rates apply for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada (see below for more details). There may select product exclusions that are not eligible for free shipping.

For select orders, upgraded or expedited delivery options may be available for purchase during checkout.

Extra shipping and handling charges will be added to your order for standard expedited shipping requests.

Estimated shipping rates:
-Standard Second Day Air $27.99
-Standard Next Day Air $37.99

Orders received before 12pm Eastern generally ship within 1 business day. Bulk orders including extra large quantities may incur an additional shipping charge, in which case customer service will contact you to discuss shipping options.

After your order has been placed on our website, or over the phone, you should receive an email confirming the expected ship date.

When your order ships, you will receive an email from us with specific carrier and tracking information. Small parcel items ship via UPS, FedEx or USPS and generally take 1-7 business days to arrive.

If at any point along the way you need more information, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team at info@cambridgehome.com.

For these locations, additional shipping fees may apply. Our Customer Service team will confirm any such fees 1-2 business days after your order is placed and will not finalize your order until you accept the final terms. Please note that, for orders to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, we will be able to quote the shipping costs only and local taxes and duties may still apply.

Please contact our Customer Service team at info@cambridgehome.com and they will assist you with your specific needs.

We currently ship to PO boxes and Military APOs within the US. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to PO boxes outside the US at this time.

Immediately upon order placement, please contact our customer service team at info@cambridgehome.com so that we can assist you with the appropriate arrangements.

When shipping items to Canada, Cambridge only uses FedEx which includes the brokerage fees in the shipping charge. This total does not include the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or customs duties which will be due upon receipt of delivery.

After you place your order, we will send you a shipping quote via email within 2 business days. Once you have approved the quote, the freight item(s) on your order will be processed.

You will receive an email with the estimated ship date within 2 business days of submitting your order.

Once approved and shipped, orders generally take up to two weeks to arrive.

Unfortunately, other than to Canada, we do not ship internationally at this time.

Items purchased at other retail sites should be returned or exchanged at the original place of purchase. If you are interested in finding additional pieces to match your pattern or serving set, you can make a request here

Please initiate your return here . Your refund will be issued after the item has been received and inspected, usually within 5 to 10 business days.

Cambridge offers free returns.

Different shipping charges apply for Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Orders returned from Canada will have shipping and any applicable taxes and customs duties deducted from the refund. Please contact customer service for an estimated cost at info@cambridgehome.com or 1.800.890.3366 Monday-Friday 9-5:30 pm Eastern.

You can initiate your exchange here. If you use the shipping label created through our returns portal to exchange an item, the cost of return shipping will be free of charge.

Your exchange will be issued after the item has been received and inspected, usually within 5 to 10 business days.

Fragile items may sometimes be damaged in shipping. We ask that you inspect all items individually once they arrive so that any damage claims can be made immediately. If your order arrives damaged or with items missing, you must notify us within 3 days of receipt of the item(s). We will arrange a prompt replacement of the item.

We also request that you provide photos of any damaged product, along with the product packaging. Please contact Customer Service and we will be happy to replace the item(s) as soon as possible.

We stand behind our products and aim to bring style and quality to your home. If you’re looking for additional pieces, or unsatisfied with a product for any reason, please contact us using the form here. We will do our best to make things right.

Our stainless steel flatware products carry a limited 25-year warranty from date of purchase against defects in materials or workmanship. Retaining a UPC or item number is not required for warranty replacements, but will help us to assist you as quickly as possible. If your exact pattern is no longer available, we will work to find a similar pattern for replacement.

For drinkware, kitchen and serve items, if the item you bought is faulty or broken (on arrival), we will (at your choice) either replace the faulty goods free of charge with identical or equivalent pieces on a one-for-one basis, or provide you with a full refund.

Feel free to contact us directly at info@cambridgehome.com with any other questions or concerns. We care!

Yes, e-gift cards for use on the cambridgehome.com website are available for purchase here.

To purchase an e-gift card, click here to visit our e-gift card page, select the gift card amount you wish to purchase. Once selected, you can select your payment method and check out, or add to your cart and continue shopping.

After purchase, your gift card will be sent to the email that you entered for your order confirmation. The email with the gift card can be forwarded or printed for the recipient.

Your gift card should be sent to the email linked to your account. Double check the email address, and also be sure to check your spam filter. If you still don’t see the email, contact us at info@cambridgehome.com and we’ll help to resend the card.

You can check the balance on your e-gift card a few different ways. If you have the original email or print out of your gift card, you can simply scan the QR code with a smart device camera to view your card and the current balance. If you have the code for your card, enter it on the checkout page and the amount left on the card will be deducted from your order. Having trouble? Contact us at info@cambridgehome.com and we’ll help.

For customer inquiries regarding recent orders, shipping or processing a return, please email us at info@cambridgehome.com. Please allow 24-48 hours for a team member to get back to you.

Please email your request to: press@cambridgehome.com

Please email your information to: wholesale@cambridgehome.com