How to Care for China Dishes

After receiving the china you hand picked for your wedding registry, you may be excited to use it. Or you may have recently inherited heirloom china from your mother or grandmother. Whatever china you own, you need to learn how to properly clean and care for these delicate pieces so they last longer than a lifetime. Unlike regular dishes, the delicate material of special china is easily chipped or damaged if not properly handled. China dishes cannot withstand hot temperature changes, harsh detergents, and scratchy sponges. Here is the proper way to wash china and keep fine china stored safely.

Washing China

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Rinse your china immediately following the meal to avoid stains, particularly if the food was acidic. Before you wash china, take off leftover food with a rubber spatula. Don't use heavy sponges and silverware because they may scratch the plates or leave gray marks.

Rather than stacking china in the sink to wash, line the bottom of your sink with a soft dish towel. This will prevent your dishes from hitting the walls and bottom of the sink and adding scratches and dings. Add warm water and detergent to the sink. If you are washing the cups, wash them in a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide, three parts water, with a drop of household ammonia. Avoid using hot water or pouring detergent directly on the china because it can cause your china to crack or break, and even take off the precious metal trim. Carefully wash one china dish at a time using a soft dish cloth or soft sponge. Rinse with warm water. Hand dry your china with a towel to prevent spots from air drying.

Storage

Once your dishes are washed and dried, you can store them. Avoid stacking too many dishes on top of each other; place a round of felt, rubber jar rings, a towel, or anything similar between each stacked plate to prevent scratches. Never stack china cups or hang them from their handles. The best way to store china is lined on a shelf in a moderate temperature room in your home. Leaving dishes in a cold basement or hot attic may cause them to break or crack.

Replacement

If your china does become cracked or broken and cannot be fixed, consider buying a replacement. If the set is relatively new, you can order a dish from the manufacturer or the store you bought it from. If the set has been discontinued, you can still easily find the replacement china dish by looking it up online through china replacement services.

By following these tips for caring for your china, it will last for the years of entertaining ahead and can become an heirloom you pass on through the family.

How to Care for China Dishes

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