How to Care for Fine China and Your Best Flatware
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It’s important to properly take care of your dinnerware and flatware if you want to keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, most of haven’t had the training to take care of silver, china, and other dinnerware. Here are some helpful hints to assist you in being sure that your tableware remains beautiful.
Hand Washing Antiques
- Hand wash antique or vintage china. Never put it in the dishwasher. This is because it could be fragile from use and age. Instead, scrape plates gently and wash with care in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry, but don’t use abrasives on your china.
- Put a dish towel or rubber mat at the bottom of your sink when washing breakables. This keeps your crystal and dinnerware from being cracked or broken. When washing dishes by hand, wash glasses first, then dinnerware and flatware. Save pans for last.
Most Dinnerware Can Be Machine Washed
- Modern dinnerware can often be washed by machine. Load the dishwasher so that your china isn’t likely to be rubbed by other dishes, and keep flatware away from it. Metal can rub dinnerware, leaving gray streaks.
- If your dinnerware does pick up metallic streaks, a very mild abrasive should be used. Bon Ami is a popular choice. Rinse thoroughly to remove all cleanser. When washing china, do it on the shortest cycle, and avoid lemon detergents.
- When possible, cups should be stored on hooks, and every bowl or plate should be protected from others in the stack by a paper towel, cloth, or dish protector. Earthenware, a low-fire china, can be fragile. If you own stoneware, it will be harder, and porcelain is the most dirable of all. To find out exactly how to care for and store your china, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Plates and cups with metallic trim should never be placed in the microwave or dishwasher - this can damage the machine and the dish. If dishes become damaged or broken, you should talk to your manufacturer or seller to find the missing pieces, or use a china replacement service. When you find out that your pattern line will be discontinued, it’s time to replace missing items and stock up on pieces that break often.
Caring for your dishes properly will help them last longer and continue to beautify your table. It’s important to know as much as you can about your china and flatware to make sure that you treat it well. When in doubt, ask the manufacturer or gently wash and dry by hand.
