Taking Care of your Fine China
Taking care of your fine china is not as daunting as it once was. Years ago, when dishwashers didn’t have the settings they do today, it was considered a huge no no to do anything but carefully hand wash each piece and carefully dry. Today, bone china dinnerware patterns are designed to be cleaned in the newer dishwashers on the “gentle” or “china” cycle. Yes, your grandmother might shudder at the thought, but dishwashers can be fine as long as you follow some careful procedures.
1. Use a liquid detergent as opposed to the harsher and more abrasive powder detergent.
2. Never wash your bone china in hot water. If possible, take your dishwasher off the hot dry cycle. If you have a pattern that has a metal trim, the hot water can cause the metal to chip away.
3. Stack accordingly. Teacups or pieces with handles should be placed carefully on the top rack. Keep plates and other bone china carefully spaced so it cannot bump into each other.
4. Make sure china is cool before unloading.
While dishwashing is safe for most china, you will want to avoid putting in pieces that show any cracking or those fine, spidery surface cracks that can appear in the glaze.
For many, the thought of putting a precious heirloom or any piece of fine china in a dishwasher is unfathomable. Therefore, when hand washing, follow these simple yet effective steps.
1. Line the sink with a soft towel or rubber mat. Do not use wool scrubbing pads but rather a soft sponge or cloth.
2. Use only warm water and slide the china into the water so the temperature can distribute evenly. Keep in mind that sudden temperature change can crack china. Carefully rinse and hand dry. If you are stacking your dishes, use felt pads or even coffee filters to separate dishes and avoid damage.
Bone china is extremely strong and will keep food and hot beverages warmer longer. But like other dinnerware, it can stain. With careful precaution and care you can protect your dishes by rinsing shortly after use. If coffee or tea stains are present, use a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide, three parts water and only a drop of household ammonia shortly after use to avoid stain buildups. Carefully rinse with warm water. Others suggest using diluted bleach. Again, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
But what if you pull out your bone china, ready to use for a special occasion, and you discover stains that are set in? Don’t despair as these steps may help:
1. Rub carefully a tiny bit of baking soda or salt with a gentle cloth on the stain.
2. Many suggest the use of cream tartar on a damp sponge while rubbing gently is a proven winner.
3. For hard water stains, place the china in warm water (again, never hot!) with lemon, grapefruit or orange rinds.
4. Does your bone china have those spidery surface cracks? To minimize those markings, place your china in a pan of warm milk for approximately 30 minutes.
Finally, when washing is done, it is time to carefully store your fine china. Never place china in a box in either a cold basement or hot attic, which can cause dishes to crack. Store in moderate room temperatures. As mentioned, stack your dishes carefully and separate each piece by using paper towels or foam packets.
