Your fine china may have been left to you by your mother, a precious possession for sure, or it may have been a wedding present. Maybe you saved your pennies and shopped until you found just the right set of beautiful dinner service ware to use on special occasions. However, you acquired your fine china, you no doubt take pride in setting on your table and want it to look perfect.
Remember this helpful, common sense tip. Do not allow food to set on your lovely dishes. Wash them soon after completing your meal. First clean off remaining food with a rubber spatula, then rinse, and wash them using warm water with a mild dish detergent and soft sponge, nothing abrasive. Wasn’t that easy?
Protect your dishes from unintentional harsh treatment while washing them by lining your sink with a towel, or using a small plastic tub. Move the spout aside to avoid dinging the chinaware. Do not wear jewelry that might scratch your china. This last tip is helpful also to prevent losing your precious rings down the drain.
Do not stack your dishes in the sink, instead wash them individually, and avoid using hot water, especially on china with a metallic decoration or trim that might flake. Gently slide your china into the water to avoid a quick change in temperature that might crack your china. To remove stubborn, stuck-on food, use baking soda.
China can acquire stains the same as other kitchenware. Normal use can leave marks from knifes or serving spoons. Baking soda to the rescue! Using a damp sponge in a dab of the baking soda, gently rub those annoying marks and remove them. Another surprising remedy might be salt, or your everyday toothpaste used in the same manner. china
You might also like to try soaking your china pieces instead of rubbing them with the baking soda. Mix one-quarter cup to each gallon of hot water and pour the water mixture into your cups or teapot. Let them soak for an hour and then wash as recommended. If your stains turn out to be stubborn, mix about a one-quarter teaspoon of salt with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Scrub your china with this new combination using something soft. Rinse in cool water with one-quarter cup of vinegar added to a gallon.
Allowing your clean dishes to air-dry could result in spots. Instead, rub them with a soft, clean towel.
Prevent coffee or tea stains on your delicate cups by cleaning them soon after your meal. Use a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water, with a drop of ammonia added, and rinse with warm water. Avoid cracking your fine china by adding milk first, or by using a spoon in the cup, and then pouring the hot or coffee over the spoon.
Now you can keep your mother’s fine china looking beautiful for the next generation with these tips that are easy to follow, and using items you probably have around your kitchen.