How To Wash & Care For Fine China Dishes

Hairline Crack Repair:

• Soak the china in warm milk overnight. Gently hand wash in warm water with mild dish detergent.

Grey or Black Cutlery Markings:

• Dab a damp sponge in baking soda and rub the marks gently. You could also try regular toothpaste.

Removing Stains in China:

• Mix 50/50 table salt and household vinegar. Allow to soak on stain then wash.
• Mix a paste of baking soda and water, apply to stain and gently rub. Wash.

Extreme Stain Removal

Peroxide is recommended again and again by the pros. Here are some good clips I found explaining the process–depending on the damage this could take weeks:

*Found on the eBay Forums

I use 30 or 40% volume cream peroxide from the Beauty Supply Store ~ costs
about $3-$4 for a large bottle. I immerse small items, as it doesn’t seem to hurt the transfer, or on larger ones, I just ‘baste’ for a few days and it comes right out. Be sure to soak it in water for quite a bit, after the stain has lifted and you have washed the peroxide off ~ just to be sure that none remains or gets under the glaze if there is crazing. It has worked for me over and over again, with no adverse results!

I run the china under Hot water then put some cream peroxide with a teaspoon of ammonia right Inside the bowl than spread around and put in a plastic bag and seal. You can make sure the peroxide covers the piece by smearing around with your hand on the outside of the plastic. This should take about a day to remove the stain.

Or, just put the bowl in any large container full of peroxide and tad of Ammonia and let is soak.

How To Wash China Dishes

• Wash the dishes shortly after the meal, do not allow to sit dirty (especially overnight).
• Place a thick towel on the bottom of kitchen sink and fill with warm water, add mild liquid dishwashing detergent. Push tap aside so that there is no chance of bumping it with a dish. Remove all jewelry on your hands to prevent damage to the dishes.
• Wash one dish at a time. Clean the dishes with a sponge or cloth only, do not use anything abrasive.
• For tough spots, drizzle a bit of the liquid dish detergent on the sponge and scrub gently. You can also try a little bit of baking soda on the sponge.

Dish Detergents: Use Ivory or Dawn or a similar *mild* liquid dishwashing detergent.

Use Bleach? No because it can cause irreparable damage to the glaze on the china.

Can you wash fine china in the dishwasher? Generally no, the heat is too high and the detergents too abrasive. If the china was manufactured within the past 30 years or so, and is specifically stated to be dishwasher safe by the manufacturer, it’s alright to use the dishwasher.

Drying: Air dry then give a finishing rub down with soft, clean towels. You could also towel dry, make sure the towels are soft and clean.

Storing China: Place cloth napkins, paper towels or doilies between each stacked dish to prevent scratching or damage. Do not stack or hang teacups. If china is used less than once a year, do an annual washing and cleaning to help preserve the glaze and paint.

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