Inspired by Snowwark: How do you care for your china?

[ratsrule]

What is the best way to clean and maintain your china so it is always at its freshest and best when you have friends over?

 

[CyranoJones]

My china has gold trim so I never put it in the dishwasher. I'm afraid it woud be too harsh. I carefully handwash my good china, and dry it gently with a soft towel. Even though I use it fairly often, I do store it in a separate cabinet away from the everyday stuff. Since my china is about 50 years old (it was my MIL's, lol), I do try to take better care of it. Wouldn't want to start breaking it after all these years.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I know what you mean Cyrano- my china has silver trim, and I'm worried that the dishwasher would just be too tough on it!

I keep mine in a separate china cabinet also, but I don't like for it to just sit up there for people to look at when they come over. I try to use it whenever I can. I have to be careful with the kids, since kids can be so rough on good china...DH is pretty careful with it, although he has been known, when in a hurry, to do a little bit of damage to the good stuff.

All in all, a gentle cleaner and tender loving care should keep the china in good condition for many years to come - I hope to be able to pass mine on to my DD someday.

 

[RUDisney]

Mine has a platinum band and I wash it in the dishwasher after each use. I've never had any problems with it.

 

[shep]

what china??

 

[Tina]

Mine has gold trim. I avoid the dishwasher as well. I always hand wash and dry the china immediately. I also keep it in a separate cabinet - I wish I could say China Cabinet, but I don't have any dining room furniture other than a hand-me-down table and a couple of chairs!! Someday......

 

[Disney Doll]

It goes right into the dishwasher with the other dishes. I don't do anything special with it. It has silver trim, so I assume eventually it'll start to wear off a little, but, oh well. My mother has china from my grandmother that has some of the trim a little worn off, and she doesn't love it any less because o that.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by shep
what china??

Must be the same *china* I hear my 12 and 13 y.o. sons speaking of with friends of the same age.

 

[Meriweather]

I put mine in the dishwasher, light cycle.
It has a gold trim and is 60 years old.
Looks great!!

 

[Jenzebelle]

I have 2 sets of china.
One is able to be subjected to a bit more rough and tumble. I use it for holidays and occasional dinners and just make sure I wash and dry carefully before I put it away.

My other china is very fragile. It belonged to my Great Grandmother, and we don't use it. It's for display only. I would hate for anything to happen to it

 

[suzannen]

I have two sets of good china that I wash in my dishwasher, using the gentle cycle, powder (not gel) detergent and space them. I've never had a problem. One set has a gold rim and it's not been damaged in the least with over 25 years of use.

I do have a set of 1800s English plates that I always wash by hand and I also hand wash my crystal - the stems are so long, they won't fit into my dishwasher.

 

[Cindy B]

My one set is handpainted from Italy, and my aunt who purchased it for us.. stated.. the merchant told her hand wash, towel /air dry only.


But I found a sticker on the bottom of the creamer... and it says dishwasher safe..

We've always hand washed. The plates, especially the serving platter is too big for the dishwasher.

 

[Bumbles]

I wrap mine in towels I steal from hotels

 

[caitycaity]

LOL Bumbles!

i also handwash my good china.

 

[gepetto]

LOL Bumbles

You can never be too careful with your china.