Porcelain and China are essentially the same material and are cleaned the same way. There are two things to consider before deciding whether to wash in the dishwasher or by hand. If china or porcelain pre-dates the 1970’s, has gold or silver trim, inlay or has a painted design applied over the glaze it will definitely need to be hand washed. To determine if the paint is over the glaze, run your finger over the design. If you can feel the paint and it has a raised surface then it’s been painted over the glaze and should be hand washed. If your piece is dated after 1980 and you cannot feel any raised areas, then it should be dishwasher safe.

Handwashing:

Handwashing using mild detergent and warm water, then rinse with warm water and air dry or use a soft towel.

Dishwasher:

If you are able to wash in the dishwasher, use an unscented detergent, run on the lowest setting and make sure the dishes are not touching one another.

Discolouration:

If your china or porcelain becomes stained or discoloured you can try the below cleaning tips.

Tip #1:

Make a paste with 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water. Rinse the china/ porcelain and apply paste with a clean sponge or washcloth. Gently rub in a circular motion and then rinse with cool water. To increase strength you could also make the paste with vinegar instead of water.

Tip #2

For more stubborn stains or to remove oil residue, soak your china/ porcelain in a bowl of diluted vinegar for 2-3 hours to soften the stains or soak in a bowl of soapy water for 2-3 hours. Rinse your dish multiple times after soaking and then wipe dry.

Tip #3

To remove food residue on painted china/ porcelain, use a soft rubber scraper or spatula and gently scrape under a stream of warm water.

 

Day to Day Cleaning and Care Tips

• Enameled cookware
• Teak Serveware/ Teak Handles
• IIttala Glass
• Porcelain & China
• Cast Iron