It’s important to properly take care of your dinnerware and flatware if you want to keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, most of haven’t had the training to take care of silver, china, and other dinnerware. Here are some helpful hints to assist you in being sure that your tableware remains beautiful.

Hand Wash Vintage and Antiques

- Antique and vintage china must be washed by hand, never in the dishwasher. Age and use can make these pieces fragile, so they should be gently scraped and carefully washed in warm water with a little soap. Rinse them thoroughly and air dry. Never use harsh cleansers, lemon detergents, or abrasive cleaners on fine china.

- Placing a rubber mat or dish towel at the bottom of the sink when you wash your dinnerware and crystal will keep them from cracking or breaking. If you’re washing dishes by hand, start with glasses, and follow with dinnerware, flatware, and pots and pans.

Most Dinnerware Can Be Machine Washed

- Dinnerware that’s not vintage or antique can usually be machine washed. However, you should take care to load the dish washer so that the china won’t be rubbed by other dishes. Flatware should be washed away from fine china, because it can leave gray streaks on the surface.

-If an accident causes your dishes to develop gray marks, a very mild abrasive is appropriate. Be sure to rinse afterward to remove all traces. In the dishwasher, washing on the shortest cycle will prevent damage. However, you should never use a lemon detergent - it can cause damage to your fine dinnerware.

- If you can, hang cups on hooks for storage, and place a paper towel, dish protector, or cloth between each bowl or plate. Remember that earthenware is a low temperature china and may be fragile. Stoneware is often harder, and porcelain is the hardest. Check manufacturer’s specifications to find out how to take care of your china.

- If a plate or cup has metal trim, it should never be put in the microwave or dishwasher. That’s because these trims can cause problems in these machines. If a dish is damaged or broken, talk to the manufacturer or retailer, or use a china replacement service to help you. If you get notice that your pattern is going to be discontinued, you may wish to quickly replace any items you’re missing.

Proper care and maintenance of your dishes will make sure that they last a lot longer. Knowing as much as you can about your dinnerware and silver will help you treat it correctly. If you’re not sure what to do, talk to the manufacturer, or wash and dry as gently as possible - by hand.