Do's and don'ts when washing old treasures
Vintage porcelain, silver and glass need to be washed differently from IKEA plates. Here's what we've learned the hard way.
We've washed up a lot over the years. Including a lot we shouldn't have put in the dishwasher. Here are some rules we now live by.
Do Wash vintage porcelain by hand, in lukewarm water, with a soft sponge. Let it drip dry on a tea towel. Silver cutlery should be towel-dried right away — water spots set in minutes.
Don't Never put hand-painted or transferware porcelain in the dishwasher. It's not the machine's fault — it's the heat and the aggressive detergent that eat the decoration over time. It starts as matte patches and ends with the pattern lifting off.
Murano and crystal glass Wash them one at a time in a basin with a tea towel at the bottom. It's the clinking together that breaks them — not the water. Use minimal soap and rinse well.
Silver If a piece of silver has tarnished, don't rub it. Put it in a bowl of hot water with a piece of aluminium foil and a tablespoon of salt. The tarnish lifts on its own. It's chemistry, not magic.
